《The Black Book: Seven Deadly Sins》 Chapter 1 - 1: People Live To Eat "Bo''er Bo''er Chicken, one yuan per skewer of Bo''er Bo''er Chicken~" The enchanting sales pitch drilled into his eardrums. Zhu Haomiao sat dumbfounded at the street corner, watching the bustling snack stalls on the crowded street, looking somewhat dazed. It''s been several months since he was reborn into this uncertain world, but he sometimes still feels like he''s back on the prosperous and peaceful Earth of his previous life. Good news: He''s time-traveled! Bad news: This world is not right! Even worse news: He himself is not quite right! "Alas..." With a long sigh, he patted his round belly, the aroma of smoke and fire filling the air around him, invading his nostrils with every breath. The delicious scent, like living beings, wormed their way into his nose, making his hungry stomach even more unbearable. Though his stomach was full, he still felt extremely hungry, the kind that clawed at his heart and scratched at his liver! Gulp~ He involuntarily swallowed his saliva and clenched his teeth tightly, secretly fierce in his heart. No more eating! Twenty minutes ago, he had just finished four pounds of rice, seven meat dishes, eight vegetable dishes, two bowls of egg drop soup, and three chicken legs! All of it was stuffed up to his throat! And now he wants to eat again?! Even a pig would call out how skilled he is! Gritting his teeth and giving himself a motivational pep talk, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath to stand up, but the rich aroma that filled his nose caused him to pause. The crispy pancakes, the salty and fresh grilled squid, the beef patties... grilled lamb skewers... braised dishes... At this moment, the entire street of snacks united to deliver a fatal blow, shaking his already weak willpower to its core. Sniff sniff~ I''ll just smell it, I won''t eat¡­ The starving young man involuntarily closed his eyes, slightly stretching his neck, greedily inhaling the aroma permeating the air. The beef patties right out of the pan smelled so good¡­ The braised dishes at the street corner also tasted wonderful¡­ Oh!! This sweet flavor! It''s the "Giant Taro Ball Bobbo Red Bean Pudding Coconut Jelly Pearl Milk Tea" from that milk tea shop next door! Just thinking about the thick, satisfying texture like eight-treasure porridge made Zhu Haomiao''s mouth uncontrollably salivate. Gulp~ Swallowing again, Zhu Haomiao smacked his lips, as if savoring the sweet taste from a distance. Then, as he opened his eyes, he saw a cup of "Giant Taro Ball Bobbo Red Bean Pudding Coconut Jelly Pearl Milk Tea" standing right in front of him! "..." His gaze slowly moved upward, meeting a pair of surprised, bewildered eyes. It was a beautiful woman so stunning she seemed like a product of special effects. As she suppressed a giggle, Zhu Haomiao''s heart skipped a beat, as if countless flowers bloomed behind her, and the whole world reduced to only her unparalleled beautiful smile. Subsequently, a violent, wicked fire surged from his heart, filling his mind with unspeakable wicked desires, urging him to follow his most primal beast instincts. XX her! Right here and now, XX her! His entire body trembled as he detected the twisted desire in his heart. Zhu Haomiao quickly diverted his gaze from the woman back to the bulky cup of "Giant Taro Ball Bobbo Red Bean Pudding Coconut Jelly Pearl Milk Tea" in her hand. Calmness! Women only slow down my eating speed! Forcing himself to shift focus, the relentless hunger rapidly suppressed the wicked fire in his heart, while also leading Zhu Haomiao to an awkward realization. He looked like a greedy dog, stretching its neck to sniff at the milk tea in her hand!! Embarrassed, "his old face" flushed red as the crouched young man quickly stood up, awkwardly cleared his throat twice, and pretended to be busy taking in the scenery. On the other side, noticing the slight redness in the young man''s ears, the deep astonishment and vigilance in Ye Wan Ning''s eyes gradually faded, her tensed muscles relaxed, and the wild spiritual energy barely contained between her brows receded, she lightly chuckled with interest. This young man... quite interesting¡­ Like a masterpiece carefully crafted by the creator, her moist almond eyes shimmered, turning into crescents with her smile. Her pure yet enchanting gaze seemed to pull threads from the air; just catching her eye from the corner made Zhu Haomiao go weak, his whole body softening, except for one part hardening. Feeling the wicked fire rekindle in his heart, Zhu Haomiao fearfully took half a step back. Did this woman''s eyes contain sugar?! Why is it so seductive? So frightening! But following the boy''s movement, Ye Wan Ning curiously blinked, raising her fine eyebrows. Are you seriously taking a half-step back? With her innate extraordinary charm, almost no one from childhood to adulthood had ever refused her cordial advances. This was her first time encountering a mortal showing clear resistance. Plus, considering the odd traits the boy displayed, Ye Wan Ning squinted her eyes in interest, curling a "devilish, arrogant" smile. Hehe, little kid, you''ve successfully drawn your sister''s interest! Admittedly, some people''s misaligned mouth resembles the Dragon King, yet even with a Nike swoosh of the mouth they remain as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal. As Zhu Haomiao marveled at her divine looks, he vaguely sensed something off about her mental state, as though she was a bit unstable. On the other side, Ye Wan Ning''s mind was echoing with the plot of a domineering romantic novel. She took a step forward, but before she could speak, the boy opposite her, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, jumped back two steps, eyeing her with cautious wariness. Don''t come over!! When I get angry, even I frighten myself!! Seeing the boy''s cat-like reaction, Ye Wan Ning was torn between laughter and tears, having to temporarily abandon her intention to make conversation. After contemplating for a moment, before he could react, she suddenly dashed forward and unceremoniously shoved the cup of "Giant Taro Ball Bobbo Red Bean Pudding Coconut Jelly Pearl Milk Tea" into his hands. "You''re welcome." With an unapologetically crooked smile, Ye Wan Ning stylishly flicked her hair and left, feeling her poise leaking out all over, exuding an unmatched charisma. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao stood dumbfounded, holding the large cup of milk tea awkwardly. "..." Folks, who understands this? I''m just sitting at the roadside when suddenly a weird girl runs up and thrusts a cup of milk tea at me! And it''s the kind that''s already been tasted! S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the faint trace of lipstick on the straw, Zhu Haomiao really wanted to show his noble character by refusing a handout, but he couldn''t resist his unusually sensitive sense of smell that kept narrating how sweet and fragrant the milk tea was. Gurgle gurgle~ His stomach rumbled just on time, and the boy forcibly shifted his gaze from the milk tea to the stunning beauty striding gracefully away. He then watched helplessly as she nestled into the arms of a dashing, tall figure. In the generally tall northern region, that slender figure still stood out, his chiseled features deep and pronounced, possessing both masculine handsomeness and feminine delicacy. A long wolf tail braid hung behind his head, the whole person like an unsheathed treasure sword, an aura of heroism striking from afar. With "affectionate indulgence", he looked at the woman cuddling cutely in his arms and with a volume barely audible to bystanders, chuckled as he spoke. "Oil, you''re being too obvious." "Acting requires full execution; you wouldn''t want to be hit on all day, would you?" "..." "Someone nearby is getting restless already, quick, smile a bit gentler." "Hehe." Ten meters away, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t hear their conversation, only seeing them looking deeply into each other''s eyes, gazes "passionate and lingering". Uncontainable jealousy and bitterness spread in his heart. The boy''s breath became progressively ragged, and his eyes gradually distorted. Suddenly as if sensing Zhu Haomiao''s gaze, the man lifted his eyes for a slight glance. Chapter 2 - 2: Jealousy and Anger The piercing gaze seemed to condense into a tangible cold light, stabbing instantly into Zhu Haomiao''s heart, making him subconsciously want to lower his head to avoid it. But at the same time, a mixture of complex and bizarre violent emotions surged into his mind, supporting the young man to stare back without showing weakness. After several seconds, the other party politely nodded slightly as a farewell, pulled away by the woman holding his arm. Staring intently at the gradually disappearing backs of the two, Zhu Haomiao''s expression involuntarily twisted into a grimace. His eyes burned with resentment, rage, unwillingness, and jealousy, erupting like a volcano. That woman is mine! All mine!! Damn pretty boy, I''ll tear you to pieces!! His heavy breathing halted suddenly. Detecting his own abnormality, Zhu Haomiao quickly suppressed the evil fire within, his pupils gradually restoring clarity. The inexplicable extreme emotions came and went quickly. Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath with a grim face, carefully recalling the various bizarre inner activities in recent times. Something''s not right! Absolutely not right! In the past, seeing these high-value fashionable couples, he would at most joke about representing the FFF group to burn them. But now, he genuinely wanted to kill the guy with cruel and bloody means, then get the woman and... again and again! Such thoughts are ridiculously nonsensical! They are a perfect match of talent and beauty, who am I as a monster to oppose them? What''s even scarier is that these extreme emotions have noticeably worsened over the past few months, breaking out more strongly and frequently. Even the jealousy and hatred that once flickered only in the subconscious have been infinitely magnified. Monsters once suppressed by rational intellect in the deepest parts of the consciousness sea are constantly restless, eager to break free and unleash the most primal beastly instincts. Taking a slow and deep breath, Zhu Haomiao calmed the turmoil within, worriedly furrowing his brows. Is it because of the crossing? Or is it the influence of this strange world''s supernatural powers? Should I go to the hospital''s Zhu You Department to check again? sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But nothing was found in the last check... The only thing they found was malnutrition... Ridiculous, even any mammal with eyes could see I''m malnourished! With mixed thoughts in his mind, suddenly a voice interrupted his reverie. "Hey, kid, you can''t just eat things from strangers, okay? Come, give me the milk tea in your hand and take the money to buy something nice~" Looking at the hundred-yuan banknote handed to him, Zhu Haomiao felt a surge of heat inside, a greed rising. He almost instinctively reached for the money, but then instantly snapped back to his senses, losing even the interest in drinking milk tea. Ignoring the young man in front, he walked straight to the trash can, leaving behind an awkward figure holding up the money. "....." Damn it, kids these days really have no manners! The young man grinded his teeth, a trace of anger flashing in his eyes. He reached out to grab Zhu Haomiao''s arm. "Hey, I''m talking to you! Did you hear?!" Pa~ Just as he was about to throw the milk tea into the trash, his arm was pulled back, causing Zhu Haomiao to turn around and glance up and down at the somewhat flustered young man. Is this guy sick? Insistent on picking up someone''s half-drunk milk tea?! Are you greedy for the milk tea? You''re greedy for the straw someone else bit! You''re lowly! Instinctively capturing the other''s true "desire," Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes, showing a hint of undisguised disdain. On the other hand, being swept by those disdainful, contemptuous gazes back and forth, the young man, seemingly understanding the intent, became embarrassed and angry, his evil fire rising sharply. However, with his mind full of his own "condition", Zhu Haomiao had no mood to deal with him, impatiently furrowing his brows. "Let go." The disdainful gaze and commanding tone made the young man laugh in anger, his fury ignited by some unknown force, erupting like a volcano. You''re pulling what strings now? He no longer cared about the milk tea, determined to teach the kid in front of him a lesson, rip that arrogant expression off his face, and see him beg for mercy! "Heh." A snicker, the young man looked provocatively at Zhu Haomiao, not letting go, his fingers slowly clenching. "When an adult talks to you, you should listen obediently and show respect, got it?" Feeling the increasing pain in his arm, Zhu Haomiao''s previously calmed heart surged with waves again, violent and thick rage like magma gushing through his veins, charging towards his brain, roaring to break rational boundaries. "Phew~" His mind began to heat up, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, suppressing the anger, and repeated in as calm and friendly a tone as possible. "Let go." Still that condescending command, the young man was slightly stunned, not understanding why the kid in front was so "uncooperative?" Could squash you like a bug, and you''re still acting so cocky? Who gave you the courage? Do you really think people outside are like your parents, unconditionally pampering you? If not for worrying about his reputation, the young man really wanted to beat the annoying brat in front relentlessly, until he cried and begged for mercy, then say: "I still liked your defiant look just now." But the young man knew his wish was destined to be unfulfilled. Because the arm in his hand was as thin as a twig, it seemed it would snap with a light squeeze. Just causing pain required careful restraint, let alone a harsh beating. With his strength, a single punch and he''d be begging the kid not to die! He even had to actively control his force, fearing truly causing harm to the other. If not, it might spread that a Central Supernatural Academy student bullied the young, mistreating kids, and he''d be socially dead for life! Yet, waiting for two seconds without the young man loosening his grip, the irritable, angry emotions in Zhu Haomiao could no longer be contained, violently jerking his arm. Pa~ A burst of violent strength came from his hand, making the young man feel like he was holding onto an elephant. The irresistible strange force instantly broke free, almost throwing him off. Stumbling a couple of steps to stabilize himself, the young man looked up incredulously at the slender, thin boy, unable to understand where that twig-like body stored such abundant strange power? No, I must have been careless, must have overlooked! On the other side, impatiently glancing at the young man, Zhu Haomiao casually tossed the milk tea into the trash, unaware the unintentional contempt and superiority in his gaze deeply pierced the young man''s heart. "Good, good, good¡­" Noticing the interest from surrounding onlookers because of their stalemate, the young man forcefully suppressed the anger, revealing a cold and twisted smile. Chapter 3 - 3: Curiosity Killed the Cat "Kid, we''ll see about that." With that, the young man turned and walked away, his fist clenched so tightly it made cracking sounds. "What''s his problem..." Watching the other''s tense back, Zhu Haomiao muttered a complaint and quickly put the matter out of his mind. Right now, what''s most important is to figure out the reason for his emotional turmoil; those neurotic thoughts are definitely not his true feelings! But... it seems like it''s getting more and more out of control! If this keeps up, he''s really afraid he might do something outrageous! ......... At the other end of the snack street, a handsome couple strolled leisurely, occasionally picking and choosing at the roadside stalls. "Cangcang, this hairpin is so pretty!" On tiptoe, Ye Wan Ning picked up an exquisite hair stick and inserted it into Li Cang''s wolf tail braid, propped her chin and observed from left to right, nodding in satisfaction. "Nice, nice, switch back to female attire and you''ll absolutely charm everyone!" On the other side, Li Cang rolled his eyes helplessly, silently enduring his friend''s antics. "This ear cuff is so cool, won''t you wear it and dazzle those little fawny things?" "And this necklace..." "Eh?" S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A moment later, noticing her friend had stopped moving and was looking back in confusion, Li Cang followed her gaze but saw nothing. "What''s up?" "Strange, the little tail is gone." "You mean your stalker fans? Are they tailing you today too?" Trying to look into the distance, only to see overlapping shadows of people, Li Cang shook his head helplessly. "Sensing isn''t my forte, I can''t find them." "There''s only one today, probably ran into me by chance. I tried hard to keep away from them during my break in the real world, but still got spotted, so unlucky... I''m telling you, they even dig through the garbage bins outside our neighborhood, I can''t imagine what they do with it! Yuck... so gross!" As if recalling something dirty, Ye Wan Ning shivered, retracting her gaze, teeth clenched. "One day, I''m going to uproot that stupid [Ning Love Forever] support club of theirs!" "A bunch of lunatics, if they''ve got nothing to do, go chew on a lighter. So many celebrities and they stick to me every day, why?" "If they''re really thirsty, go watch female streamers dance provocatively!" Listening to her friend''s fierce yet adorable complaints, Li Cang''s expressionless lips curled slightly into a smile. "Most of them are mortals who haven''t ascended or transcendent beings at the Initial Heavenly Position. It''s normal that they can''t resist your supernatural charm. Once you have better control, you''ll naturally be able to contain it..." "Easy for you to say, both of us are top-level in God''s Destiny. The speed at which our powers grow far exceeds that of our control, and after so many years, I''ve always been overflowing with Extraordinary Power. Who knows when I''ll return to the basics!" Spreading her hands, gazing at her pink and flawless palms, Ye Wan Ning slumped her shoulders in frustration. "Oil, you can''t be too Versailles, or else you''ll get beaten..." Ruffling her friend''s hair, Li Cang kept a straight face but teased lightly. Pa~ Annoyed, she slapped away the hand on her head, Ye Wan Ning glared at her friend, turning to gaze into the distance. "But today''s guy was smart enough to stop halfway. If he hides in dark corners peeping at me again, I''ll control him to streak in the streets and taste the feeling of social death!" Upon hearing this, Li Cang softly flexed his long, slender fingers, calming her gently, "Abusing transcendent power will get you disciplined, let me do it instead..." "Wow~ Little Lizi is bursting with boyfriend power! So manly~~~ I love it~" "Sorry, I like men." "Come on, it''s the 21st century, don''t be so rigid about gender. Besides, those guys know how to turn into catgirls to please their bros first. Don''t you have any awareness? Are you even a good buddy?" Faced with her friend''s mischievous teasing, Li Cang painfully pinched his brow, subtly steering the conversation elsewhere. "By the way, why did you give your milk tea to someone earlier? Was there something special about that kid?" Mentioning this, Ye Wan Ning suddenly became interested. "Don''t you think that kid was interesting? Like a young husky, obviously drooling with craving, yet his eyes were honest and ''wise,'' you can tell he''s pure!" With a light laugh, casually teasing a couple of sentences, Ye Wan Ning shifted her tone. "However, there''s indeed something special about him..." Hearing this, Li Cang nodded in agreement. "For someone with a mortal mind to meet my gaze directly, that kid was indeed brave." "No, I didn''t mean that, but something deeper..." Pausing, Ye Wan Ning pondered for a moment, then murmured with uncertainty. "I couldn''t sense his emotions, nor detect his thoughts. Such a situation, I''ve only encountered with legends whose Divine Thought surpasses mine. Yet, even with those strong ones, I could vaguely sense their presence at close range, but that kid is different..." "He''s like a black hole, swallowing my senses. Before he stuck his neck out to sniff the milk tea, I hadn''t even noticed his presence!" "He was less than half a meter away from me at the time, it scared me so much my hand shook a little!" "Imagine something unknown suddenly popping up right in front of your face from within visible range, do you know how frightening and horrifying that feels?" Seeing her friend''s scared expression, Li Cang was momentarily silent before saying, "Humans have eyes, you''re too reliant on supernatural perception." "..." "You''re the one who''s blind!" Pa~ Annoyed, she slapped her friend, but her eyes shimmered with both gravity and excitement. "What''s more crucial is, I''m afraid to probe into his heart. My Spiritual Sense tells me there''s something very dangerous in there, something I should stay away from him for..." Noticing the excitement in his friend''s eyes, Li Cang knew this guy''s curiosity was piqued and thus adopted a more serious demeanor. "Oil, curiosity killed the cat." "Relax, I''ve got a measure, and besides, that kid is also a student of Central Super. As his senior, it''s reasonable for us to get closer to a junior, right?" "Hmm? He looks no older than middle school age; I''d believe it if you said he was in elementary school. Are you sure he''s a student at Central Super?" "Absolutely! I saw a glimpse of his student ID inside his jacket, the last character of his name is... hmm... how do you pronounce that character with three water radicals stacked together?" "Miao, in the third tone, it describes the vast and mighty appearance of water." "Tsk tsk, it seems our little junior is quite ''smooth,'' good! Senior likes them supple!" Listening to his friend''s bold words and watching her excitedly rub her hands like a fly, Li Cang shook his head helplessly and stopped advising her, yet deep down, a sliver of unease lingered. But, since he''s a junior from Central Super, and it''s just normal interaction, there shouldn''t be any problem... right? Chapter 4 - 4: The Limit The sun is setting in the west. A small, thin figure lazily strolls around the campus, when suddenly, a shrill scream pierces the air not far away. "No! Senior Brother, that''s my dinner!!" Immediately, a Chinese rural dog with a tawny coat dashes past Zhu Haomiao, carrying a takeout box in its mouth with brisk steps. Behind it, a male student rolls and crawls, chasing while shouting. His cry of anguish is like the wailing of a cuckoo, evoking sorrow in those who hear it, drawing tears from listeners. It''s obvious he really needs that box of takeout. "Tsk tsk, worthy of a vengeful Senior Brother... A grudge for the egg broken, an irreconcilable enmity, lucky for me I''m not living in that dorm..." Watching the man and dog disappear around the corner, Zhu Haomiao grins with schadenfreude. Then, as if remembering something, he turns and heads to a small nearby store, buying a pure meat sausage. After several twists and turns, Zhu Haomiao arrives at a secluded corner of the campus and gently calls out to the bushes in the green area. "Meow~" Soon, there''s a response from the bushes, and a beautiful tricolor cat pokes its head out, acting cute towards the boy. Behind the tricolor cat, several little kittens still unweaned peek timidly from the grass, cautiously observing their surroundings. "Third Senior Sister, I heard this is your fourth litter. Once these ones grow up, shall we go for spaying?" Hugging the tricolor cat into his arms, Zhu Haomiao unwraps the sausage, breaking it into small pieces to feed it. "Meow~" "Good, I knew you''d agree. Neutering is good, it gets rid of worldly desires." Watching the pretty little female cat eating gracefully, Zhu Haomiao gently strokes its smooth and soft fur, suddenly a rebellious thought flashes through his mind. "Hmm?" Coming back to his senses, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils slowly dilate. He takes a deep breath, feeling a chill run from his tailbone straight to the top of his skull, utterly shocked by his own rebellious thought. No way, am I really so desperate now that I''m not even particular about humans? Rebellious, indeed!!! Poor innocent cat! In his heart, he gives himself a hefty slap, biting his lips with a grim expression, madly working on psychological consolation. A person''s XP can be down-to-earth, but it mustn''t be down to hell! My standards aren''t high, at least the target has to be a human, right? Right, got to specify the gender too, at least a woman, preferably pretty, like the eye-catching lady I met this afternoon. But the moment he thinks about that lady, the next image that flashes into Zhu Haomiao''s mind is her in another man''s embrace, a distorted, jealous sense of possessiveness swelling in his heart. Why?! What good is that damn pretty boy? Isn''t it just that he''s slightly more handsome, slightly taller, slightly more distinguished in temperament... Damn it... I really can''t compare! Looking down at his own skinny, short, and poor body, the more Zhu Haomiao thinks, the angrier he gets. Even his only source of pride, his delicate face, is utterly defeated by someone else''s divine good looks! Damn, why are there such assholes in the world, may he be constipated for life! "Meow?" Noticing the boy''s gradually destabilizing emotions, the tricolor cat that was focused on eating looks up and meows questioningly. "It''s nothing." Forcing a strained smile, Zhu Haomiao gently strokes its fur. The silky touch on his hands suppresses the surging twisted emotions, his heart gradually regaining calm. The eruptions of extreme emotions are becoming more frequent and intense; it can''t be delayed any longer... Zhu Haomiao stares gravely, contemplating how to dismantle the psychological time bomb. He can clearly feel that he''s like a volcano reaching its limit, just needing a pinhole-sized break to let the violent emotions suppressed by rationality erupt! These twisted, evil, brutal desires won''t just destroy others; they''ll destroy him as well! Even if his body survives that time, his soul definitely won''t be his own anymore! After all, cats are so cute! This is too abstract! Thinking of himself being dominated by desire, indiscriminate across species, Zhu Haomiao shivers, his gaze suddenly becoming firm and resolute. No! Absolutely not! I''d rather bash my head in! Whoosh~ Just then, a sound tears through the air from behind. By the time Zhu Haomiao realizes it, it''s too late, his head hit by something resembling a water balloon, a warm sweet liquid spilling out, splattering all over him in an instant. Ow~ The startled tricolor cat in his arms darts away, leading the kittens quickly disappearing into the bushes. Only now did Zhu Haomiao see that it was a cup of milk tea that hit him, the kind he''d thrown away earlier in the afternoon. "Tsk tsk, originally I thought you were a nearby middle schooler, but it turns out you''re a student of Central Super. Looks like you just have a youthful face. Now I don''t have to hold back." Not far behind, a malicious cold laugh echoes, as Zhu Haomiao turns to see the young man he encountered earlier, the emotions he''d suppressed to the limit spiraling out of control, a sinister and violent glint flashing in the depths of his dark, lowered pupils. Don''t come any closer... I... I''m close to my limit... However, completely oblivious to the boy''s abnormal state, the young man approaches slowly with a sense of pressure, a sinister smile hanging on his face. Stopping in front of Zhu Haomiao, the young man slaps his face, asking mockingly, "Junior, Senior Brother graciously offered you milk tea, why didn''t you catch it?" Noticing the boy''s breathing gradually becoming labored, his body "trembling" in fear, incapable of facing him directly, the young man feels an immense sense of satisfaction. "Weren''t you so arrogant this afternoon? What are you afraid of? At most, I''ll just beat you up a bit, have you lick up the milk tea from the floor little by little, not doing anything excessive..." Looking down from above, seeing the boy''s increasingly trembling body, "in fear" to the point of not meeting his gaze, the young man feels utmost happiness, slapping him harder on the cheek, speaking the words held back for so long. "Tsk, I preferred your defiant demeanor from before..." The taunting smile abruptly vanishes from his face, as a kick from the young man hits Zhu Haomiao''s stomach, the immense strength sending his small body flying a meter away, trembling as he sprawls on the ground. "A dog without proper upbringing, today Senior Brother will give you a free lesson: respect your seniors, respect the strong, don''t flaunt your spoiled attitude, nobody in society will indulge you." Watching Zhu Haomiao with bowed head, painfully and slowly standing up, the young man walks over, only to hear a whisper as faint as a mosquito''s hum. "Run away..." "What?" "Run away quickly..." "You can''t escape now." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing Zhu Haomiao''s words clearly, the young man can''t help but sneer, but in the very next second, his sneer freezes on his face. Chapter 5 - 5: Explosion The boy''s head, which had been hanging low, suddenly lifted. There was none of the expected timidity, fear, or terror. Hidden beneath the shadows, his pupils were like those of a giant carnivorous beast, glinting with a savage and twisted red light. The black, writhing veins twisted and spread beneath the skin like small snakes, climbing upwards from the boy''s neck at a visible speed, forming a network of blue veins on his face that resembled tree roots. "I...told you...to run..." A growling, suppressed in pain, rose from a weak murmur to a loud roar, not at all like a sound a human could make, but more like the deep, brutal growl of a giant carnivorous animal. The extremely penetrating sound waves even made the young man''s internal organs vibrate. He instinctively wanted to retreat, but the backward motion caused the "monster" in front of him to spring up in an instant. Whoosh~ As if skipping the intermediate steps, Zhu Haomiao instantly shifted from stillness to extreme motion, covering the less than two-meter distance in a flash, his five fingers, claw-like, aiming straight for the young man''s face. The young man dodged backward on reflex, raising his hand to block, planting his feet firmly on the ground, and using Zhu Haomiao''s force to propel himself backward. Sensing his strength had not fully connected, Zhu Haomiao''s five fingers hooked like talons, and he tore downward fiercely. Rip~ The young man''s sleeve, along with skin and flesh, was torn away, leaving five deep bloody grooves on his arm. Flipping over and bracing against the ground, the young man, ignoring the intense pain in his arm, stared in disbelief at the thin silhouette not far away. The afternoon escape wasn''t due to carelessness! That dry, thin shell harbored power beyond the physical laws of the real world! In an instant, a terrifying guess surfaced in his mind. Supernatural power! Transcendent! And not just an Initial Heavenly Position Transcendent, at least a Middle Heavenly Position... Only a life level of Middle Heavenly Position would differ greatly from mortals in the real world, with transcendent power seeping into reality, where a mere gesture defies physical laws. But...is it possible? Judging by his appearance... a 14-year-old Middle Heavenly Position powerhouse?! Such prodigies are as rare as phoenix feathers throughout history. What kind of misfortune had he encountered to provoke such a monster? Even among the top Central Super elites, it generally takes until graduation to step into Middle Heavenly Position! So, the remaining possibility is only one... The other person had been contaminated by a power from a supernatural disaster infiltrating reality! Observing the fierce and evil anomalies on the other''s face, the young man was more convinced of his thoughts. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao did not pursue, but rather watched his bloody, mutilated fingers in fascination, gently licking the bloodstains on his fingertips. The pleasure that expression exuded caused the young man''s hair to stand on end, and he vaguely understood that the enemy before him could no longer be called "human," but rather some bloodthirsty, cruel monster. Swish~ The figure he was staring at flashed slightly, moving with such lightning speed that it left afterimages on his retina. The young man''s pupils contracted, unable to dodge in time, instinctively tensing his whole body, using his solid shoulder muscles to brace for the fierce attack. Zhu Haomiao''s leg swung round like a giant axe, carving a bold arc through the air and smashing into the young man''s left arm, the violent, savage force tearing through muscle and fascia, brutally transmitted to the bone. Snap~ Accompanied by a crisp sound of bone breaking, the solid arm cracked in the middle, caving inward, twisting into a V-shape. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Aaaah!!!" The remaining momentum of the blow propelled unceremoniously into the young man''s body, lifting him into the air, sending him flying several meters away. Thud~ Over a hundred pounds crashed heavily onto the ground, the violent impact displacing his vital organs, nearly making him cough up blood. "Help... help me..." Clutching his grotesquely twisted left arm, the young man felt his entire body was falling apart, unable to stand, scrabbling backward in terror while staring at Zhu Haomiao, screaming for help in a desperate attempt to draw someone''s attention. He was convinced that, in the Central Super campus, if any instructor or upperclassman discovered this situation, he would be safe and sound. And this supernatural secondary disaster in front of him would be easily eliminated! He still had a bright future! He didn''t want to die yet! At this moment, the young man was filled with immense regret, recalling the kindly teachings of his mentor. "Dao Heart''s obsession is best left in the Illusion Realm, where you have countless chances to make mistakes, but in reality, you only have one life..." "Don''t be combative..." "Don''t recklessly destroy yourself for the sake of one breath..." Once, he had scorned his mentor''s words, thinking that he had lost the spirit of courage and progress, but only when the shadow of death loomed over him did he understand his mentor''s earnest counsel. Being competitive in the Illusion Realm had caused him to lose reverence in reality, unable to endure even a bit of grievance. Now, thinking back, today''s conflict really was insignificant, but he couldn''t swallow the humiliation, leading to the current situation... Watching the terrifying monster approach slowly, all his frustrations could only turn into endless regret and despair. The shadow of the boy gradually enveloped his face, the against-light facial features indistinct, only those cruel eyes emitting a scarlet gleam not belonging to a human. Within them could be seen a genuine enjoyment and pleasure. In a trance, the young man seemed to see a ravenous, bloodthirsty monster, having gone hungry for so long, tasting the long-sought flavor of fresh blood. And he... was the foolish prey served up on a platter, soon to be shredded to pieces! "No... help me! Help me!" He used all his strength to move backwards, the heart-wrenching screams receiving no response. The remote corner of the campus seemed like a forgotten part of the world, silent to the point of despair. Swish~ Like a tiger pouncing on prey, Zhu Haomiao crossed a distance of several meters in one step, pouncing onto the young man, his hand clamping onto the young man''s throat like an iron vice. "Uh... uh..." With his throat gripped, the young man could only emit muffled gasping sounds, his pallid cheeks quickly flushing red. Uncaring for his wound, with his intact right hand he frantically clawed at the "hydraulic clamp" on his neck, trying to break free from its embrace, but his resistance was growing fainter by the moment. Zhu Haomiao''s five fingers slowly contracted, the face below turning purple as it had previously turned red. He lowered his head with interest, closely watching the young man''s expression of despair, ferocity, pain, and distortion as death approached. Tear out his heart! Rip out his tongue! Smash his brain! Gouge out his eyes! Slaughter! Destruction! Devouring! Trampling! ... Extreme and twisted desires bloomed wantonly, Zhu Haomiao''s lips curling into a cruel smile, his throat uttering warped murmurs. "Pathetic ant, entertain me!" Chapter 6 - 6: Dark Awakening As if sinister whispers from the depths of the void echoed in his ears, even the young man on the brink of death couldn''t help but tremble and shiver. One hand pinned the "sacrifice" to the ground, while the other hand extended two fingers, like an eagle''s claw, aiming to stab into the young man''s eyes, ready to gouge them out, and then slowly dismember the organs and parts from his body. Like enjoying a grand feast, Zhu Haomiao was full of delight, savoring the thrill of the slaughter. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Yet just as his fingertips were about to touch the young man''s eyeballs, the excited and joyful smile on Zhu Haomiao''s face slightly paused, and a faint, clear spirit light flickered deep within his scarlet pupils. Though small, that spirit light was like a stabilizer, anchoring itself in the deepest part of his eyes, remaining steadfast despite the impact from the crimson and cruel evil light. Killing, is allowed... But not being controlled to kill... I am not a tool! No one can force me to do things I don''t want to do! With a strong sense of resistance, the two fingers hovering in front of the young man''s eyes stopped moving, and the grip on his throat loosened more and more. "Hu~ hu~ hu~" Fresh air rushed into the narrow airway, and the young man greedily breathed in the source of life, his chest heaving with bellows-like gasps. As oxygen filled his lungs, his previously suffocated and muddled consciousness quickly cleared, and he looked up at the trembling youth standing before him, feeling that the once small and frail body now appeared as grand as a God Demon. For a moment, he lay at his feet, not daring to make the slightest move. "Get out..." "What?" "I said get out!!!" "Get out of my brain!" "Get out of my body!" "Get out of my soul!!!" Screams echoing like millions of overlapping voices rattled his soul, sweeping through his insides like a tangible shockwave, causing trickles of fresh blood to seep from the young man''s lips. Realizing that the youth''s focus was not on him, but rather on combating some invisible force, the newly reprieved young man, disregarding his internal injuries, scrambled and fled in a panic, not daring to look back as he disappeared around the corner. "Hoo~~~" His heavy breathing gradually subsided, and the youth left standing slowly straightened his hunched back, completely unconcerned about his prey escaping. He exerted all his effort to suppress the uncontrollable desire to kill, his trembling body gradually calming down. "No matter what you are, I am me, not a puppet of desire..." "Don''t even think about twisting and distorting me..." "I will never surrender!!" His low self-hypnotic murmuring seemed to invoke some mysterious power from the unseen, as Zhu Haomiao gritted his teeth tightly, his expression contorted and fierce as he stared into the void, enunciating each word. "What I give you is yours; what I don''t give, you cannot take!!" In the next second, the spirit light in his eyes suddenly burst forth, like a rising sun melting the ice and snow, gradually pressing the riotous and uncontrollable desire back into the depths of his consciousness. In an instant, a sudden intuition flooded his spirit, as if entering a wondrous supernatural state. The youth, shocked, glanced down, his vision penetrating flesh, bones, time, space, and even the barriers of dimensions, seeing a mass of all-encompassing, indescribable, writhing darkness nesting deep in his heart. That darkness harbored boundless power! And contained endless evil! It was the ladder of all progress! And the source of all downfall! The next second, with his heart sensing something, Zhu Haomiao raised his head in shock, his sight piercing through the chaotic void, seeing hundreds of magnificent stars bursting forth above the nine-layered heaven, resonating with the darkness in his heart. Mysteriously, as if severely provoked, the stars trembled in fear... Immediately, divinity condensed, and the blazing stars descended from the highest heavens. Among them, seven star-like energy bodies were the most intense, as their primordial light descended from the unmanifested non-material interface, step by step condensing into tangible matter, faintly eliciting a deeper resonant connection with Zhu Haomiao. Then, more divinity invaded the material interface, as invisible beams of light pierced the boundary between reality and illusion, landing on the ground and collapsing into towering humanoid entities. Before he could fully indulge in the glimpse of wonder, as the extreme emotions faded away, fatigue flooded in like a tide. The sight beyond the human senses blurred and vanished, and the world returned to its familiar, tranquil state. The pain of exhaustion felt like countless steel needles stabbing and surging within his body. Even with Zhu Haomiao''s willpower, he could no longer investigate the anomalies inside and outside himself, and could only drag his battered body, limping towards the dormitory. Shortly after he left, an old man with a lean physique and one arm slowly stepped out of a dark corner, gazing pensively at Zhu Haomiao''s departing figure, furrowing his brows in doubt. ......... [Zhu Haomiao] United Nations SD¡¤CN-red109 (Red Annihilation-level) Supernatural Disaster Survivor Self-identified as a Chinese citizen, but no trace of this person can be found in the real world, suspected to be a leftover invasive species from a brief coupling between the High Sky Rank Illusion Realm and reality. Form: Standard Human Gender: Male Age: 16 years Intelligence: Normal Learning Ability: Average Communication Possible: Yes Physical Strength: Weak (severe malnutrition, developmental delay) Mental Strength: Average (equipped with a Law-level spirit barrier, immune to all known mental detection methods) Mimetic Contamination: None Position Assessment: B Friendliness Assessment: Negative (emotionally unstable, abnormal mental fluctuations) Current Handling: Management and education by the Central Supernatural Academy in the Chinese Imperial City Emergency Handling Plan: Humane extermination ------------------------- Gazing at the data on the tablet, Zhu Huacang pondered for a long time, finally extending a finger to change the "Friendliness Assessment" from "Negative" to "Cautiously Optimistic." After further heavy contemplation, Zhu Huacang glanced at his empty right arm, his gaze slightly lost in thought. When was the last time I felt fear? Ah, it was before I faced the gods with a mortal body and slaughtered them all... Since then, having comprehended life and death, I have never felt fear again. Because nothing can be more terrifying than death... But just now, while secretly observing Zhu Haomiao, there was a moment when I felt a long-lost chill run down my spine. Although that feeling was fleeting, so quick that even my rational mind thought it was an illusion, the supernatural divine intuition told me it wasn''t an illusion; I truly sensed an unfathomable great terror from a 16-year-old mortal! It was an unknown that surpassed death! It was a distortion more terrifying than annihilation! Subsequently, Zhu Huacang glanced at the ridiculous B-level position assessment, curling his lips in a taunt. Even this B-level evaluation was likely granted because of his inherent Law-level spirit barrier? Otherwise, with his frail physique and ordinary mental strength akin to a mortal, he would at most be rated as a D-level personnel. Thinking of this, Zhu Huacang couldn''t help but sigh softly: "Even the Human Gods standing at the pinnacle of the nine-layered heaven would feel fear towards you, young man; you truly are deeply hidden..." With a murmur, he tapped his fingers, escalating the position assessment on the data. B¡úA¡úS¡úSS¡úSSS... Until finally, a prompt popped up on the tablet. Chapter 7 - 7: Abyss Level "Respected nine-layered heaven [Human God], confirm that you are the target observer, with sufficient authority to adjust the target position assessment." "The hierarchy level you are about to submit will have its review authority escalated from CN¡¤CSD [Chinese Super Natural Disaster Response Committee] to UNSC¡¤CSD [Security Council Super Natural Disaster Response Committee], do you confirm?" "Confirm." Pressing his palm on the tablet screen, an invisible light emanated from the tablet''s front-facing camera, scanning Zhu Huacang''s information characteristics like a radar. Voiceprint, fingerprint, iris, facial features, even the mysterious supernatural aura... All verification methods were passed, and the position assessment on Zhu Haomiao''s file slightly flickered, turning into an exceptionally rare symbol. Position assessment: X (Abyss Level) At this moment, a frail, stumbling figure dragged its heavy steps into the corridor, mustering enough energy to nod slightly as he passed by Zhu Huacang. "Uncle Zhu, hello." "Little Zhu is back, huh." "Hmm." Discreetly putting away the tablet, Zhu Huacang nodded with a kind smile, watching Zhu Haomiao limping up the stairs. Even after the young boy disappeared around the stairwell corner, Zhu Huacang continued to gaze for a long time, whispering softly. "I hope you can keep your vow, never to succumb..." Meanwhile, on the other end, Zhu Haomiao, struggling up to the second floor, frowned slightly in puzzlement. Unsure if it was his imagination, he felt the gaze of the gatekeeper, who always held a tablet, was different today, seeming to carry encouragement and some inexplicable emotions... However, the piercing pain all over his body quickly made him dismiss this minor incident, as he painfully headed toward his dormitory. ........... "Really, that was not a human, it''s a monster that kills without blinking, look at my arm..." At the main office of [Central Super], a refined duty professor frowned, trying to placate the emotional student perfunctorily. "Alright, classmate, the school will thoroughly investigate this matter, go get your injuries treated first, don''t leave any aftereffects." After persuading the injured student to leave, the professor hesitated for a while before dialing a special number. "Hello, Mr. Zhu, this is Xiao Liu from the academic office. There''s a situation... A student reported an attack by a [supernatural monster] near your managed area..." "Oh, you know about it... That student was bullying others and got beaten? Then it''s nothing... Sorry to bother you." After hanging up the phone, the professor let out a sigh of relief, quickly filed the report as an accident, and then stored it deep in the archive cabinet. Bullying someone and then complaining to the academic office after getting beaten, seriously? If it weren''t for your broken hand, you''d definitely be facing penalties! On the other end of the line, just as Zhu Huacang hung up, another call came in. "Hello? Old Zhu! What big news did you stir up again?" "What''s going on?" "There''s an order from the top to recall the principal for some review you''ve confirmed, I asked around, and the notification came from the [Security Council], what exactly did you do to involve the United Nations?" "Haha, go back and memorize the confidentiality act twice." "Hmph, if you don''t want to say it, I''ll ask the principal!" "Suit yourself." "......" The sound of someone grinding their teeth came over the phone, and Zhu Huacang could almost see the annoyed expression of his old comrade, which made him inadvertently lift the corners of his mouth. "The principal is expected to return to the real world within 24 hours, be prepared to handle it." Leaving a huffing remark, the call soon ended with a busy tone. Zhu Huacang looked at the disconnected call, amused and shaking his head. Meanwhile, far away at the United Nations Headquarters, a mysterious and low-key department was experiencing chaos. "Team leader! Eight Divine presence waves detected in the South Asia Subcontinent!" "Twelve Divine presence waves detected in the East Asia region!" "Seven Divine presence waves detected in the American region!" "Europe region..." "Middle East region..." "African region..." "Team leader, global Divine presence waves have exceeded a hundred and are rapidly increasing!" The subordinates'' exclamations rang out one after another, and the originally drenched-in-sweat team leader slumped in the chair, staring blankly at the ceiling. When was the last time there was such a large-scale Divine descent? Oh right... it was at the end of the last century... The onset of the [Great Revival] directly ushered in the era of myths! Is another mythological era update on the horizon?! What impact will this bring to the entire world this time? While the team leader was in a daze, an underling suddenly stood up rigidly, turning to him with a complex look of fear and hesitation. "Team leader..." "What have you found now? Speak." "The Vatican confirmed a Divine presence, it''s... it''s..." "What is it?" "It''s a Blazing Angel!" Swish~ The previously blank-eyed team leader instantly sprung from the chair, staring unblinkingly. "What the hell?!" "A Blazing Angel." "Confirmed?!!" "Personally confirmed by His Holiness." "......" After a few seconds of shock, the almost secular team leader couldn''t help but draw a cross in front of his chest. "Oh God..." Before he could finish speaking, another subordinate shouted. "Team leader!" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Now what?!!" "CN¡¤CSD (Chinese Super Natural Disaster Response Committee) submitted a new position assessment, the target object''s rank has been elevated from the original B level to [Abyss Level]!" "What?!" The team leader''s eyes widened in disbelief, seizing the files handed over by the subordinate and scanned through them at lightning speed. "Nonsense! That child, apart from being immune to mental probes, is just like any ordinary little boy, no, even weaker than ordinary little boys! Who inexplicably elevated his position assessment to [Abyss]?" After a dozen seconds, the team leader blew up in anger after reading the files in his hand. "Team... team leader, the modification was submitted by Zhu Huacang." "Even if God comes today... wait, who did you say?" "Zhu Huacang." "......" The furious roars of the team leader slowly subsided, sitting back in the chair, and calmly nodding. "Alright then, proceed with the review process." "The [Abyss Level] assessment does not require us to process through it; the review authority belongs to the Supreme Committee, and they have already sent out a notification." "Then why are you still asking?!" Confronted with the angry glare of the team leader, the staff member bravely responded. "I wanted to consult whether to establish a dedicated file in advance; this is a newly discovered type of abyss, many would be interested in it..." Chapter 8 - 8: Dragons Son Tasting the hint in the subordinate''s words, the team leader pondered for a moment, then gave a cold smile. "Although no memetic contamination was observed, the existence of Abyss Level information itself can cause reality distortion. According to regulations, His information will only be decrypted to a very few key personnel. The vast majority of people have no right to know of His existence¡­" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the subordinate''s disappointed look, the team leader laughed more mockingly. "I know what ideas the people behind you are playing with, and I know how tempting a living, infant, controllable Abyss can be¡­" Speaking, the team leader leaned forward slightly, his aura like a tangible mountain pressing on the subordinate, pointed his finger at himself, then at him. "But I warn you, small fry like you and me had better stick to professional principles, always stay neutral, and don''t get involved in the power struggles between those big countries. The fights on the nine-layered heaven, even a speck of dust could crush us!" With an oppressive gaze fixed on the subordinate, the team leader threatened in a low voice, word by word. "If you want to die yourself, fine, but don''t damn well drag me down with you!" The subordinate, who was struggling to breathe, nodded stiffly and quickly promised, "I understand, team leader, I will definitely abide by the work regulations and will never disclose any information to the outside world!" Upon hearing this, the team leader satisfactorily withdrew, changing the subject. "However, pre-archiving is still necessary. After all, those qualified big shots need to fully understand such entities that can threaten world peace. Let''s first establish an internal exclusive codename, and once the Supreme Committee approves, we''ll synchronize His information to the database¡­" Saying this, the team leader covered his mouth and pondered for a moment, then murmured to himself. "A new Abyss, according to tradition, we have to give Him a codename first¡­ hmm¡­ since the Abyss was born in that country, let''s call Him ''Dragon''s Son''!" ......... "Ugh~~~~~~" Lying in bed, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but let out a painful moan, as if every muscle fiber in his body was torn apart, conveying a heart-wrenching ache through his nerves. He couldn''t even remember whether he fell asleep or fainted after collapsing in bed yesterday, he only knew that waking up did not improve his condition but only worsened it. How did he manage to make it back home yesterday anyway? Was it pure adrenaline gambling on holding on until he got back inside? With a wry smile amidst the pain, which only made his muscles twitch with more agony, Zhu Haomiao gradually woke from the haze after sleep, recalling everything that happened last night. Right! That mass of darkness! Enduring the searing pain, he propped up his body and looked at his heart, only to see the filthy jacket stained by dried milk tea, which was no surprise. However, even without entering that surreal supernatural sensation from last night, he still clearly sensed a mass of {darkness} nestled deep within his heart, as if it was inherently a part of him! As if guided by some innate animal instinct, without any need for learning, Zhu Haomiao raised his hand and made a gesture of grasping something in the air. A mass of writhing, twisted chaos, embodying all hues, materialized from the ethereal, shifting like a weightless fluid in his palm. Then, the tangible, dense darkness expanded and transformed, manifesting some conceptual, incomprehensible {Transcendent Object} into a form that could be observed and comprehended by humans. Soon, a dark and thick book the size of an A4 paper appeared, floating in Zhu Haomiao''s palm. The cover felt like human skin to the touch, yet exuded a metallic sheen. Vaguely, countless streams of colorful lights, thin as mosquitos singing, could be seen condensing from the surrounding air, plunging into the book''s cover like moths to a flame, making the entire book appear like a black hole that could swallow even light! [Book of Black] ¡ª It is the source of sin and also the long staircase to godhood. Instinctively, Zhu Haomiao knew the name of this book and the significance it held¡­ With the control of his will, the cover of the [Book of Black] opened autonomously, naturally revealing a pure white flyleaf within. [Stay true to oneself, do as one wishes] The message left on the flyleaf was unknown in origin, but it was like a thunderbolt tearing through the confusion in Zhu Haomiao''s mind, enlightening him in an instant! "Stay true to oneself, do as one wishes¡­" "Staying true to oneself comes first, doing as one wishes comes later¡­" "Control desires, instead of being controlled by desires¡­" "Regardless of good or evil, I am who I am!" The spiritual light deep in his eyes flickered, and Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. With a thought, the flyleaf turned, revealing darkened pages within. On the page, a mass of twisting, writhing characters constantly transformed, materializing into various concepts recognizable to Zhu Haomiao. [Soul Strength] [Sanity Value] [Willpower] ... Ultimately, the mass of characters settled into two more precise words ¡ª [Dao Heart]! "Release Original Sin, [anger] +30, [Dao Heart] -10" "Subdue uncontrolled Original Sin [anger], Dao Heart +30" The recording text slowly faded away, seemingly alluding to the battle from last night. Afterwards, a mysterious and exquisite pattern surfaced at the center of the page. It was a hexagram composed of two equilateral triangles, with ancient, heavy seal scripts shining at each tip. [Strength], [Body], [Dexterity], [Essence], [Qi], [God]¡­ Complex and intricate ornate patterns and words intermingled, seemingly reflecting some supreme truth of the cosmos'' underlying layers. Subsequently, rows of information quietly emerged, combining with the hexagram to form an interface much like a game panel. [Zhu Haomiao] Bloodline: Mortal Rank: Primordial Sin Lifespan: 89 Dao Heart: LV.0 (20/50) [God]: 0.6 [Dexterity]: 0.5 [Strength]: 0.4 [Essence]: 0.3 [Qi]: 0.3 [Body]: 0.4 Looking at this data that resembled an attribute panel, Zhu Haomiao''s expression turned oddly grim. Lifespan 89, great! Far exceeds the average lifespan! Rank [Primordial Sin], not quite understandable, needs careful study. As for the six-dimensional attributes¡­ hmm¡­ Though he had no clue what standard these values were categorized under, in any case, uniform decimal points made it rather abstract¡­ He knew he was weak, but didn''t anticipate being this weak! If it wasn''t for the uncontrolled [Original Sin¡¤Anger] Burst Seed, he would have definitely been overwhelmed by that lunatic last night. However, Burst Seed does not come without a cost¡­ With a sigh, Zhu Haomiao looked intently towards the very bottom of the page, where a line of blood-red text pulsed like a heartbeat, silently warning him. [Extreme Overdraft] There wasn''t even a need for its warning, as every cell of Zhu Haomiao''s body, every wisp of his soul was fiercely protesting against the brutal overuse from last night. Chapter 9 - 9, Inherent [Pride] Now, every movement by Zhu Haomiao requires every bit of strength, the pain making his eyelids twitch uncontrollably! Forcing himself to endure the pain, the young man continued to flip through the Book of Black, discovering that each of the following pages recorded an original sin. [Greed]: LV.1 (23/100) [Jealousy]: LV.1 (5/100) [Anger]: LV.1 (89/100) [Gluttony]: LV.2 (11/200) [Lust]: LV.1 (97/100) [Sloth]: LV.1 (76/100) [Pride]: LV.1 (91/100) Looking at the original sins, at least at LV.1, and the Dao Heart at LV.0, Zhu Haomiao seemed to understand why he was always teetering on the edge of losing control. It''s because his Heart couldn''t control his Desire! Desire was the source of his strength, but also the main culprit of his twisted loss of control! Snap! sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His hand retracted, and the Book of Black closed instantly, turning into a chaotic black light and sinking into his palm. There was no need to materialize it at all; the information within the book still projected into his spirit like a clear flame! After identifying his "disease''s root," the dark clouds hovering over Zhu Haomiao''s heart instantly dissipated, as if lifting a mountain off his back. He felt much lighter, even the surrounding pain seemed to lessen quite a bit. Once you know the "treatment method," the following things become simple... Mind cultivation! Refine the Dao Heart! Taking a deep breath, Zhu Haomiao, full of fighting spirit, stood up from the bed, but as soon as his feet touched the ground, a piercing pain shot up from the lower half of his body, making him fall back onto the bed, gasping for breath. "Hiss..." Looking down, he saw the foot he had kicked someone with yesterday had swollen three times its size, and the skin and flesh on his shin had turned a necrotic purple-black. "Sure enough, every action has its reaction. Did I kick myself crippled?" Grimacing, Zhu Haomiao lay back on the bed, staring forlornly at the ceiling. Instinctively wanting to call for help, he realized he didn''t even have a phone! Even sadder, even if he had a phone, he wouldn''t find anyone willing to help him. He didn''t have a single friend he could talk to in this world; even in his class, there wasn''t anyone whose name he could call out. In an instant, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized how much he had failed as a person. Looking back now, he gradually realized how greatly his character had changed unknowingly under the influence of original sin. The intense emotional fluctuations made his thoughts chaotic and erratic, with all sorts of strange and sudden ideas often popping into his head. Some were just nonsensical, while others were incredibly abstract, like the idea of charging at a cat... Most of these thoughts were triggered by original sin. However, the other sins, while problematic, typically spun harmlessly in his head until he acted on them, except for Pride... which emanated from his very bones! No matter how he disguised it, the "I''m not targeting anyone; I''m saying everyone here is trash" look in his eyes could not be hidden... To others, he must appear to be an unreasonably arrogant madman, right? In a flash, Zhu Haomiao seemed to somewhat understand the pain of a certain "victimized youth." Yesterday, his attitude was more than just contemptuous; he regarded him as an ant, not even deigning to converse with him! If only he''d explained patiently at that time, things wouldn''t have escalated into a mess. Yet at that moment, he felt nothing wrong with it, instead feeling it was only right. Why should he lower himself to listen to a lowly ant? If the heavens ordained him to die under his foot, that was an honor bestowed by God! This high-and-mighty attitude of Pride, if even one percent of it got conveyed through his gaze and actions, would infuriate any normal person! Hmm... In retrospect, perhaps, maybe, it seems, I was indeed asking for a beating... After a serious introspection, Zhu Haomiao sighed dramatically. "Sigh... From today, I need to reform myself and start anew!" "Hiss~ so painful, oh well, I''ll start tomorrow since I can''t move today..." Not knowing what nerve he hit, Zhu Haomiao winced in pain, his face twitching as he lay helplessly on the bed. Yet, a few minutes later, the boy shot up in shock from his sickbed, letting out a classic national profanity. "Fuck!!" Indulgence of Original Sin [Sloth] +1 [Dao Heart] -1 The information coming from the Book of Black shocked Zhu Haomiao to a cold sweat, prompting him to hurriedly prepare to get out of bed. Indeed, each original sin was rooted in the unconscious instincts of humans, an indispensable part of self-awareness. Because of this, they often release quietly, and he didn''t even realize the original sin was affecting him! Even the seemingly most harmless and gentle [Sloth] is hard to guard against... Fortunately, now there''s the Book of Black to remind him... Mysteriously, Zhu Haomiao had an epiphany. This reminder mechanism seemed deliberately designed by the presence that left the words "stay true to your heart, do as you wish" on the flyleaf! To prevent the holder of the Book of Black from being corrupted, degenerated, and distorted like a frog in warm water. With feet touching the ground, taking another look at the swollen and blackened calf made Zhu Haomiao''s heart tremble again. A normal person''s first reaction upon seeing such a severe injury would definitely be to go to the hospital! Yet he had forgotten about it under the influence of [Sloth], even thinking about putting it off until tomorrow. If it really got till tomorrow, the leg would probably have necrotized! Once again, Zhu Haomiao directly and clearly recognized the dangers of original sin. Immediately, he bit his lip, forcing himself to stand up, and limped towards the door, supporting himself against the wall. He remembered there was a campus hospital not far from the dormitory, though it often seemed to be dark inside, and he wasn''t sure if anyone was working there... If it didn''t work out, he''d have to go to the main campus hospital... Making up his mind, Zhu Haomiao struggled to the staircase entrance, involuntarily gulping as he looked at the familiar stairs. Damn school, building single-occupancy dorms and not even installing elevators! Then, mustering great determination, he took the first step but nearly dropped to his knees instantly. His hands clutched the handrail tightly, the needle-like tingly pain coursing like an electric current, running back and forth on his legs, turning them into limp noodles, utterly uncontrollable, shaking like a sieve. After a few minutes of half-dragging, half-shuffling, he finally reached the first floor, propping himself against the wall. When he stepped out the dormitory door, he suddenly paused. "Control [Sloth], Dao Heart +1" Encouraged, the young man was invigorated, limping, and full of fighting spirit as he headed towards the nearby campus hospital. Thank God, his prayers were heard; the campus hospital door wasn''t locked. Pushing the door open, he was met with the sight of a mature and alluring figure, draped in a white coat, lounging lazily and elegantly on an ergonomic chair, plump, long legs wrapped in dark stockings crossed over a leg rest, absently scrolling through a tablet in her lap. Chapter 10 - 10, The Sin of Gluttony, The Punishment of Hunger Upon noticing someone entering, a sultry, alluring face was slightly lifted, and a finger pushed up the black-rimmed glasses on the nose, revealing a hint of surprise in Shine''s bright eyes. "How did you get in here?" The rich, sultry voice of a mature woman came through, like feathers brushing gently across the skin. Zhu Haomiao inexplicably shivered, waking up from a dazed amazement. Huh? How did I get in? The door wasn''t even closed? Instinctively glancing at the open door behind him, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a few seconds, then looked seriously into her eyes. "I came in through the door." "..." The school nurse on the opposite side was stunned for several seconds, then smiled self-deprecatingly. "Right... So, what''s wrong?" Casually placing the tablet on the nearby table, the school nurse stood up, her white gown naturally hanging open to reveal a devilish figure underneath. Beneath the lab coat was a tightly wrapped black office outfit; it was clear she was trying her best to cover up her curves, but her figure refused to be humble. The slender waist extended out into an impressive curve, and even with the jacket covering her, her abundant assets could not be hidden. Thin branches bearing fruit¡­ no, it''s more like thin branches bearing huge fruit! It''s not just that the fruit is large, but it''s also quite perky! Does such a figure really exist in reality? Could it all be technology and tricks? No, this world does have supernatural powers; perhaps they could make fat grow where it''s supposed to while defying the petty constraints of gravity... Once again lost in the mature allure of the school nurse, Zhu Haomiao''s mind was flooded with thoughts, even forgetting his entire body was in pain. I want to do this to her first, then that, and then... The raging desires hadn''t yet unfurled when the forbidden Se Se prompt shocked him awake. Indulgence of Original Sin [Lust] +1 [Dao Heart] -1 "......" I''m a healthy young man, I don''t smoke, I don''t drink. What''s wrong with being a bit lustful?! Can''t I at least think about it?! A gentleman judges actions, not thoughts!! Biting his lip in grief and anger, Zhu Haomiao forcibly shifted his gaze away from the school nurse''s face, staring blankly straight ahead. Then, he discovered a cruel fact: the school nurse stood at least several heads taller than him, so looking straight ahead meant he was staring right at her bosom. "..." Zhu Haomiao silently turned his gaze to the sky outside the window, his eyes filled with melancholy and yearning. I hate this world of towering giants, especially when I''m so short! "Student, what''s bothering you exactly?" "Teacher, I feel discomfort all over." "Take off your shirt and lie down on the bed, I''ll examine you." Compliantly removing his shirt to reveal a scrawny, bony frame, Zhu Haomiao noticed the school nurse''s breath halted for a moment. "Student, your condition is quite severe..." "Teacher, I think I might still have a chance to be saved." With a bitter grin, Zhu Haomiao now understood the reason for his skeletal appearance. He previously thought some "Medicine" figure was hiding inside him, competing for nutrition, causing him to wither no matter how much he ate. So he made an even greater effort to eat, hoping to retain some nutrition to nourish his body. However, the real reason wasn''t that he ate too little; on the contrary, it was because he ate too much! Gluttony sin, punished by hunger. Like the starving ghosts in Hell, the more they devoured, the more skeletal and twisted they became, further leading to insatiable hunger, driving them to consume everything they could... Ultimately, trapped in this endless cycle of consuming themselves... Closing his eyes, Zhu Haomiao''s mind was a whirlwind of thoughts until he suddenly felt a gentle, soft sensation against his chest. A mysterious warm flow radiated from his chest to his limbs, soothing like sweet spring water as it permeated his flesh. The acute pain throughout his body visibly faded, replaced by an indescribable comfort and ease. The mysterious warm flow spread slowly, penetrating the marrow, washing away fatigue and pain. It felt like soaking in a hot spring, enveloped in ideal warmth on every inch of skin, and akin to a mother''s loving embrace, bringing relaxation and tranquility from the inside out. "Large-scale muscle strain, bruising, swelling, extensive muscle tearing, severe damage to joint soft tissue..." After a long time, as the school nurse withdrew her hand, the nourishing flow was instantly cut off, and the pervasive stinging sensation returned, though its intensity had decreased to a bearable level. Next, Zhu Haomiao, however reluctant, heard a shocking piece of news. "Especially your leg; the bone is broken, how did you walk here?" "Huh? I was perfectly fine just now, how did it break?" "...¡­" The school nurse hesitated, on the verge of speaking but ultimately holding back, sighing with amused exasperation. Is this kid''s nervous system made of pipes? "Never mind, how did you end up in this state exactly?" "Emmmm... playing Origi... ah, no, playing games..." The school nurse squinted, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose, showing an expression as if not buying his story. "You play quite aggressively then." Zhu Haomiao: "..." Though she was making a witty remark, she didn''t press further, retrieving a bottle of ointment from a nearby cabinet and spreading it evenly in her palm. "Take off your pants, I''ll apply some medicine." "Huh?" Although he knew she was a doctor, Zhu Haomiao still felt awkward in front of such a beautiful female. "What''s there to be shy about? Quick, take them off!" The school nurse, like a doctor awaiting surgery post-sanitizing, held her hands up in front of her chest, urging impatiently. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." Awkwardly removing his pants, Zhu Haomiao lay on the examination bed wearing only his underwear, closing his eyes and clenching his fists in frustration. Man is knife and I am fish... Today, I''m at your mercy, but in thirty years... the tides will turn... Don''t! Look down! On! Youth! Poverty!!! The cool sensation landed on his skin, followed by the soft fingers spreading it around. Under some mysterious power, what was originally cold ointment transformed into a scorching stream, quickly penetrating the skin, seeping into the flesh, reaching into the marrow... Peeking open one eye to see the school nurse''s focused solemn face, Zhu Haomiao''s capricious thoughts slowly dissipated, leaving him unexpectedly moved. Contrary to her impatient words, her actions were gentle and earnest. She seemed to apply some massage technique, patiently activating the medicinal properties within the ointment, continuously infusing it into his injured flesh. Staring blankly at her concentrated side profile, the warmth throughout his body seemed to seep into his heart, stirring a slight sensation within Zhu Haomiao. Chapter 11 - 11: [Love] and [Desire] If I could marry her, I would surely be very happy... She''s so gentle, she would definitely be a good wife and mother... In an instant, he even thought of the child''s name. Zhu Haomiao suddenly jolted awake, expecting to receive a warning against improper thoughts again, but to his surprise, the "Book of Black" had no reaction. A moment later, he had a subtle realization. Love and lust cannot be confused, even though their goals are the same, their starting points are completely different. Normally, love and lust are mixed together, and ordinary people can''t distinguish which one is more prevalent. As the saying goes, most love at first sight is just a spark of lust... Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Pure love without the slightest desire is against human nature, and only a saint can achieve it. Similarly, pure lust without even a trace of love is extremely rare, it''s the trait of a true demon. Humans are in between, with some having more love and some having more lust. Right now, his love for this woman was slightly more than his desire. Of course, this "love" is only slightly higher than affection, merely the most basic, shallow, and vague liking, far from profound. But this feeling was born from his true desires, it was his will, not an impulse driven by lust, so the "Book of Black" had no reaction. After all, the "Book of Black" doesn''t care if one is good or evil, a saint or a demon... It only cares... whether the desire is true to one''s heart! As the inscription on the cover says: Stay true to yourself, do as you wish! As Zhu Haomiao was lost in thought, the school nurse finished applying the ointment and nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, get up." "Huh?" Still immersed in the comfortable massage, Zhu Haomiao dumbly sat up, astonished to find himself almost healed! The excruciating pain all over his body had become delayed onset muscle soreness from intense exercise, still uncomfortable but no longer hindering normal activities. Even more amazingly, his leg, which had been swollen and blackened, was now completely back to normal, with only faint bruise marks visible. As he got off the examination bed, he gently pushed his foot against the floor, and the feeling from his leg assured Zhu Haomiao everything was normal. "..." Wasn''t it supposed to take a hundred days to recover from muscle and bone injuries? Has it healed already? Is this the healing power of supernatural forces? It''s terrifyingly powerful! Experiencing the mysteries of this world firsthand for the first time, the young man couldn''t help but be excited. Could he also wield such surreal power? Suddenly, a horrifying thought crossed his mind, and his dilated pupils suddenly shrank to pinpoints! Oh no! I don''t have health insurance!! Taking a sharp breath, Zhu Haomiao suppressed his nervousness and looked at the school nurse with grave eyes. "Teacher, I don''t have health insurance..." This extraordinary medical treatment must be expensive... hopefully not too outrageous... "What?" The young man blinked awkwardly, gathering his courage to speak. "I want to ask how much the treatment costs, and if I can pay in installments?" "Instal..." Looking at the young man''s earnest, honest face, the school nurse''s lips twitched uncontrollably, using great effort to hold back laughter. "No need, the fee is already included in the tuition you all pay." The young man scratched his head, honestly and distressingly confessing to the school nurse. "But I''m a special admission student, I haven''t paid tuition, and I even get a little living allowance from the school every month..." "..." Did this kid learn stand-up comedy? Closing her eyes, the school nurse let out a long breath of fragrant aroma, suppressing her shaking shoulders with all her strength, and then opened her eyes to reply in a slightly trembling voice. "As long as you''re a student or staff of Central Super, treatment at the school hospital is free." "Is there such a good thing?" Seeing the young man''s eyes light up, his face full of ''I have a bold idea'', the school nurse quickly changed the subject: "Alright, don''t do any strenuous exercise for the next few days, you''ll recover very soon." After advising Zhu Haomiao, the school nurse looked into his eyes, her smile fading, turning serious and solemn. "In addition, I must remind you that your internal issues are more severe than your external injuries." "Huh? What''s the matter?" "Severe malnutrition, developmental delay, endocrine disorders. If not quickly corrected, at worst, it could lead to cognitive impairment or stunted growth, at worst, life-threatening situations." "..." Nothing much else, but hearing that he might never grow taller, Zhu Haomiao instantly panicked. He didn''t want to be like the Yodel People! "Do you have some sort of eating disorder? Or is there financial difficulty at home? Why aren''t you eating?" After washing her hands, the school nurse sat back in her ergonomic chair and gently asked. Taking this opportunity, Zhu Haomiao got dressed, shaking his head gravely. The monthly allowance from the school wasn''t much, but it was enough, and with no tuition and accommodation fees, he wasn''t under much financial pressure. The real reason for his malnutrition couldn''t be disclosed, so he mumbled vaguely and evasively. "I actually eat a lot; it''s just that my digestion isn''t great..." Hearing this, the school nurse raised an eyebrow, taking a deep look at Zhu Haomiao, sensing the evasion in his words but considerately not pressing further. "Since it''s an absorption issue, you should come by every day to get nutrient infusion, I''ll be here from 9 AM to 5 PM." "Also, you need to eat well, don''t be picky..." "Eat more meat, eggs, and dairy, and maintain nutritional balance..." Listening to the endless nagging in his ear, even knowing she was merely being a kind-hearted healer, caring for everyone in the same way, the young man couldn''t help being touched. Feeling cared for by someone else for the first time since crossing into this world, Zhu Haomiao smiled and nodded. "Got it, thank you, teacher." "You''re welcome, off you go." After giving medical advice, the school nurse picked up the tablet on the desk again, leaned back gently, and lay like a lazy cat in her ergonomic chair. Feeling the unintentional allure she exuded, Zhu Haomiao''s heart stirred, and after some soul-searching, a relieved smile spread across his face. Folks, this is not driven by lust! The "Book of Black" can testify! "Teacher, do you have a boyfriend?" "Huh?" Her gaze slowly moved from the tablet screen, the school nurse adjusted her glasses on her straight nose, her eyes full of a thousand charms holding confusion. With her keen intelligence, she had already picked up on the young man''s hidden subtext, finding it even more preposterous. This kid... could he really have something wrong in his head? But seeing the young man''s confident, sincere, clear, stubborn... and foolish gaze, the school nurse couldn''t help but shake her head with a mix of amusement and exasperation. Chapter 12 - 12: Give Me a Chance, I Want to Be a Good Person! "No, why?" "Then can I pursue you?" Even though she was well aware of her astonishing charm, the school nurse didn''t expect the young man to make such a "naive and straightforward" declaration. Coupled with his silly "serious and earnest" expression, the intense contrast felt like feathers madly tickling her funny bone, causing her mouth to uncontrollably curl upwards. "Pfft~" Watching the beauty in front of him laugh so much that she shook, Zhu Haomiao was at a loss. What''s so funny? "Teacher, give me a chance, I want to be a good person!" Thinking about doing unspeakable things with a pretty woman is just too bizarre! Especially having thoughts about cats! Humans shouldn''t, at least... So I still need to find a serious girlfriend to suppress desires with love. "Pff~ hahaha~ Don''t make me laugh~~~" "Teacher, I''m serious." "Haha, I can''t take it~" "..." Watching the lady roll around on her chair laughing, Zhu Haomiao gradually began to question life. Is it really that funny? I''m obviously being serious, right? However, on the other side, the school nurse barely held down the sudden burst of laughter, and when she looked up, she saw Zhu Haomiao deep in thought with question marks all over his face and a frown. His silly and stubborn demeanor almost made her laugh again. As if possessed, the original rejection that came to her lips quietly changed. "You want to pursue me? It''s not impossible..." Seeing her smile teasingly with charming crescent eyes, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes suddenly brightened. But before he could get excited, the school nurse pursed her lips, holding up three slender fingers. "As long as you can do three things." "What three things?" "The first thing is..." The elegant and lazy beauty stood up from her chair, bent down to meet Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, and gently patted his head. "Grow up well. I don''t like someone as thin and small as you." "No problem!" Zhu Haomiao firmly nodded, his gaze serious as he continued to look at her. "What about the other two things?" The school nurse shook her lips and shook her head: "You should accomplish the first thing first." "No problem! Teacher!" The young man confidently pumped his fist and turned to leave, but upon reaching the door, he awkwardly turned around. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Well...teacher, I still don''t know your name..." Seeing him being serious but funny, the school nurse felt like she was raising a dumb husky puppy, her lips curving up being harder to control than an AK gun. "Nangong Su''e, Su as in plain, E as in Chang''e." "Nangong Su''e...Su''e...I''ll remember that, Teacher Su''e." "Mm, remember to come for an IV tomorrow." "Yes." He nodded earnestly, politely turned around, and left, but just beyond the door, he suddenly felt something was off. The teacher''s attitude just now, wasn''t like she was dealing with a suitor, more like she was...coaxing a child? Realizing that she didn''t see him as a man at all, Zhu Haomiao angrily wanted to go back to prove himself, but he suddenly paused. Images of her bending down to meet his gaze flashed in his mind, making Zhu Haomiao bite his lip in frustration. The height difference, plus his immature features, no wonder she saw him as a child. Damn it! Times will change, never underestimate a young man who is short! Clenching his fist, Zhu Haomiao silently encouraged himself, glancing back at the tightly closed door, then left with "hatred". Just wait until my Dao Heart is stable, when I secretly become a handsome man, won''t I charm you to death then? On the other side, watching the kid who always inexplicably hits her funny bone disappear from view, Nangong Su''e slowly retracted her gaze, shaking her head with a smile. "Little devil~" ............ Chew chew chew~~~ Sitting upright at the cafeteria table, Zhu Haomiao stared expressionlessly at a "simple" four dishes and a soup in front of him, treating it as some sort of treasure, carefully, slowly, and thoroughly chewing a small bite of food. ...twenty-nine, thirty! Counting silently in his heart, Zhu Haomiao chewed for a full thirty times before swallowing the food, then picked another chopstick of food, repeating the process. In contrast to his previous habit, where he could wolf down his meal in just a few minutes, this time it took him over an hour! After finishing the last grain of rice, the young man put down his chopsticks, slumping tiredly against the chair like he had just finished a bloody battle. Is this amount supposed to feed a cat? Who is this even enough for?! Not only did this meal leave him unsatisfied, but it also made him hungrier, with the growing irritability and anxiety making Zhu Haomiao feel like a wild beast with nowhere to unleash, wanting to flip the table and trash the cafeteria! But reason told him that three taels of rice and four dishes with soup already counted as above average for a normal male college student. Eating more...might touch on the threshold of [Gluttony]... Hesitating for a moment, Zhu Haomiao touched his flat stomach, sensing the feedback from his gut, a string of text suddenly unfolded in his Divine Soul. [Gluttony]: LV.2 (11/200) Looking at that unique LV.2 level, Zhu Haomiao carefully sensed and nodded in realization. He''s already considered a possessor of supernatural power, with the LV.2 level of [Gluttony] granting him a stomach beyond a normal person''s! Thus, a regular adult male''s meal only fills him to two-tenths full...and still doesn''t reach the stage of [Gluttony]. Putting down his worries, Zhu Haomiao went to get another serving, starting the next "battle". As his hunger rose, the familiar eerie hunger surged exponentially, his stomach seemingly roaring like a monster, impatient to chew leisurely, itching to reach out a claw from his throat to pull the food in! But Zhu Haomiao forcefully resisted the desire, stared into the void, and grinned fiercely with a twisted smile. "I''m not swallowing, I play this way!" Chewing as if on the enemy''s flesh, the young man gnashed his teeth for a full two minutes, only swallowing when the tidal wave of hunger slightly receded. The next second, like a beast that tasted blood, a stronger and more violent hunger thirst swept in like a tsunami, urging Zhu Haomiao to devour more blood food! As if in battle with an invisible demon, the young man''s chewing became increasingly laborious, breathing more heavily, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead. Matching the rising fullness, the hunger''s desire grew stronger, until reaching seven-tenths full, Zhu Haomiao used all his strength to put down his chopsticks, not daring to eat another grain of rice. Leaning back against the cafeteria chair, it took him over ten minutes to catch his breath, a deep sigh of relief escaping him afterward. Chapter 13 - 13, Thanks to all my family for sparing me That was close... almost couldn''t control it... In those last few bites, he was about to lose his mind. If not for the shred of clarity from the Dao Heart, he probably would have committed the sin of Gluttony again! S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But once you exceed being very full, all the nutrition you intake instantly reverses conceptually and becomes negative! The more you eat, the more you lose! Damn it... this isn''t scientific at all! Cursing in his heart, Zhu Haomiao ground his teeth and sighed helplessly. Indeed, using a level 0 Dao Heart to control a level 2 Original Sin is very difficult! Forget about the extreme of being very full, even at seventy percent full, he was struggling... "Harnessing Gluttony, Dao Heart +3" Just at that moment, the Divine Soul reminded him through the Book of Black, and a bright smile appeared on the tired youth''s face. Although it was tough, the rewards were great... With three meals a day, won''t my Dao Heart soar like a rocket? Of course, Zhu Haomiao knew this was just his unrealistic fantasy. Just from this one meal, he was already about to collapse. The depletion of physical strength and mental energy was immense, no less than a high-intensity real battle, testing and tormenting both his body and mind! With such an experience akin to a tribulation, having it once a day was daunting enough, not to mention three times a day. Ah... take it slow, eat one bite at a time, walk one step at a time... This is a long-lasting war! However, as the Dao Heart grows, the monsters hidden within my instincts will also grow in sync! To subdue them... I''m afraid... it will be a never-ending entanglement... One must get used to fighting against oneself! After adjusting his emotions, Zhu Haomiao took the leftover tray to the recycling area and slowly walked towards the dormitory. The morning class was already missed, might as well go back and sleep in the afternoon. So tired... As he walked languidly and wearily across the campus, Zhu Haomiao suddenly was startled. Didn''t you decide to be self-disciplined and strong, and live a good life? Why are you thinking of slacking off again? But yesterday, you suffered an old sin, and today, this meal felt like a tribulation; can''t you rest a bit? The two thoughts wrestled endlessly in his mind. After some inner turmoil, Zhu Haomiao forced himself to perk up, ready to head to the afternoon class. Back at the dormitory, Zhu Haomiao lowered his head to sniff his jacket, furrowing his brows inexplicably. Last night, a cup of milk tea was spilled all over him, the sweet and sticky liquid had started to sour by now. No wonder some passersby in the cafeteria gave him strange looks... Swiftly taking off his clothes, Zhu Haomiao walked into the bathroom, letting the warm water wash over his body. After bathing, the youth habitually walked to the fitting mirror, seeing a shriveled, thin, and ugly body. It wasn''t very noticeable when wearing clothes, but now deprived of cover, Zhu Haomiao realized directly just how dangerous his body''s condition had become. If it continues to deteriorate, it''s estimated that before long, my body will completely collapse... Fortunately... Lost in thought, he looked down at his chest and abdomen, where Zhu Haomiao could feel a faint warm current spreading from his intestines, nourishing his drought-ridden body like sweet spring water. This was a sensation he had never experienced before. Previously, after a bout of gluttony, fullness and satisfaction felt disconnected; clearly, his stomach was uncomfortably full, yet there was no satisfaction, only increased hunger! He could even feel his insatiable stomach digesting and consuming himself! But now, a continuous stream of nutrients flowed through his blood, with every cell rejoicing, as if parched, cracked earth greedily absorbed this precious rain. Looking at his palm, Zhu Haomiao slowly clenched his fist, feeling the faint strength, and sighed in contentment. It wasn''t the uncontrolled, violent, restless anger. Rather, it was a calm, hefty, steady, gentle strength that belonged to him! Although still small, it represented hope! Offering a smile at his reflection in the mirror, Zhu Haomiao quickly changed into clean clothes, picked up his textbooks, and headed out the door. About ten minutes later, he found the classroom for the afternoon class, and as soon as he stepped inside, the noisy and boisterous classroom suddenly fell silent. Everyone in the room simultaneously looked at him as if he were an alien object that didn''t belong there, their gazes filled with disgust, disdain, mockery, rejection, and various negative emotions. Zhu Haomiao habitually scanned the room with a quick glance, and his indifferent gaze, as if looking at insects, made the negative emotions in everyone''s eyes even more pronounced. Then, the youth snapped back to reality, retrieving his disdainful eyes, and with an unnaturally stiff smile, he nodded politely and amiably at everyone. Thank you, everyone, for not killing me¡­ In Zhu Haomiao''s view, the classmates who interacted with him daily merely ostracizing and isolating him already counted as virtuous and of high moral character! Isn''t it obvious that just three sentences yesterday drove a man insane, eagerly committing some demented act? The toxic encouragements online are just for fun. If you really want three sentences to drive a man completely mad (literally), it would have to be Zhu Haomiao! Meanwhile, the whole class looked at each other in disbelief, unable to believe that this weirdo was actually greeting them? He can smile? Isn''t this guy always wearing an angry face, ignoring everyone? Even when making eye contact, it''s always that maggot-like gaze, so what changed today? Weird glances were exchanged among the crowd as Zhu Haomiao quietly found a seat near the corner by the backdoor, politely avoiding disturbing anyone. But as soon as he sat down, the class quickly returned to its lively state, everyone tacitly ignoring his presence until the bell rang to quiet them. "Ding-a-ling~~~~" Almost simultaneously with the bell, the classroom''s backdoor quietly opened, and several figures stealthily slipped in, slithering to sit beside Zhu Haomiao like soft-bodied animals. "Lucky~ Just made it~~" "Fortunately, the teacher isn''t here yet~" "It''s all your fault for oversleeping!" ... The group of young girls chirped away, and the girl seated next to Zhu Haomiao noticed the person beside her, ready to greet him. When she turned her head, her smile froze. Oh no, why is it this annoying guy? But since they met each other''s gaze, Liu Xiuxiu could only muster up a stiff smile. "Morning." Contrary to the expected cold shoulder, the boy paused and then slowly spoke. "It''s afternoon now." ... As everyone knows, the time after waking up is immediately considered morning, as per national standards! Liu Xiuxiu was embarrassed and angry, shooting a glare at the boy. Yet, due to her preconceived notions, she dared not complain to him, so she sulkily turned away without acknowledging him. But after exchanging glances with her friends, Liu Xiuxiu curiously stole a few looks at Zhu Haomiao. Chapter 14 - 14: The Three Great Illusions of Life Has this guy taken the wrong medicine? He''s actually responding to people today? Not using that "looking at maggots" gaze to despise me? Sensing the gaze around him, Zhu Haomiao turned his head to look at the girl. His gaze was cool and indifferent, but it was quite calm, without the usual annoying, superior air. "?" Noticing the confusion in the boy''s eyes, Liu Xiuxiu tentatively nodded at him. "Good afternoon." "..." You took all that time just to say hello? Do you have some major illness? With a look of caring for the mentally challenged, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a few seconds and politely nodded. "Good afternoon." "Hiss~" The girl widened her eyes and took a sharp breath, turning her head to exchange frantic looks with a few friends. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Am I not fully awake, or has this guy really taken the wrong medicine? Xiu''er, keep probing, see if this guy is actually someone else in disguise! ...... Just then, exclamations came from the front row of the classroom. A beautiful, charming figure gracefully walked up the podium and smiled as she turned on the microphone. "Hello, classmates, Mr. Huang is unwell and has taken leave. I am the substitute tutor, Ye Wan Ning, and I will be teaching ''Global History of Supernatural Powers'' for the next period. You can call me Mr. Ye." Her sweet, crisp voice was soothing, and the entire classroom erupted in deafening cheers. "Hooray!" The teenage boys, full of youthful vigor, unabashedly welcomed the beautiful teacher, instantly sweeping "old and frail" Mr. Huang out of their minds. Isn''t this the big sister who gave me that lingering look yesterday? In the back seat, Zhu Haomiao slightly frowned. Then, looking at the classmates cheering like baboons who have successfully mated, a trace of disdain involuntarily rose in his eyes. A bunch of weaklings, no restraint at all! Clap, clap~ Clapping her hands, a strange spiritual wave instantly soothed the classroom''s restlessness. Ye Wan Ning gestured a calming motion and opened the courseware with a smile. "Okay, let''s begin the class. First, roll call." "Zheng Chang." "Present." ... ... "Zhu Haomiao." "Present." Facing those bright, charming eyes at the podium, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably felt something strange. This woman doesn''t seem like a good person... Could she be here for me? Immediately, the boy mockingly smirked to himself. What am I thinking? The top of the three great life illusions¡ªshe likes me! Someone kindly buying you a milk tea, and you think they fancy you? A bit too confident, my friend! Shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao focused on Ye Wan Ning''s teaching. Surprisingly, her teaching level was quite impressive. Making complex concepts simple, humorous and witty, the key was, under the influence of a mysterious power, everyone''s attention was drawn to her words, knowledge "etched" into their minds in some subtle way, hard to forget. ...... "Alright, class is almost over. The last 10 minutes are for questions. If you have any questions, raise your hand." Unknowingly, the class time passed. Ye Wan Ning looked at the clock and walked off the podium with a smile. "Teacher, do you have a boyfriend?" A showy boy was the first to raise his hand, immediately causing a commotion in the classroom. Ye Wan Ning waved dismissively. "This is unrelated to the course, no comment, next question." "Teacher, did you also graduate from Central Super?" "To be exact, I haven''t graduated yet, so you can also call me Senior Sister." Hearing this, the students were instantly excited. "Senior Sister, is your supernatural power very strong? Can we see it?" Seeing the students'' expectant eyes shining, Ye Wan Ning chuckled and agreed. "Of course, are you ready?" "Ready!" The entire class focused their gaze on Ye Wan Ning. Seizing the moment, she raised her right hand and gently snapped her two long fingers. Snap~ Accompanied by a crisp finger snap, an invisible spiritual power swept across like ripples, and the entire classroom suddenly quieted; everyone''s gaze became hollow, losing focus. [Under Spirit Manipulation] The Book of Black issued a warning, but Zhu Haomiao found himself unable to control his body. His frail spirit was suppressed without resistance, the link between body and spirit severed and taken over, while he could only watch himself move stiffly like a puppet. "Stand up." Following Ye Wan Ning''s command, everyone in the class slowly stood up, gazing vacantly ahead. In the classroom''s front row, Ye Wan Ning discreetly observed the figure in the corner, squinting thoughtfully. His spiritual power was only at the level of an ordinary person. Seems he''s merely immune to mind probing but can''t resist simple brute-force Spirit Manipulation. Silently noting this, Ye Wan Ning focused her thoughts. "Sit down." Swish~ Everyone sat back down in unison. Then, the powerful spiritual energy, invisible to the naked eye, was retracted and withdrawn, and the students'' pupils in the classroom slowly constricted, regaining focus. "Wow!!!" "Holy crap! That was amazing! Holy crap!" ... Although it was only a few seconds, the entire classroom erupted. Everyone was shocked by the "out of control" experience earlier, exclaiming and venting their excitement. Once the students'' excitement subsided, Ye Wan Ning clapped to calm them down. "Okay, as long as you study hard, you too can master similar supernatural powers in the future..." However, this remark stirred long-buried concerns in the students'' hearts. After personally experiencing powerful and mysterious supernatural powers, they could no longer endure the school''s conservatism and couldn''t help but speak out. "Teacher, I''ve read many foreign studies saying deaths in the Illusion Realm have minimal impact on reality. Why doesn''t our country open the Illusion Realm completely like the West, allowing free access?" "We want to grasp Extraordinary Power like you sooner!" "Exactly! We''ve been admitted to Central Super, yet we still need to complete sixty credits to apply to enter the Illusion Realm; that''s just stupid!" "Right, even if we fill our course load, sixty credits would take until the second semester of sophomore year while many foreign peers are approaching Middle Heavenly Position!" ... Hearing the students'' complaints, Ye Wan Ning keenly sensed their anxiety and dissatisfaction, and her gaze gradually became serious. "Classmates, I understand your feelings. I had the same thoughts when I was your age, having to study boring textbooks while my foreign peers flaunted their powers. I felt like my heart was being scratched by a cat." Ye Wan Ning''s words silenced the classroom, and everyone looked at her in unison. Chapter 15 - 15: Everyone Carries a Gun, He Wont Act Recklessly "But you are no longer children. You must look beyond appearances to understand the essence of things..." "First, let me make it clear to you that many of the foreign research results you see are carefully packaged, representing the demands of the interest groups behind them. To put it plainly, they are tricking ordinary people into becoming cannon fodder in the Illusion Realm!" "This is an extremely irresponsible approach that, in essence, uses the Illusion Realm as a means of natural selection to sift out the talents they need." "As for over 90% of the mortals who get eliminated, what harm they suffer does not concern those Western vested interests." "In their eyes, ordinary people are just talking tools, mere consumables. To them, the lower class masses are not even considered human..." Amidst her calm speech, there was a hint of cruel chill that made everyone shudder. "Moreover, at the Initial Heavenly Position stage, an occasional death or two doesn''t cause obvious harm, but try reaching the Middle Heavenly Position?" "Not to mention, upon reaching the High Sky Rank, injuries sustained in the Illusion Realm can even reflect on your real life body to a certain extent!" "These are details that Western research reports don''t mention at all. In fact, they even use the power of public opinion to cover up, distort, and stifle any opposing viewpoints, thereby creating a form of political correctness..." "On the surface, it seems that everyone can enter and exit the Illusion Realm freely without any training or preparation, simply by paying money. It indeed gives people ''rights'' and lets them enjoy ''freedom''." "But they don''t realize that our ancestors said thousands of years ago that if you don''t teach the warriors, how can you recruit them? Recruiting without teaching is tantamount to killing." "No matter how Western media embellish and disguise it, entering the Illusion Realm is a highly dangerous act, a quasi-military action second only to real-world warfare." "Throwing a group of clueless civilians into the Illusion Realm, using natural selection to filter them, the government does nothing, finding the people they want with ease and efficiency while profiting from the gates of the Illusion Realm¡ªit''s a win-win situation for them." Ye Wan Ning curled her lips coldly, mocking laughter in her voice. "But common sense tells us that excessive freedom leads to disorder, and disorder brings chaos." "Even driving requires a license. Imagine, starting tomorrow, everyone can drive without any training or qualifications. What kind of scenario would that be?" Just thinking about it following her words, everyone couldn''t help but grimace. The scene was too beautiful to imagine! "Hmph, with our country''s current strict driving license policies, so many people still die from traffic accidents every year. If we let freedom run wild, a few hundred thousand deaths each year would be as easy as playing a game." "But comparatively, ''freedom of driving'' might at most lead to traffic paralysis and national chaos, with an extra few hundred thousand deaths annually¡ªthese are minor matters." "What''s truly terrifying is the rampant spread of supernatural power caused by ''freedom of the Illusion Realm''!" Ye Wan Ning propped her hand on the lectern, leaning forward slightly, her narrowed almond eyes glinting with a captivating chill. "Just imagine, if the person who just controlled your body was a bad person, and I made you walk one by one to the rooftop and hold hands to jump off, what then?" Her playful words resembled the freezing wind of the Extreme North, and everyone instantly broke out in goosebumps, drenched in cold sweat. That''s right! Just now, caught up in the shock and excitement, they forgot how terrifying this power truly is in essence. Seeing the students'' expressions of fear and terror, Ye Wan Ning nodded in satisfaction internally. "So, why are the supernatural disasters in our country significantly fewer than in other countries?" "Because the supernatural disasters caused by the coupling of the Illusion Realm and reality aren''t that frequent. Most supernatural disasters are actually man-made!" "People have desires. Some are greedy, some are lustful, some hold grudges, and some anger easily..." "It''s not a problem when they lack power, but when they possess powers beyond mortals... wielding a sharp blade, killing intent arises naturally. They will surely choose to use their supernatural power to fulfill their desires..." Listening to Ye Wan Ning''s leisurely recount, Zhu Haomiao ground his teeth with a strange expression. The army''s books are numerous, and each one bears my name! Who are you implying after all? Why don''t you just give my ID number! Don''t say things that aren''t conducive to unity, alright! However, completely oblivious to Zhu Haomiao''s feelings, Ye Wan Ning spoke with a tone filled with mockery. "Under the survivor bias, those who don''t survive can no longer speak. People will only see those lucky ones who rise to fame overnight, driving youngsters like you blindly rushing into the Illusion Realm..." "Of course, the West wouldn''t mention these things; they would only cheer for freedom." "As for those ''trash'' eliminated in the process, it''s naturally unimportant, and no one cares." "After all, the dead can''t talk, and they don''t have votes either." "They might even argue that the victims suffered harm because they lacked supernatural power. If they had supernatural power, would they still be harmed?" S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Therefore, there''s absolutely nothing wrong with opening the Illusion Realm. It should even be expanded!" "After all... everyone has a ''gun'', and they won''t cause chaos~" Listening to her utterly mocking words, not a single person present laughed, instead feeling a heavy sense of pressure. Because they are the future holders of these "guns"! They hold dual identities as military and police guardians, the armor of the people, the sharp sword of the nation! And for a long time, education has instilled in them a belief: the greater the power, the greater the responsibility! At this moment, a group of teenagers who have recently graduated from high school suddenly realized their mission, leading to a profound sense of pressure and an unparalleled sense of glory! On the other hand, Ye Wan Ning scanned around, looking at these students whose eyes now sparkled, and she couldn''t help but nod secretly in approval. Alright then, I won''t say you are the worst batch I''ve ever taught... With a slight curve to her lips, Ye Wan Ning tapped lightly on the desk and continued. "Of course, the country is currently reforming and optimizing relevant policies. In the future, it should be like obtaining a driver''s license; after passing a strict test, you can legally enter and exit the Illusion Realm." "Finally, as your senior and temporary teacher, I sincerely remind you." "Even the deaths in the Initial Heavenly Position Illusion Realm are not as harmless as they appear on the surface." "Every death is a damage to your Dao Heart and Fate Grid, and may even shorten your real-life lifespan." "Moreover, if you still have dreams of reaching the High Sky Rank, from the moment you step into the First Layer Heaven Illusion Realm, you must tread as if on the edge of an abyss, walking on thin ice, because each death gradually closes the mythical door to you." "Standing as a Human God in the high heavens is not easily achieved..." Chapter 16 - 16: Insulting Me Will Cost Extra! Ring~~~ As the conversation lingered, the class bell rang, and Ye Wan Ning packed up her things, heading straight to the back row. "Class dismissed!" "Also, Student Zhu Haomiao, come with me for a moment." While pondering whether the [Dao Heart] and [Book of Black] that Ye Wan Ning mentioned held the same meaning, Zhu Haomiao suddenly heard his name and lifted his head in confusion. "Huh?" A few seconds later, he realized what was happening, and his eyebrows began to knot. Oh no, this woman is indeed after me! The young man frowned, reluctantly following Ye Wan Ning out of the classroom under the astonished gazes of his classmates. "Mr. Ye, what''s the matter?" As he got closer, a faint body fragrance entered his nostrils, and the Original Sin within the young man surged instantly, his blood raced, and his body heated up. This was one of the main reasons Zhu Haomiao was unwilling to get involved with her. This woman is too dangerous... It''s dangerous for both me and her! Especially those watery peach blossom eyes, which made Zhu Haomiao feel the [Book of Black] stirring every time he met them, ready to issue a sensual warning at any moment. "I want to ask Student Zhu for a favor~" The bright and charming peach blossom eyes looked straight into the young man''s eyes, and instantly, Zhu Haomiao''s mind was struck, making it hard for him to refuse. Noticing the struggle in his eyes, Ye Wan Ning dropped her classroom authority and stately demeanor, her aura changed drastically, clasping her hands together, pleading softly. "I beg you ~ Please, please ~" Her adorable shoulders unconsciously swayed slightly, and the cute and coquettish tone with a hint of nasal sound instantly made one want to willingly do anything for her. So cute, I want to... S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Indulgence of Original Sin [Lust] +1 [Dao Heart] -1 "Hiss~" The young man awoke instantly, gasped, and made his excuses to leave. "My [Dao Heart] is unstable, shallow in knowledge, teacher, please ask someone else, farewell!" "Huh?" Hearing Zhu Haomiao''s incoherent refusal, Ye Wan Ning was stunned for two seconds, unable to believe there was really a mortal who could refuse her request. Fortunately, she heard this guy was quite short on money, and she still had an ace up her sleeve. "10,000 bucks!" Hiss~ Zhu Haomiao''s shoe soles screeched sharply on the tiles, as he froze in place. "What do you mean?" Turning around, the young man fixed his gaze on the woman, his serious and solemn look made Ye Wan Ning inexplicably nervous, fearing he might misunderstand her as insulting him with money. It''s said that this guy has a ridiculously high sense of dignity and a twisted personality; I must smooth his fur... "Don''t get me wrong, I just want to ask you to help me with a graduation project." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao frowned slightly. "What I said earlier about being shallow in knowledge was literal, not modesty." "I know." "Hm???" "No... I mean it''s okay, you''re the research subject, just lay down." "....." Zhu Haomiao slowly squinted his eyes, the cold gleam in his pupils full of oppression as he stepped forward. "Being researched??" "10,000 bucks?" "Lay down?!" "Are you insulting me?!" With every question, the young man advanced one step, his intimidating stance made Ye Wan Ning secretly bitter. Finally, Zhu Haomiao stood before Ye Wan Ning, his eyes clear and fierce, stared fixedly into her eyes. "Too little, you need to pay more!" "Huh?" "To insult me, you need to pay more!" Ye Wan Ning blinked her big eyes in bewilderment, taking a couple of seconds to sort out her thoughts, slightly furrowing her brows in confusion. What happened to all that unruliness, twisted personality, arrogance, and pride? If only I knew money would work, why did I beat around the bush so much?! "Then how much more?" "Two, no, three grand!" Not knowing how much this sucker could endure, Zhu Haomiao looked into her eyes and tentatively raised the price. "Deal!" Unexpectedly, Ye Wan Ning agreed without bargaining, and Zhu Haomiao instantly wore a pained expression. Damn, she''s a rich woman! Didn''t ask for enough! I''m screwed! ......... An hour later, Zhu Haomiao walked back to school with a blurry expression, his pockets stuffed with three thick stacks of cash. Three grand! How many meals would that buy? With the state subsidies at the school cafeteria, vegetarian dishes cost 1-2 bucks, meat 3-5, and rice 50 cents for unlimited refills... One times three is three, two times eight is twenty-four... can''t finish, simply can''t finish! Looking at what equated to over two years'' worth of living allowance, Zhu Haomiao''s heart initially swelled with a bit of satisfaction, but then an inexplicable surge of greater desire flooded him. Not enough! Far from enough! Since Ye Wan Ning has so much money, I should exploit her, drain her dry then sell her! She''s so pretty, she must fetch a good price! If that doesn''t work, I could disassemble and sell in parts! Subconsciously considering the feasibility of selling in parts and the prices of various human organs, Zhu Haomiao suddenly slapped his face. Indulgence of Original Sin [Greed] +1 [Dao Heart] -1 Stop deducting, stop deducting, or my [Dao Heart] will be all gone! As the greed subsided and rationality returned, Zhu Haomiao wiped his face tearlessly and stepped into a nearby supermarket. A few minutes later, the young man walked out carrying two large bags of snacks and fruits, striding toward the dormitory like a warrior carrying explosives. Hmph! You little things, tonight I''ll have you assist in my cultivation! Looking at the snacks in hand, Zhu Haomiao smirked coldly, and midway, he remembered something, taking a detour to the place where he fed the cat yesterday. "Third Senior Sister~" "Meow~" The beautiful tricolor cat emerged from the bushes, affectionately rubbing against the young man''s foot. "Were you scared yesterday?" Putting down the snacks and fruits, Zhu Haomiao picked up the kitten, stroking its smooth fur. "Meow~" The little tricolor pawed at the plastic bags, obviously sniffing the fragrance. "Tsk tsk, I bought you canned cat food today, but if you eat my can, you have to agree to be spayed~" Opening a can for the little tricolor, Zhu Haomiao watched as it took small licks, petting it absentmindedly. "Meow~" And in the not too distant shrubbery, a few little kittens seemed to smell the canned food, timidly poking their heads out, making anxious mewling sounds. Soon, a few little ones couldn''t resist the temptation of the can, mustering the courage to come out of the trees, sneaking over to Zhu Haomiao, and after a tentative bite, started scrambling for more. "Meep~ Meep~ Meep~" Just then, Zhu Haomiao noticed one of the little kittens had a peculiar call, and the mother cat kept nudging it, preventing it from snatching the can with the other kitties. "What''s up with you? Not your biological offspring?" Amused, the young man flicked the tricolor cat''s head, not expecting it to turn around and offer the little kitten to him. Chapter 17 - 17: Pet "Chirp~ chirp~ chirp~" Only at this moment did Zhu Haomiao realize that the little creature with its hands raised in a surrender position and its feet kicking in the air was not a cat but an indescribably cute and silly being. Its fur was as white as snow, and at first glance, it looked a bit like a miniature panda, but upon closer inspection, it seemed to have a bit of a ferret''s shadow. However, its pair of big, jet-black, watery eyes were as transparent as gemstones, a trait it shared with cats. "What does it mean? Is it a gift for me?" Watching the tricolor cat place this adorable little thing into his arms, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but think of all those "cat''s return gift" stories he''d seen online. Cats are very worried that their useless owner might starve to death if they can''t hunt for food, so the cat brings leftovers like sparrows, mice, frogs, and even snakes... And very "thoughtfully" places these things by the owner''s pillow, so that in some mornings, he can wake up quickly and scream in shock. Luckily, the gift he received was at least alive... Wait a minute, when you say it like that, this thing does look a bit like a mouse... The silly little creature didn''t even try to run while Zhu Haomiao picked it up; it kept its hands raised in surrender, its face full of terror, tearfully looking at the boy. "This little thing is quite distinctive..." Amused by its weak, helpless, and pitiful appearance, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment before putting it into his jacket pocket. Initially, he thought would keep it for fun, since he needed a pet to relax and shift his focus in daily life. After realizing that having a cat could calm his inner peace, Zhu Haomiao always wanted a pet. But due to previous overwhelming pressure, he was on the verge of exploding, so he postponed the idea. Now that the ticking time bomb in his heart has been defused, it''s time to lead a decadent and lavish life with a cat. Hmm... although this thing doesn''t look like a cat... Watching the little creature sneakily trying to climb out of the pocket, Zhu Haomiao offered it a piece of sausage, which made it freeze instantly. Then, the little creature slowly lifted its head to glance at Zhu Haomiao, then looked down at the sausage before it. Its two pink little paws, protruding from the pocket, wriggled anxiously, unsure whether to take the food offered to its mouth. Pitiful, helpless, afraid, but wants to eat.JPG "Go ahead and eat." With a gentle, imperceptible smile on his lips, Zhu Haomiao tucked the sausage into its hands before opening a can of cat food for the tricolor cat family, then leisurely made his way back to the dormitory. "Little Zhu, you''re back?" "Yeah." Responding to Uncle Zhu the gatekeeper''s greeting with a polite smile, Zhu Haomiao carried two bags of snacks back to his room and methodically placed them into the fridge. This empty appliance used to be completely useless because Zhu Haomiao was always in a state of hunger, storing everything he could eat into his stomach. "Chirp~" At that moment, a small head poked out from his jacket pocket, sniffing the air at the packed fridge and chirping while attempting to climb out. "Not full yet?" The piece of sausage he''d just given it was quite large, considering the little creature''s size, it should be full by now... He scooped it up and patted its flat stomach, puzzlement written on Zhu Haomiao''s face. Without further thought, the boy placed the little creature in the washbasin and turned on the hot water for a bath. "Chirp~" The little creature first squealed in fright, later finding no danger, it compliantly soaked in the "hot spring," its big watery eyes timidly watching Zhu Haomiao, allowing him to bathe it. Contrary to expectations, no fleas or similar parasites appeared in its fur; no matter how carefully Zhu Haomiao searched, he couldn''t find any, as the little creature was as clean as a house pet that bathes every day. Could it really be a lost youngling from somewhere nearby? But no, even a house pet mingling with stray cats for a few days should have some parasites... Pushing these minor concerns aside, Zhu Haomiao quickly let them go, drying the little creature with a towel and then using a hairdryer to blow its fur. A few minutes later, the boy looked at the silly creature sprawled on its back with its ears drooping, clinging to its fluffy tail, looking scared with a "fearful.jpg" expression, and he fell into deep thought. What exactly is this thing? A cat? Ferret? Baby panda? Mutant mouse? After pondering for a while, unable to identify the species of the creature before him with his limited biological knowledge, Zhu Haomiao decisively gave up. Forget it, maybe later I can ask a certain Tibetan fox... wait, there doesn''t seem to be a Tibetan fox director in this world... His thoughts quickly went astray. Zhu Haomiao placed the clean pet on the bed and, taking out the prepared food, began to eat. He deliberately chewed slowly, and when he was about a third full, the strange desire for [Gluttony] began to swell, prompting him to slow down his eating pace. "Chirp~" At that moment, Zhu Haomiao suddenly felt something tugging at his pants. Looking down, he found the little creature had somehow jumped off the bed and was clawing at his pant leg, trying to climb up. "So hungry that you''ve forgotten your fear, huh?" Grabbing it by the scruff of its neck, Zhu Haomiao placed the little creature onto the table, sharing some rice and meat chunks with it. Chomp chomp~ Watching the little creature happily devour its meal, Zhu Haomiao supported his chin with a gentle gaze, feeling a hint of a healing warmth and happiness. That feeling was somewhat like watching pandas eat bamboo in a past life, inexplicably capable of watching for half an hour. When he snapped out of it, the little creature had already finished its food, its pink little tongue licking its lips, looking pitifully at the boy. Craving more, wants to eat.jpg "Want more?" Inspecting its slightly bulging belly, Zhu Haomiao fed it again while absentmindedly eating his meal. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Realizing it, one person and one pet had already swept the table clear of food before Zhu Haomiao snapped back, astonished to realize he had unknowingly eaten half full! More crucially, compared to the difficult lunch earlier, he didn''t find it too hard! Holding the pet that was still licking its paws, Zhu Haomiao thoughtfully gazed into its jet-black, watery eyes. Was it influenced by this little guy? Does it also possess some supernatural power? But upon a closer look, the little creature on its back in his arms, hugging its fluffy tail tightly with fear on its face, didn''t seem to have any special powers... Never mind, I must be overthinking it. Cradling the pet, he lay back on the bed and stretched lazily, exhaling a breath of turbid air. Today was exhausting; any unresolved matters can wait until tomorrow. Sleep! As the mental strain he''d been holding eased, fatigue and drowsiness surged in like a tidal wave, and Zhu Haomiao collapsed onto the bed, aimlessly petting the creature as his breathing quickly became deep and light. The little creature, which had been enjoying the petting with closed eyes, stood up from the bedcover, glanced at the boy''s sleeping face, then at the nearby fridge, its eyes suddenly sharpening. .......... Chapter 18 - 18: Hard to Guard Against A Thief in the Family µÎÁ¤Á¤Á¤~~ The alarm clock''s noise rang out punctually at dawn. Zhu Haomiao irritably slapped it off, turned his head, covered it with the quilt, and fell back into a deep sleep. But three seconds later, he suddenly opened his eyes wide, sat up on the bed with a swoosh, and painfully scratched his head. Indulgence of Original Sin [Sloth] +1 [Dao Heart] -1 With the reminder of the Book of Black, Zhu Haomiao finally understood how he had managed to "train" his Seven Deadly Sins levels little by little over the past few months. This was the first time he had gotten up early in months, usually sleeping until noon or even the afternoon! Getting dressed and out of bed, he saw a white fluffy thing curled up sleeping beside his pillow. Only then did Zhu Haomiao remember that he had picked up a pet yesterday. Oh right, he had planned to take advantage of today''s free schedule without classes to buy things off-campus. Now it seems he''ll have to add a litter box and its food and water bowls, hmm... seeing this little thing seems pretty clever, he should be able to teach it to use a designated area for its business. Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao briskly got washed up and opened the fridge, ready to have a long-awaited breakfast. Pa~ Opening the fridge and seeing a bunch of empty packaging bags inside, the young man frowned and silently closed the fridge door. Did I wake up too suddenly? My fridge actually eats food by itself! Blinking his eyes, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a few seconds, opened the fridge for confirmation, and then slowly closed it again. Emmmmmmm¡­ Could it be that I sleepwalked last night and ate all the food? But why don''t I feel any sensation of it? Touching his flat stomach, Zhu Haomiao fell into contemplation again. If I have an unconscious foraging habit, the problem is quite serious! Who knows what bizarre thing I might end up chewing on, eating poop would be considered lucky¡ªwhat if I ate a person¡­ An image flickered in his mind of vaguely feeling a carnivorous urge towards "a certain victimized youth" in his out-of-control state the previous night. Zhu Haomiao''s brow began to furrow, and his mood grew heavier. People can''t, at least shouldn''t¡­ But apart from myself, there''s no one in this house¡­ wait a minute! A spark of insight, Zhu Haomiao looked at the fluffy white creature on the bed, squinting slightly. The small creature, still sleeping soundly, suddenly felt itself being lifted, scared enough to raise its hands in the air, letting out a babyish, fierce howl. "Woof!" "..." This little thing can bark like a dog? Its lineage is quite complex... Carrying the pet over to the fridge, pointing at that pile of oily paper bags, Zhu Haomiao stared intently into its eyes. "Was it you?" "Creak~" The little guy shivered all over, stiffly and unnaturally shifting its gaze, trembling like a sieve. "..." Seeing this familiar reaction, Zhu Haomiao remembered the dog he kept in a past life, and how that guy would also give this guilty look when caught rummaging through the trash bin. Case solved! Guard against day, guard against night, but it''s hard to guard against a family thief! This little rascal stole food from home on its first day! "You are not allowed to steal the food from the fridge anymore!" Ruffling its head fiercely, Zhu Haomiao let out a sigh of relief. As he loosened his hold, the little guy dashed to the bed like a white lightning bolt, burrowing into the quilt, only to perch out half of its little head after a moment, sneakily observing the young man. Grinning his teeth, Zhu Haomiao glared at it in exasperation, which scared the little guy back into the depths of the quilt instantaneously. "I''m going out, watch the house well and don''t run around." The little guy, quite spiritual, peeked its head out, responding with innocent confusion. "Creak~" ......... "Good morning, Su''e teacher." "Mm, good morning." Arriving at the school clinic, the elegant and mature female school nurse still seemed lazy, only perking up slightly upon seeing Zhu Haomiao. "Lie down on the bed, I''ll mix the medication for you right away." Obediently lying on the examination bed, the young man silently admired the busy side profile of the female school nurse as she mixed bottles of colorful medicines together. A faint warmth welled up in his heart, and he couldn''t help but slightly curl his lips¡­ Wait a minute!! Colorful?! The happy smile slowly faded, his gaze became instantly alert, watching Nangong Su''e gracefully bring a giant infusion bottle the size of 2 liters of cola. Wait, hold on there for a moment¡­ In that bottle, various vivid and striking colors mixed together, emitting a faint glow visible to the naked eye, with small pale golden particles floating up and down faintly. "Gulp~" Swallowing a dry mouthful of saliva, Zhu Haomiao watched as Nangong Su''e hung the huge "nutrient liquid" next to his head, grabbed his hand, and began searching for a vein. "Why are you dodging?" Noticing the young man''s evasion, Nangong Su''e oddly stared at him. "Teacher, is this stuff going to be injected into my vein?" "Of course, where else?" "..." I may not be very knowledgeable, but this stuff is glowing, it''s definitely over the radiation safety limit! Moreover, what is that floating golden dust in there?!! Initially thinking that the so-called "nutrient liquid" would just be glucose or vitamins or something, he never expected Teacher Su''e to take out such a hardcore thing! I''d believe you if you told me it''s a nuclear power plant fuel rod! Seeing the sheer terror on the young man''s face, Nangong Su''e realized what was happening, smirked, and pursed her lips. "What, afraid the teacher will harm you?" "Not exactly¡­" "Then why are you dodging? Lie still, don''t move!" With a flicker of a perfectly manicured finger against Zhu Haomiao''s forehead, Nangong Su''e decisively grabbed the young man''s hand and with lightning speed inserted the needle into the vein on the back of his hand. "..." Watching the needle being secured with adhesive tape by Nangong Su''e, Zhu Haomiao resigned himself to lying on the examination bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. I''ve led a wicked life, I guess I deserve this... Meanwhile, oblivious to the inexplicable internal drama of the young man, Nangong Su''e adjusted the flow rate of the medication, returned to her comfortable ergonomic chair, and continued playing on her tablet. For a moment, the school clinic fell silent. Zhu Haomiao could even hear the sound of his own even breathing. Soon, he felt the cool liquid entering his veins through the needle, a faint chill flowing through his body with his heartbeats. As the medication dissolved, a warm, satisfying fullness welled up throughout his body. In a daze, Zhu Haomiao felt as if his flesh was swelling step by step. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The long-lasting sense of comfort surged into his mind, as if soaking in a hot spring. Zhu Haomiao felt as though he was losing his weight, floating slowly upwards. His eyelids grew heavier and his breathing deeper. Meanwhile, sensing the young man''s drift into slumber, Nangong Su''e turned her head, glanced at his sleeping face, smiled gently, and returned her focus to the tablet screen. Who knows how long passed before Zhu Haomiao awoke from his deep sleep. In a drowsy daze, he turned his head, unexpectedly meeting a captivatingly beautiful smile. "Awake now?" "Mm." "Since you''re awake, hurry up and eat, it''s almost past meal time." Chapter 19 - 19: Spiritual Energy Recovery Gently reminding him of something, Nangong Su''e turned around to continue working, and it was only then that Zhu Haomiao noticed the needle had been removed from his hand, leaving just a small band-aid. "Teacher, is the nutrient liquid finished?" "Yes, it finished a while ago." "Then why didn''t you wake me up?" "I saw you were sleeping soundly, so I let you sleep a bit longer." "Then you haven''t eaten either, have you? Do you want to..." Before he could finish, Nangong Su''e spun her chair around, looking at Zhu Haomiao with a teasing smile. She stared at him for a few seconds before finally bursting into laughter and said, "You go eat, teacher still has a lot of work to do." "......" Watching her turn back to her work, Zhu Haomiao walked out of the school infirmary helplessly, with the gentle smile he saw upon waking inexplicably floating in his mind. At that moment, he felt his heart filled with something unexplainable, as if the whole world brightened up. Recalling that faint warmth and happiness, a smile crept onto the boy''s face. How happy would I be if I could wake up every morning to see Teacher Su''e''s gentle smile! If I could get a good morning kiss, then my life filled with mischief would be without regret! Vaguely, Zhu Haomiao realized his affection for Nangong Su''e had deepened a bit. If before, pursuing her was more about using her as a tool to control his desires, now that consideration had become negligible. The only problem now is, she may not like me... Or more accurately, she doesn''t even see me as a man, always treating me like a child. How frustrating! Thirty years... Forget it, let''s not think about it... With a troubled heart, Zhu Haomiao went to the cafeteria, transforming his sorrow into strength, and devoured a huge table of food, stopping painfully at seven-tenths full. "Controlled [Gluttony], [Dao Heart]+3" Slumped in a chair, almost exhausted, Zhu Haomiao took nearly half an hour to catch his breath, wiping the fine sweat off his forehead. But glancing at the information on the [Book of Black], he couldn''t help but let out a satisfied sigh. Honestly, watching the [Dao Heart] increase little by little feels quite rewarding... All this effort eating this meal wasn''t in vain. Taking a deep breath, the boy tidied up his plate, left the school, and headed to the nearest shopping street, spending an afternoon choosing a phone and a laptop, instantly reducing the cash in his pocket by a third. Then he went on a shopping spree at a nearby supermarket, and by the time Zhu Haomiao returned to the dorm with his large purchases, the sunset was almost disappearing behind the horizon. "Little Zhu is back, wow, bought so much stuff? Let me help you carry it." "No need, no need, thank you, Uncle Zhu, I can carry it myself!" Although he was almost overwhelmed, Zhu Haomiao was not thick-skinned enough to let a one-armed elder help him carry heavy stuff, so he hastily declined. Refusing the gatekeeper''s kind offer, as soon as Zhu Haomiao returned to his dorm, a sneaky little head popped out from the bedding, staring at him with excitement and admiration. "Chirp~" Inexplicably sensing the admiration from the little creature, Zhu Haomiao waved his hand, and a fluffy, white-furred cute creature jumped to his feet, wiggling its little butt as a big fluffy snowy tail wagged excitedly behind it, with large, expectant eyes. This guy... does it think I''ve gone hunting? Thinking about how cats might admire a master who brings home a lot of prey, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. "Behave in the future, and this master will grant you a life of luxury and riches!" Ruffling the little creature''s head, Zhu Haomiao took out the food bowl and water bowl he had bought specially for it, filled them with food, freeze-dried treats, and chicken breast, then poured litter into the litter box and placed it in the bathroom, finally having some time to unpack his things. Crunch, crunch~ Watching the little creature eat happily, Zhu Haomiao smiled and sorted the various foods he bought into the refrigerator. But as he did, his smile slowly faded as he realized something. No way! I bought the food according to my consumption yesterday, and I had estimated there were at least ten pounds left in the fridge, but that pesky rat... Glancing at the pet eating intently, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment and called it over. "Come here." Hearing the call, the little creature turned around, licking its lips with a pink tongue, and walked to Zhu Haomiao''s feet like it understood human words, rubbing its head against his ankle affectionately. "Chirp~" Looking at this fluffy, soft, cute creature, Zhu Haomiao picked it up, feeling its delightfully soft belly, and fell into deep thought. How did it manage to consume food that''s ten times its volume and weight overnight? Eat and vomit, and eat again? No, I haven''t seen any vomit or waste. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unless... it knows how to flush the toilet by itself... But regardless of how he examined it, aside from its extreme cuteness, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t find anything special about it, leaving him suspicious as he set it down. "Chirp~" As soon as he let go, the little creature quickly scurried back to its corner to continue eating, as if it feared the food would vanish if it was too slow. "Hmm..." Pondering for a few seconds, Zhu Haomiao started contemplating whether to toss this mysterious and strange little creature out. It dared to steal food today, and tomorrow it might dare to steal people! "Chirp~" As if sensing his thoughts, the furry little creature stopped eating, deftly jumped onto the boy''s shoulder, and gently rubbed its head against his cheek. "Mhm~" The kitten-like cooing instantly melted Zhu Haomiao''s heart. Looking at its pitiful big eyes, he couldn''t bear to be ruthless and let out a helpless sigh. Forget it, I''ll find a biology expert to ask about it later. Clearing his mind of distractions, Zhu Haomiao opened up the new laptop he bought, connected it to the dorm''s network, and began exploring supernatural information about this world. In 1999, Spiritual Energy Recovery, Divine Awakening, the return of the stars... Nine Heavens of Illusion Realm, Ascension, Initial Heavenly Position, Middle Heavenly Position, High Heavenly Position... Humans have Fate Grids, Mortal Destiny, Heroic Destiny, God''s Destiny... Magical items, Magical Treasures, Divine Artifacts, Holy Objects... True Objects... An overwhelming amount of information flooded into his brain, Zhu Haomiao verifying it internally, making those abstract textbook concepts gradually become concrete and vivid. It was only then that he gained a somewhat vague understanding of this world he traversed to. The largest divergence from Earth in his previous life should be the inexplicable "Spiritual Energy Recovery" at the end of the last century. Of course, "Spiritual Energy Recovery" is just the term used in the Chinese cultural sphere; different civilizations around the world have their own terms. Chapter 20 - 20: C7 Forum What Great Revival, Divine Awakening, the return of the stars, Doomsday Judgment... but essentially they''re all referring to one thing. However, no matter how Zhu Haomiao searched, all the information about "Spiritual Energy Recovery" on the web remained vague and unclear. Instead, there were plenty of unreliable conspiracy theories and jokes, with various true and false bits of information making it nearly impossible to extract anything useful. Thinking back to the textbooks, the term "Spiritual Energy Recovery" was merely mentioned in passing with just four words¡ª[Heaven and Earth Reconnect]. Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but think of an ancient mythology. "Yao commanded Xi He to govern the heavenly seasons and earthly rituals, ensuring that heavenly gods did not descend and earth spirits did not rise to heaven, maintaining order without interference, thus creating¡ªSevering Earth and Heaven." Severing Earth and Heaven! Heaven and Earth Reconnect! It all connects in a loop! Vaguely, Zhu Haomiao felt like he grasped something, but upon further thought, he couldn''t nail down any specifics. After pondering for a while, Zhu Haomiao shook his head, temporarily setting aside his doubts, and continued seeking useful information online. Soon after, a trending search on a certain topic caught his attention. ...... The comment section was full of quirky theories, then the familiar classic transitions began: this nation how, definite body question, I deep thought. Hiss~ Zhu Haomiao sucked his cheek, painfully massaging his forehead, his mind buzzing. This flavor is too overwhelming, don''t they ever update the version in this Otherworld? We''ve already moved on to new techniques over here! Please, give us a hand! Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but let out a long sigh, his brain aching from the familiar taste. Mr. Ye was right indeed! Every world''s critters really are the same! Damn it! How can you manage a nation with these critters around? Only someone like me, with firm beliefs, noble character, humility, and kindness... In his musings, Zhu Haomiao''s mind suddenly conjured various rebellious thoughts, making him silently cover his mouth. Hmm... At least I haven''t had the chance to do anything wicked yet! Planning a crime and committing a crime are not the same! As long as I haven''t taken action, I''m a decent person! Exactly! I''m a good person! Simplifying the logic slightly, Zhu Haomiao nodded firmly, strengthening his own [Dao Heart], and continued searching for information online. He wanted to find out how he could legally enter the Illusion Realm early. Ye Wan Ning had previously explained the principles, but his situation clearly couldn''t be generalized. In the real world, he''s like a powder keg, perhaps entering the Illusion Realm might provide a way to restrain himself. He had tried meditation, Zen, quiet cultivation, and sitting still in reality. While not entirely useless, their effects were marginal at best. He finally understood that without gaining the seeds of extraordinary power in the Illusion Realm, cultivating solely in reality was almost futile. Transcendent powers can only be obtained in transcendent environments... After extensive searching, Zhu Haomiao discovered that the information online was mixed, of varying quality. Even he, with only brief formal training, could see that much of the information was filled with amateurs'' silly imaginings about professionals, so naive it was laughable. Eventually, Zhu Haomiao found that all high-quality glimpses of information pointed towards a professional internal forum. "C7 Forum¡­" A forum jointly created by seven domestic Supernatural Academies, requiring a student ID to register... And [Central Super] is one of the members of C7! "..." So, did I just skip the game''s beginner tutorial and went straight to fighting monsters and leveling up like an idiot? Looking at the registration page, Zhu Haomiao suddenly recalled that some teacher had mentioned this before, but at the time, he was too focused on eating, lazing, and sleeping, so he quickly forgot all about it! Remembering it wouldn''t have helped anyway, since at that time he didn''t even have a computer or a phone, he spent all his money on food... Pulling out his student ID, Zhu Haomiao successfully registered as a member, instantly opening a new world. "Chinese Martial Arts is the strongest! No arguments allowed!" "I''ll strike you down with a [Nine Heavens Divine Thunder]!" "Then I''ll use [Eight Forces Combined], how would you respond?" "Using two of the Eight Basic Forces makes you a [Heroic Destiny] expert, three makes you a [God''s Destiny] prodigy, [Eight Forces Combined]? What kind of destiny do you think you have?!" "You mage sissies are all aimless salted fish, a real man turns the impossible into the possible!" "Magnetic field freaks, get out of C7!" "Crude brute! Daydreaming!" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Stop arguing everyone, we Shushan Sword Immortals are the strongest, cultivating both martial arts and spells, able to take a head from a thousand miles away, invincible!" "Go away, you heretic!" ¡Á2 ...... After watching for a while, Zhu Haomiao found that the daily forum debates revolved around the [Martial Arts System vs Magic System]. Debating whether [Martial Arts] or [Spell] systems were superior, something that has no real conclusion, yet everyone was enthusiastically arguing daily. However, from their debates, Zhu Haomiao also gathered a lot of useful information. The [Martial Arts] in China is an extremely outstanding and mature system among all worldwide [Combat Professions], showing great strength in most low-mystery Illusion Realms. Highly versatile, strong survival ability, capable of solo combat, as well as group operations... But its weakness is the lack of effective methods against [Void Spirit] creatures in the early stages, let alone those unreasonable Law-type monsters. However, Magic professions are precise opposites, specializing in dealing with [Void Spirits], with much greater perception and detection range than martial artists, and high resistance to mystery. Their weakness is weak solo combat ability in the early stages, reliance on protection, and fear of getting ambushed. Of course, there is also a dual cultivation system of martial arts and magic, but mastering it well is called [All-Purpose], otherwise, it''s just [All-incompetent]. Usually only those who see themselves as [Heroic Destiny] or even [God''s Destiny] prodigies choose this path. So, which path should I choose? Chapter 21 - 21, U18 Ascension Competition Zhu Haomiao pondered for a long time, asking himself, and still leaned towards the [Martial Arts] system. Because of the secret of controlling the [Book of Black], he needed to conceal his abnormality as much as possible. For a very long time in the future, he was destined to be a lone wolf. Lacking the protection of teammates, the [Martial Arts] system, which has stronger independent survival skills, is more suitable for him... More importantly, Chinese Martial Arts just sounds so cool! It suits a bright and cheerful boy like him! With a plan in mind, Zhu Haomiao continued searching the forum, and soon found the information he was looking for. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. It turns out he wasn''t the only one eager to enter the Illusion Realm; all the freshmen in the Super 7 Alliance aspired to do the same! And answers had already been provided in the forums. "The simplest way is to go abroad, foreign Illusion Realms only require money to enter, and there are even many privately opened [Doors] that are much cheaper than the official [Doors], with high cost-effectiveness, five-star recommendation!" "Secondly, you can look for [Private Sects] domestically, but most of these [Cave Heaven Blessed Lands] are controlled by major traditional sects for internal use only, outsiders are rarely granted access, and most civil [Private Sects] are suspected of breaking the law, so not recommended." "Lastly, there''s an unconventional method, which is to apply for the [U18 Ascension Competition]; as long as you qualify, you can bypass credit limitations and directly participate in Illusion Realm battles." "The downside is that it''s limited to participants under 18 years old, and you can only enter the competition-designated Illusion Realm, but the exclusive realms are all newly discovered [Boundless Types], with complete laws, vast worlds, allowing all systems to fully exert their power without weakening." "Of course, although [tilling the land] is tough, participants can reap the benefits of [Qi Fortune] and [True Objects], a rare opportunity for confident geniuses." "Moreover, there''s an inconspicuous advantage... participating in such an important global competition not only exempts you from Illusion Realm entrance fees but also provides a daily living allowance during the competition!" Living allowance?! Quickly capturing the keyword, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes instantly became sharp, leaning closer to the screen to read carefully. "Lastly, Ascension Competition spots are precious, most are pre-allocated to prodigies who became famous young, even a deputy professor or higher in our Super 7 Alliance can only recommend someone, and it''s not guaranteed to be approved, so... maintain good relations with your mentors." Deputy professor or higher... Pondering these five words, Zhu Haomiao''s brows gradually knitted together. He couldn''t even bother to remember the names of his previous teachers; where would he find a deputy professor... or higher? Frowning, Zhu Haomiao continued scrolling down the webpage to see if there were any suggestions in the comments. "It''s very simple, I just mentioned it to my principal dad, and by the next day, I had the competition qualification." "That''s right, really simple, I just mentioned it to my department head dad, and by the next day, I had the competition qualification." "Simple +1, I just mentioned it to my doorman dad, and by the next day, I had the competition qualification." "Simple +2, I..." "Simple +3," ..... A bunch of people lined up making jokes, until someone actually showed their competition qualification certificate with a note. "Isn''t this given to you when you enroll?" "..." All those who had been joking earlier fell silent, and after what seemed like ages, someone finally typed out in bold, enlarged font, a "howl of anguish." "Bastard! You''re really despicable!!!!!!!" What followed was a barrage of impotent fury over several hundred posts. Zhu Haomiao glanced through them and found nothing of value, so he looked away from the screen, leaning back on the chair, lost in thought as he gazed at the ceiling. Going abroad... pass Civil [Private Sects]... entry fees range from thousands to tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands, and I''m broke... pass The only choice left for myself... Hmm... My body''s under 18 years old, which meets the requirements, but the problem is... where do I get the recommendation? And the registration deadline is approaching fast! Scratching his head in frustration, Zhu Haomiao suddenly noticed the little creature that had finished eating its food was now on the table, crouching beside the computer, licking its paws happily. You little monster! If you dare lick your paws today, tomorrow you''ll dare eat humans! I can''t let you off! Grabbing the bewildered pet, he buried his face in its fur and took a deep breath, feeling instantly refreshed as the restlessness and agitation in his heart gradually faded. "Eek~" The little creature let out a weak chirp, its gem-like moist eyes curiously staring at Zhu Haomiao, unable to comprehend its owner''s puzzling behavior of hugging it and taking a deep breath, its tiny head filled with big questions. "It''s about time I gave you a name..." Gently stroking the sleek white fur, Zhu Haomiao contemplated for a moment, speaking to himself. "You look like a mink and a cat, how about calling you Mink Cat?" "Eek~" The little creature tilted its head, blinking cutely, even more puzzled. "Mink Cat... dang fur... um... forget it, let''s change it." Scratching his head, Zhu Haomiao suddenly noticed the nearby empty food bowl, a spark of inspiration lighting up his mind. "Greedy... Mink... how about we call you [Diao Chan]?" "Eek?" The little creature tilted its head to the other side, still blankly looking at Zhu Haomiao. Zhu Haomiao casually opened a package of chicken breast, tore off a small piece, and placed it on top of the little creature''s head. "Diao Chan." "Eek eek eek~" The little creature stood up on two legs, desperately trying to reach the chicken breast with its pink front paws, anxiously chirping. "Diao Chan." "Eek~" Once it understood, it received a piece of chicken breast. Soon, the clever little creature knew that the words [Diao Chan] were calling it. Ding~ At this moment, a notification came from the phone nearby, indicating that the previous friend request had been approved. "It''s the 21st century, and you''re the only human I''ve seen without a phone!" Upon checking the phone, the avatar of a cartoon cat stared at him as Ye Wan Ning showered him with complaints. Zhu Haomiao responded without a shred of guilt, "I''m an orphan, poor." After crossing over to this world, he''s indeed an orphan, and indeed poor, the Engel Coefficient is about to explode! On the other end of the call, Ye Wan Ning suddenly sat up from bed, her features slowly furrowing, her fingers fidgeting as if wanting to say something, but finding nothing appropriate, she could only grimace and gently slap herself. "I really deserve to die!" After an awkward silence, Ye Wan Ning forced herself to change the subject. "So... do you have time tomorrow?" "I have time." "Can you come to meditation room 302 in building 9 of District 13 in the morning?" "Sure." "Alright, it''s a date then, see you tomorrow." "See you tomorrow." Chapter 22 - 22: I Should Really Be Dead! Closing the chat interface, Zhu Haomiao got up and looked out the window. The bright moonlight cast a silver veil over the earth, and the entire campus had a faint sense of tranquil dreaminess. "Hmm... Time for bed, gotta get up early tomorrow..." Stretching lazily, Zhu Haomiao tossed the still smacking Diao Chan into its cat bed, then lay back on his own. But before he could fall asleep, a small figure jumped onto the bed, stealthily crawling over his face and curled up sneakily on the other side of the pillow. Zhu Haomiao: ".........." I specifically bought you a bed and you won''t sleep in it, but you insist on crowding me?! "Diao Chan." "Chirp~" "What''s in the fridge, I bestow it upon you, is yours. If I don''t give it, you can''t steal it." "Chirp?" "If the fridge is empty again when I wake up tomorrow morning, I''m going to make you into dried rat!" "Chirp??" Zhu Haomiao didn''t care whether the little thing understood or not and closed his eyes, quickly drifting into dreamland. Meanwhile, at three in the morning, Ye Wan Ning suddenly sat up in bed and slapped herself in frustration. "I''m so screwed!" .............. The next morning, Zhu Haomiao was awakened by a tickling on his face. Opening his eyes, he found Diao Chan happily licking his face, humming as it did so. "Hmm, woo~" Finally licking its master awake, Diao Chan let out a happy chirp and nimbly jumped off Zhu Haomiao''s face, scampering to its food bowl and wagging its tail like mad. "Hmm, woo~ hmm, woo~~" Hearing its urgent urging, any thought Zhu Haomiao had of going back to sleep was thoroughly quashed, and he resignedly got out of bed. "Chirp chirp~" Diao Chan quickly scurried over, following closely at the boy''s side like a little shadow. Opening the fridge to see it stocked full of food, Zhu Haomiao nodded approvingly and casually patted Diao Chan''s little head. "Good, well done, I reward you with two bags of chicken breast!" "Chirp~" After fixing Diao Chan a big bowl of food heavier than itself, Zhu Haomiao finally had the time to freshen up. After a light snack to pad his stomach, Zhu Haomiao took off his pajamas and was about to change for the day when he suddenly stopped in front of his reflection in the mirror. Wait a minute! Have I gained weight? Even though at first glance he still looked thin, upon closer inspection it became apparent that the gaps between his ribs were fuller than before, no longer resembling the skeletal frame that used to show every bone detail. Has controlling [Gluttony] had such a noticeable effect? Joy welled up in Zhu Haomiao''s heart, but he quickly realized that he had only been eating "normally" for two or three days, which couldn''t account for such a significant change. Soon, a bottle of colorful "nutrient liquid" floated into his mind. That stuff... was definitely not your average nutrient liquid! Clenching his fists and feeling his noticeably stronger body, Zhu Haomiao suddenly noticed a change in the [Book of Black] that he hadn''t seen before. [God]: 0.6¡ü [Dexterity]: 0.5¡ü [Strength]: 0.4¡ü [Essence]: 0.3¡ü [Qi]: 0.3¡ü [Body]: 0.4¡ü There was an upward arrow after all six-dimensional attributes! When did this appear? Was there no notification because it was a gradual growth? After pondering for a moment, Zhu Haomiao decided to swing by the school clinic that afternoon for a free¡ªoops, that is, to snag another tube of nutrient liquid! Such good stuff doesn''t cost anything? The benefits at Central Super are truly amazing! Sighing with feeling, Zhu Haomiao pushed open the door and walked ten-odd minutes to the meditation room where he was supposed to meet. To his surprise, Ye Wan Ning, who he thought would come a little later, was already waiting in the classroom, although she looked a bit drowsy as if she hadn''t slept well the previous night. "Good morning." Seeing Zhu Haomiao walk into the meditation room, Ye Wan Ning forced a weak smile. "Good morning." Zhu Haomiao nodded calmly and suddenly noticed a steaming pile of breakfast placed in front of him. "Yuanqing Building''s buns. I didn''t know what flavor you like, so I bought a bit of everything. There''s also porridge, soy milk, and pickles." "......" Zhu Haomiao was silent for a moment, initially wanting to tell her that he had already had breakfast, but... the buns in front of him smelled too good! "Thank you." Politely accepting the breakfast, Zhu Haomiao sat down to eat slowly, his eyes involuntarily showing a happy smile. No wonder Yuanqing Building''s buns are so delicious! Too bad they''re too expensive to have afforded before... Seeing the genuine and pure smile on his face, Ye Wan Ning, who hadn''t slept all night, felt a slight fade in her guilt. Maybe I''m not so screwed after all... Quickly, Ye Wan Ning recalled the first time she met him, the boy squatting by the street watching her with longing in his eyes over a cup of milk tea, and a wave of guilt and pity surged in her heart. Poor child, he must go hungry often to be so skinny... Unbeknownst to Ye Wan Ning, she had developed a subtle misunderstanding. Seeing her teary-eyed gaze, Zhu Haomiao hesitated, battled internally, and eventually offered his bun. "Here." "Ah?" Ye Wan Ning was briefly stunned before reacting with amused relief. Were you really considering that hesitation? Nevertheless, after a brief pause, Ye Wan Ning took the bun, gently nodded, and smiled. "Thank you." "It was your breakfast to begin with; I should be the one thanking you." "But it''s you who gave me this bun." "......" Enough, it stings my heart a little. Seeing Ye Wan Ning take a small bite of the bun, Zhu Haomiao felt like it was biting into his heart, his flesh aching, so he quickly shifted his focus to the remaining food. Without saying more, the two ate in silence, and Zhu Haomiao soon gobbled down the heap of delicious food. "Alright, Mr. Ye, let''s get started." After eating and drinking his fill, Zhu Haomiao dusted off his hands and said with fighting spirit. "You don''t have to call me Mr. Ye outside the classroom. I''m just a teaching assistant and haven''t even graduated; just call me Senior Sister." S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing that, Zhu Haomiao''s interest was piqued. "Senior Sister, do you know any professors who are associate level or above?" "Ah? Associate level or above? I do know some, but most of the time they''re in the Illusion Realm and rarely return to the real world, so they might be hard to reach. Do you have something you need?" "I......." Zhu Haomiao shared his desire to participate in the [U18 Ascension Competition] with Ye Wan Ning, causing her to repeatedly shake her head. "I participated in the [U18 Ascension Competition] back in the day, but honestly, the contestants are all geniuses who build foundations with elders in the Illusion Realm from a young age. Someone like you as a complete novice is at a significant disadvantage; virtually no mentor would recommend you." "Huh? Isn''t there a national prohibition on..." Cutting off, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized that the nation had never imposed a blanket ban on exiting and entering the Illusion Realm, merely setting a series of soft restrictions. If someone is exceptionally gifted, they could indeed complete this accumulation early. Chapter 23 - 23: Sleeping Anywhere and Everywhere On the other side, seeing Zhu Haomiao''s look of sudden realization, Ye Wan Ning smiled and nodded. "The educational models for geniuses and mortals cannot be generalized." "Everyone''s temperament and Fate Grid are different. Some people are born smart, able to see through confusion from a young age and clearly understand their Dao Heart, which naturally allows them to enter the Illusion Realm earlier." "Dao Heart?" "Yes, in other countries, it''s also called Soul Strength, intention, will, self-awareness, et cetera. But I still think our Dao Heart description is more accurate." "Though Dao Heart is intangible and invisible, it is more important than all concrete conditions." "It can dispel confusion, firm one''s true heart, resist invisible distortion and corruption. It is the strong inner root of a person!" "This knowledge was supposed to be taught to you in the latter half of this school year..." Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s serious expression, Ye Wan Ning sighed helplessly. "Another reason I don''t have high hopes for you is that you''re not only way behind other contestants in strength, but also a blank slate in transcendent knowledge." "Rashly entering the vast Illusion Realm of the Boundless Type, let alone compete with geniuses from other countries, just surviving would be as hard as ascending to the sky." "Lastly, you mentioned it too late. The registration is about to end, and by now, the slots have surely been allocated. Who would give up a spot for you now?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao unwillingly bit his lip. "Is there really no way?" Seeing the young man''s stubborn and unwilling expression, Ye Wan Ning''s heart softened. "I''ll ask around for you, but don''t hold too much hope." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao gazed sincerely into Ye Wan Ning''s eyes, filled with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you, senior sister, you''re such a good person." Being inexplicably handed a kindness card, Ye Wan Ning was amused and pouted. "Alright, back to the topic, do you know why I asked you to come?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao honestly shook his head. "Because there''s something special about you. Your brain... no, your soul has something powerful in its depths that shields my perception of you." The Book of Black?! Zhu Haomiao''s heart shuddered but soon calmed down. It''s not that he underestimated Ye Wan Ning, but the Book of Black belongs to another dimension''s product, transcending forms of existence like time and space, unable to be pondered upon with categories like cause and effect, attribute, existence, logic, or non-existence. Even what he holds is merely a projection from a higher dimensional level mapped into reality. Theoretically speaking, everyone can only indirectly recognize the Book of Black through the anomalies it exhibits. Humans... due to the limitations of their own existence, can never understand Transcendent Objects. On the other hand, it''s impossible to completely conceal one''s divine anomaly. If real danger arises, he cannot sit idle; he must unleash the power of the Book of Black. Moreover, a "victimized youth" whose name we still do not know had already leaked it once, but after so many days have passed without the police seeking him, it indicates that the bit of supernatural power is not noticeable in this world, at least not enough to require law enforcement intervention. In the future, as he aims to ascend step by step to the Heaven Rank, such occurrences will inevitably increase. Therefore, the best response strategy is not to cover up but to openly mislead, making people focus on him as a person rather than link it to the soul and Alien Object from another time and space. Understanding this, Zhu Haomiao calmed down and candidly looked at Ye Wan Ning. "How do you need me to cooperate with you?" "It''s simple, just lie down." Pointing to the examination bed already prepared beside, Ye Wan Ning laughed gracefully. Zhu Haomiao: "......" Originally thinking that the previous ''lie down'' was merely a metaphor, he didn''t expect it to literally mean to lie down!? With a complex expression, as he lay down on the examination bed, a familiar feeling inexplicably surged, and Zhu Haomiao instinctively clenched his fists. For now, I am at the mercy of others! Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river. Never underestimate a young man... Wait a minute, I''ve experienced this situation before somewhere... "Don''t be nervous, senior sister will be very gentle," Seeing the young man''s body tense, Ye Wan Ning joked. Immediately, a faint spiritual power diffused from her forehead, evenly covering Zhu Haomiao''s whole body. On the other side, discovering that Ye Wan Ning was just staring at him with her eyes slightly glowing, Zhu Haomiao waited for a long time without feeling anything special, and his tense muscles gradually relaxed, uncontrollably yawning. "You can sleep if you want, don''t mind me, just sleep peacefully." "Uh... isn''t that a bit inappropriate." After receiving 30,000 from you, do I just come and take a nap? Otherwise, why don''t you hit me once, otherwise I''m uneasy taking this money. "It''s fine, as a matter of fact, sleeping would be even better!" "......" If you keep talking like this, I''m gonna get very sleepy! After holding on for more than ten minutes, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but yawn again, and his consciousness gradually faded away. So boring... so sleepy... By the way, this isn''t Sloth, I''m seriously working here... Don''t deduct my Dao Heart... S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The last trace of consciousness still mumbled about his Dao Heart, and Zhu Haomiao soon fell completely asleep, breathing softly. When he opened his eyes again, the sun outside the window was hanging right in the center of the sky. "......" The supernatural power of Sloth wouldn''t be falling asleep anywhere, would it? All well, at least I won''t have to worry about insomnia in the future... Savoring his lips, Zhu Haomiao got out of bed and turned to see Ye Wan Ning sitting nearby, scratching her head over a pile of data. In a trance, Zhu Haomiao remembered the time right after his transmigration, when many medical personnel would scratch their heads over his various examination reports. "Senior sister, did you find anything?" "Hmm... very strange! This is unscientific!" That''s the same as what those medical staff said back then! Grumble grumble~ At this moment, the "crying" from the young man''s stomach interrupted Ye Wan Ning''s thoughts. She looked up at the slightly embarrassed Zhu Haomiao, then checked the time before realizing. "Sorry for delaying you; go and eat quickly." "Uh... senior sister, would you like to join me?" "No need, I have to carefully analyze this data." Seeing Ye Wan Ning''s serious, immersed thought process, Zhu Haomiao could only quietly exit the meditation room, embarking on his path of Cultivation alone. "Mastering Gluttony, Dao Heart +3" More than an hour later, Zhu Haomiao lay lifelessly on a cafeteria chair, eyes blankly staring at the ceiling. Every noon meal feels like a tribulation, and there''s no enjoyment in eating! Yet I have to eat as much as possible to hone my Dao Heart, ideally at the mental and physical limit, not like just going through the motions as with breakfast and dinner... Chapter 24 - 24: There Are Still Many Good People in This World Why don''t I... try bringing Diao Chan out next time? But at most, it can only divert my attention and cannot truly suppress the agitation of [Gluttony]. After being five or six tenths full, I still have to rely on willpower to fight against the madness of instincts. The real cure is still to enhance the [Dao Heart]! Zhu Haomiao had a vague premonition that as long as the level of [Dao Heart] surpassed [Original Sin], then it would become much easier for him. He wouldn''t be in this current state, like a child riding a wild horse, about to be thrown off with a kick of its hoof, completely unable to control it! Sighing, Zhu Haomiao tidied up his mood and leisurely made his way to the school infirmary. "I thought you weren''t coming today? Don''t you have classes this afternoon?" In the infirmary, Nangong Su''e was still in her usual indolent manner, with a faint, indifferent smile at the corner of her lips, as if she had seen through worldly affairs, or maybe immersed in the tranquility of her inner world. Her graceful, voluptuous figure leaned back on an ergonomic chair, exuding a quiet, lazy charm that filled the room. She resembled a bored cat, sprawled on the chair, yawning lazily, drawing people irresistibly to her alluring charisma. "Uh... I do have classes, but I felt that getting a freebie¡ªno, I mean, treating my body is more important!" It took a great deal of willpower for Zhu Haomiao to break free from the allure of Teacher Su''e''s charm. He vaguely realized that the charm she unconsciously exuded must be of supernatural level; otherwise, he would not be so overwhelmed and frequently lose focus. Upon hearing this, Nangong Su''e rolled her eyes at him with mild annoyance, her coquettish glance making Zhu Haomiao''s heart skip a beat again. "Lie down." "..." Why do all you women ask me to lie down? Am I a public restroom? Lie down whenever you want? Clenching his fists, Zhu Haomiao was momentarily angered, but then obediently lay down on the examination bed. On the other side, Nangong Su''e prepared the potion, coming over with the same colorful nutrient liquid as yesterday to hang it on the infusion stand. "From now on, attend your classes obediently, no skipping. Do you hear me?" While giving him an injection, Nangong Su''e kept nagging. "Oh..." As Zhu Haomiao lay by her side, listening to her continuous nagging and smelling the faint osmanthus fragrance she emanated, his heart gradually settled into peace and tranquility. Various bubbling desires that had been churning inside like boiling water slowly dissipated, and he unexpectedly found that serene, indifferent state he had in a past life. "Teacher Su''e..." "Hmm?" "Do you know any mentors above associate professor level?" "I am one, why?" "Ah??!!" Zhu Haomiao shot up before he could speak, but Nangong Su''e reached out with a slender finger and gently pressed him back down on the forehead. "Lie back and don''t move!" "..." After she had taped the gauze to his hand, Zhu Haomiao finally spoke up. "Teacher, I want to participate in the [U18 Ascension Competition], can you help me?" "Huh? The registration is about to close, and you''re only saying this now, all the domestic slots have been allocated." Looking at Zhu Haomiao strangely, Nangong Su''e pulled a chair over and sat beside him, explaining leisurely. "The [U18 Ascension Competition] is also called the [Hidden Dragon Ascension Competition] domestically. It''s the opportunity for most prodigies to showcase themselves to the world for the first time." "Such an important competition is typically contested years in advance, gradually identifying the candidates. They''ve been rigorously trained since childhood for this day, why the sudden impulse to participate?" "I..." Zhu Haomiao opened his mouth but couldn''t tell the truth, so he just bit his lip with a bitter smile. "I''m just... a bit anxious." Nangong Su''e rolled her eyes at him without ill intent, clearly sensing the boy''s insincerity, and asked softly. "Are you really in such a hurry?" "Hmm?!" Noticing the softening in Teacher Su''e''s tone, hope welled up in Zhu Haomiao''s heart, and he nodded eagerly. "Really in a hurry!" "How urgent?" Facing Teacher Su''e''s teasing glance, Zhu Haomiao was at a loss for several seconds. Finally, looking into her eyes, he spoke with determination as clear as if he were taking an oath. "Teacher, give me a chance, I really want to be a good person." "..." Seeing his earnest and slightly goofy expression, Nangong Su''e''s lips trembled uncontrollably, unable to suppress it no matter what. "Pff~" Watching Nangong Su''e cover her mouth, her shoulders shaking with laughter, Zhu Haomiao was bewildered. No way, why is your sense of humor so weird? We''re discussing something very serious! This could potentially relate to world peace! "Ahem ahem~" After a good while, Nangong Su''e finally calmed down, affectionately ruffling Zhu Haomiao''s hair, displaying an expression of helplessness. "Hand over your student ID." "Huh? What for?" "Didn''t you ask me to help you apply?" "Huh? Can you really do it?" Ecstatic, Zhu Haomiao quickly handed over the student ID hanging from his neck. Grinning~ Nangong Su''e gently pushed off from the ground with her feet, elegantly sliding her chair over to the table, picking up a tablet to operate it smoothly. "Zhu Haomiao... 16 years old..." "Enrolled at Central Supernatural Academy... Student ID number..." "Recommendation Reason... Wants to be a good person... Very urgent..." Hearing Nangong Su''e muttering such an odd recommendation reason to herself, Zhu Haomiao was silent behind her, his hand outstretched as if in protest, wanting to speak but holding back, ultimately keeping quiet. "Recommender... Nangong Su''e... Done!" She clicked to confirm and submit, then set the tablet down, turning to Zhu Haomiao with an OK gesture. "Thank you, Teacher Su''e, but regarding the recommendation reason... Emmm... Can that really pass the review?" "I wouldn''t know about that." Nangong Su''e shrugged, her hands spread wide, with a wide-eyed expression of innocence. Despite her mature, charming aura, this childish gesture seemed to mesh without a hitch, lending her an unspeakable, endearing childishness, causing Zhu Haomiao''s heart to race, leaving him speechless. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a moment of silence, Zhu Haomiao gathered his emotions and spoke solemnly, looking into Nangong Su''e''s eyes. "Regardless, thank you very much, Teacher Su''e." Nangong Su''e smiled sweetly, sliding her chair over to Zhu Haomiao, gently patting his head. "If you truly want to thank me, be that good person you spoke of." Finishing, Nangong Su''e returned the student ID to Zhu Haomiao, then with a light press of her finger, pushed him back onto the bed. "You''re still on an IV, stay down!" "..." Lying in bed, watching Teacher Su''e glide her chair back to her desk to continue her work, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably felt a thread of belonging to this world. There really are more good people in this world... Chapter 25 - 25: Clumsy and Ambitious Stupidly staring at the side profile of Nangong Su''e, who was focused on her work, the comfort and ease brought by the infusion of the nutrient liquid into his veins spread throughout his body. Both mentally and physically relaxed, Zhu Haomiao unknowingly fell into a slumber. When he opened his eyes again, the only light left outside the window was the remnants of the sunset glow. "......" It seems like all I''ve done today is eat and sleep... I''m too lazy! No, I need to pull myself together! Sitting up from the bed, Zhu Haomiao found that only a band-aid was left on the back of his hand, while not far away, Teacher Su''e was holding a small test tube filled with blood, looking thoughtful. Instinctively, Zhu Haomiao realized that the blood in that tube was his own! "You''re awake." Noticing the movement nearby, Nangong Su''e slightly turned around. The warm light of the sunset cast a dreamy golden veil over her, making her smile seem like an autumn dream¡ªbeautiful yet unreal. His heart skipped a beat, and feeling his inner turmoil, Zhu Haomiao quickly averted his gaze and awkwardly changed the subject. "Uh, teacher, is that my blood?" "Yes, I drew a bit while you were asleep. I need it for what''s next." "Need it?" "Mm." Putting away the test tube, Nangong Su''e gave no further explanation and warmly waved him off. "Go have dinner quickly, the cafeteria is about to close." "No need, I''ll just grab some snacks when I get back." Upon hearing the word "cafeteria," Zhu Haomiao involuntarily shivered. He''s almost developed PTSD towards the cafeteria now; each visit felt less like eating and more like facing a tribulation... Hearing this, Nangong Su''e slightly frowned. "How can that be? I''ve told you to eat properly. You''re eating too little; you''re not getting enough nutrition..." No! I''m eating too much... Listening to Nangong Su''e''s nagging, Zhu Haomiao gave a bitter smile, though his heart felt warm. "I understand. I''ll take care of it." "Mm." Seeing the young man obediently admit his fault, Nangong Su''e nodded in satisfaction. "Make sure to eat well, or I''ll withdraw your competition application." "Huh?? You can even withdraw it?!" "Hehe." ............... For some time afterward, Zhu Haomiao went about his classes, research, and infusions in an orderly fashion. Life was calm yet fulfilling. During this period, his body expanded like a balloon, even gaining a centimeter in height. Now, without clothes, he looked at most slender and delicate, rather than the terrifyingly ugly skeletal appearance from before. Feeling his body and mind gradually becoming healthier and even stronger, Zhu Haomiao was extremely satisfied, and the data in the [Book of Black] allowed him to directly and truly perceive his comprehensive transformation. [God]: 0.6¡ú0.7¡ü [Dexterity]: 0.5¡ú0.6¡ü [Strength]: 0.4¡ú0.5¡ü [Essence]: 0.3¡ú0.4¡ü [Qi]: 0.3¡ú0.4¡ü S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Body]: 0.4¡ú0.5¡ü The six-dimensional attributes all increased by 0.1, and the upward arrows showed that there was still significant room for improvement. The only thing that disappointed Zhu Haomiao was that there were no responses to the applications from either Ye Wan Ning or Teacher Su''e. As the application deadline loomed, he slowly abandoned hope. "Shui, come, eat something." As per usual, upon entering the familiar meditation room 302, he saw Ye Wan Ning waving at him, with a table filled with all sorts of delicious food. "Senior sister, my name isn''t Shui, it''s Miao." With a weary retort, Zhu Haomiao helplessly sat next to her. "You have so much ''water,'' why can''t I call you Shui?" "......" Facing Ye Wan Ning''s unreasonable antics, Zhu Haomiao could only helplessly let her call him whatever she wished. "Here''s your [Mega Taro Ball Red Bean Pudding Coconut Jelly Pearl Milk Tea]." A large, thick milk tea was handed to him. Zhu Haomiao skillfully inserted the straw and took a sip, then, seeing Ye Wan Ning happily sipping the same milk tea, said. "Senior sister, you don''t need to buy two cups. You always drink just a little; I can just finish the rest." "No way!" Ye Wan Ning''s eyes widened, shaking her head adamantly. Though their relationship had grown less distant over time, considering the boy''s pride, Ye Wan Ning wouldn''t let him feel like he was receiving charity. Even if the leftover milk tea ended up in his stomach, it was different in nature! On the other hand, Zhu Haomiao hesitated, remained silent for a few seconds, and shook his head in resignation. "Eat! Eat! I''ve been waiting for you and I''m starving." Ye Wan Ning, eager and rubbing her hands together, picked up her chopsticks and launched an attack on the buffet of delicious food. Yet after a flurry of moves, her actual eating power was embarrassingly weak. She only took a few bites of each dish to taste, then sipped the milk tea twice more, appearing utterly satisfied as she set down her chopsticks. "I''m full, so stuffed~" "......" Chewing slowly, Zhu Haomiao glanced at her, inwardly rolling his eyes. With that little bird stomach of yours, you buy so much every time. Classic case of having eyes bigger than your stomach! On the other side, taking another sip of the [Mega Taro Ball Red Bean Pudding Coconut Jelly Pearl Milk Tea], Ye Wan Ning scrunched her face, smacked her lips, and handed the milk tea to Zhu Haomiao. "The first sip is the best; it gets a bit cloying afterward." You always eat just for the first bite, with your greedy mouth and small stomach. The name Diao Chan should really be yours! Quietly grumbling inwardly, Zhu Haomiao skillfully took her milk tea, finishing the rest in two gulps. Beside him, Ye Wan Ning propped her chin with one hand, quietly watching Zhu Haomiao eat, chatting with him on and off. "Shui, it''s more fun to eat with you. Every time, I get to taste so many different dishes and can order whatever I like!" And then you take a bite of each, leaving the rest for me to handle? Am I a trash can? Are you just dumping everything into my mouth? Zhu Haomiao wanted to reprimand her loudly, but she gave so much that he could only eat quietly, swallowing his grievances. Another reason was that the spread of delicious dishes in front of him was truly enticing. Each dish was a signature of nearby old restaurants, not necessarily expensive but definitely with appealing color, aroma, and taste! In comparison, the school cafeteria fare could only be described as plentiful and filling, cheap and affordable. Paid sleep, good food¡ªbeing picky at this point would truly seem ungrateful... Oblivious to the boy''s inner thoughts, Ye Wan Ning, tilting her head, watched him eat with a hint of an elusive smile at the corner of her lips. That smile reminded Zhu Haomiao of the expression he had when watching Diao Chan showcase her culinary prowess. Wait, is she raising me like a pet? Chapter 26 - 26: This Isnt Scientific! The brows gradually knitted together, and before Zhu Haomiao could figure it out, he heard Ye Wan Ning speak slowly. "Sure enough, you have to fight for your food. Every time I see you eating so deliciously, I can eat several times more than usual!" "Huh???" Zhu Haomiao turned his head in shock, looking at her in disbelief. Your appetite, like feeding a cat, is already several times more? Glancing at Ye Wan Ning''s magnificent bosom on the table, Zhu Haomiao fell into deep thought. How did you grow all this flesh? Why do they act so obediently, piling up precisely on your chest and butt? Even resisting the despicable pull of gravity! His scattered and whimsical thoughts ran wild, and Zhu Haomiao completed his meal while daydreaming, subconsciously tidying up the table and habitually lying down on the examination bed. "Wait, no need to lie down today." "Huh?" Ye Wan Ning pulled him to sit face-to-face on a chair, and Zhu Haomiao received a golden necklace-like object with a puzzled look. "Put it on your head, with the side of the small disc inlaid with gems touching your forehead." Ye Wan Ning also took out a similar item, putting it on her head and demonstrating to him. "What''s this thing?" "A device to enhance spiritual connection." After putting on the gold circlet with inlaid gems, Ye Wan Ning inexplicably had the grace of an ancient Greek goddess. Then, like playing head-butting when she was a child, she stiffened her neck and pressed her forehead against Zhu Haomiao''s. On the other side, watching the stunning face approaching, Zhu Haomiao frowned and leaned back desperately. "What are you trying to do?" "Don''t dodge, two soul stones need to touch for a few seconds to resonate and link!" Yet, Zhu Haomiao still dodged apprehensively, angering Ye Wan Ning so much that she cupped his cheeks to hold him steady. "I''m not even embarrassed, what are you afraid of? Don''t move, the soul stone just needs to touch for a few seconds." What am I afraid of? I''m afraid you''ll play with fire and get burned! Ungrateful wretch, not recognizing a good person! sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Watching in dismay as Ye Wan Ning''s perfect features gradually enlarged within his vision, Zhu Haomiao felt his inner desires stirring like a volcano, struggling in panic. Stay away from me, ahhhhh!! However, Ye Wan Ning was completely unaware of the boy''s internal fear, her seemingly delicate hands possessed enormous and unmatched strength, like iron clamps holding Zhu Haomiao''s cheeks bound, no matter how he struggled it was to no avail. Ding~ The gems on their foreheads touched, an enigmatic sensation seeped into their minds, Ye Wan Ning closed her eyes to establish a spiritual link, while Zhu Haomiao stared at the stunning face close at hand, stunned. Sweet breaths sprayed onto his face, his gaze involuntarily fell on Ye Wan Ning''s jelly-like pink and translucent lips. Her lips, with a glazing transparency, seemed like cherry jelly coated with honey, making one unable to resist wanting to suck and possess them. Never having noticed how alluring Ye Wan Ning''s lips were, Zhu Haomiao''s dazed pupils emitted a pink mist, condensing into a bewitching evil light in his eyes. [Lust] +1 Within the Book of Black, the energy of the Desire Page accumulated to fullness, coalescing into an indescribable distorted rune, quietly branding itself in the depths of Zhu Haomiao''s soul, leaving behind a blank page reset to zero. [Lust]: LV.1¡úLV.2 (99¡ú0/200) Boom! Inescapable desire erupted like a volcanic explosion, the previously dissipating pink mist gushed from deep within his pupils, with the remaining bit of clear spirit light as fragile as a lone leaf in a pink tidal wave, at any moment could capsize. Pa~ A sudden surge of immense strength, Zhu Haomiao pushed Ye Wan Ning away, lowered his head, clenching his fists tightly, breathing heavily like a bellows. "Go quickly!" Realizing that the boy had undergone some unknown change, Ye Wan Ning froze for a second, then her eyes lit up even more excitedly. Not fearing your reaction, only fearing you have no reaction! As for danger? She, a Middle Heavenly Position hegemony-level Transcender, even in reality with only a few percent of her strength, what danger could there be against a delicate mortal boy? It''s rather Zhu Haomiao who needed to worry, during the process of developing his potential, being unable to control his strength and harming himself. "Shui, gather your thoughts and calm your nature, hold the original and maintain the oneness!" "This should be a bloodline awakening, you need to learn to control your power!" Following the guidance taught by her mentor, Ye Wan Ning''s powerful spiritual power emerged through her body, gently seeping into the boy''s brow along the resonating soul stone, attempting to soothe his chaotic loss of control. Yet not moving would''ve been better, upon connecting with Ye Wan Ning''s spiritual link, it was like a hungry beast tasting blood, Zhu Haomiao''s inner desires became even harder to suppress, not only wanting to physically possess her but also wanting to reshape her into his shadow spiritually! "Hurry...escape..." Using the last bit of rationality to warn, Zhu Haomiao curled up his body, trembling violently, with tightly clenched fists turning deathly white. "How could I possibly leave you like this?" "Don''t worry, follow my spiritual guidance to properly channel and control your power." "Your senior sister here is quite capable, I''ve seen plenty of these bloodline out-of-control states, it''s not a big deal." Still unaware of the seriousness of the situation, Ye Wan Ning gently patted Zhu Haomiao''s head, trying to comfort his pain. The next second, the violently trembling body calmed, Zhu Haomiao raised his hand to grasp Ye Wan Ning''s wrist, slowly lifting his head. "Really?" Like a lover whispering tenderly at his ear, the magnetic and sinister voice licked his earlobe as if it were tangible, tingling and numb electric currents drilled into the eardrum, causing Ye Wan Ning''s entire body''s hair to stand on end, goosebumps raised high. And in her vision, the boy''s smile was alluringly sinister and soul-stirring, particularly those deep, unfathomable dark eyes, seemingly a bottomless abyss capable of sucking one''s soul in, sinking into endless bliss. Soon after, a tingling numb electric current rushed from the coccyx all the way up the top of the skull, making Ye Wan Ning''s scalp tingle. Eyes dulling, Ye Wan Ning''s brain went blank, body limp and numb, she allowed Zhu Haomiao to pull her into his embrace, and he pressed her head down. The sucking pleasure from her lips snapped the dazed Ye Wan Ning back to reality, she widened her eyes in disbelief, instinctively struggling with force. But one wrist was gripped by Zhu Haomiao, and just as the other hand aimed to slap him, it was captured, despite using all her strength she couldn''t break free from the restraint, her horror surging like waves. The mage system indeed has a weak physique, but that''s compared to martial artists of the same level! In the real world compared to mortals, she is a veritable humanoid monster, tearing tigers and leopards as easy as turning her hand! Yet with such power, she was bound by a still-not-yet-ranked mortal boy! This isn''t scientific! Chapter 27 - 27: Look Directly at Me, Ant A thick sense of shame and anger flashed in her eyes. Perceiving that Zhu Haomiao''s tongue had intruded, Ye Wan Ning could no longer care about hurting him. An awe-inspiring and terrifying divine light burst from her pupils. Boom! The materialized spiritual energy condensed into visible ripples, like an iron hammer striking Zhu Haomiao, blasting him away on the spot. Thud~ His back collided heavily with the wall of the meditation room. Zhu Haomiao fell to the ground, his internal organs shaken and displaced, with blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, yet the enchanting smile remained on his face. Licking the blood at the corner of his mouth, savoring the faint metallic sweetness, Zhu Haomiao fixed his gaze unwaveringly on Ye Wan Ning, his smile growing more sinister. Looking into the young man''s eyes, in Ye Wan Ning''s Divine Vision, she observed a tumultuous pink mist burning in his eyes, with translucent pink flames escaping from the corners, flickering like tiny tongues of fire. The unabashed madness in the young man''s eyes made her blush in embarrassment! "Shui, calm down!" Ye Wan Ning repressed her anger, trying to awaken Zhu Haomiao''s consciousness. However, Zhu Haomiao merely stood upright slowly and then vanished from view the next second. "When you come to your senses, I''ll definitely give you a good beating!!" Ye Wan Ning gritted her teeth, turning her head fiercely. A shadow was instantly pinned, curved five claws pounding on the invisible wall, with visible translucent ripples spreading 360 degrees from the point of contact, dissolving his violent strength into nothingness. Noticing that the young man''s spirit and body had undergone inexplicable enhancement, Ye Wan Ning let go of her last worry, the fury in her chest surging out with materialized spiritual energy. "Decree¡¤Heavenly Power!" Boom! Like an invisible mountain descending from the sky, Zhu Haomiao was instantly pressed to kneel on the ground. Looking at the young man kneeling at her feet, Ye Wan Ning urged on the continual fury of her spiritual power, her eyes glowing with golden divine light. With a casual gesture, a broom from the corner flew into her hand, and she began thrashing Zhu Haomiao relentlessly over the head. "Bastard! Bastard! My first kiss!" "And you even used your tongue!" "Who taught you that?!" "Damn it!!!" ... Ye Wan Ning vented bitterly but could see that Zhu Haomiao''s current state was not intentional; she bore some responsibility for letting things get so out of hand. Thinking about how there would be no one to hold accountable afterward, and how her precious first kiss was gone inexplicably, Ye Wan Ning was filled with bitter grief, swinging her hand in shadows. "I''ve been so good to you, and you repay kindness with enmity!" "If I ever buy you milk tea again, I''m a dog!" The broom struck Zhu Haomiao''s back with loud smacks. Though the damage was minimal, the humiliation was immense. The kneeling young man let out a low growl, with faint blood threads spreading in his eyes, a trace of violent blood-red spreading from the depths of his pupils. Roar! Sensing the young man was slowly standing up under the Extraordinary Power, Ye Wan Ning''s divine light intensified. "Still stubborn? Wake up quickly! I need to settle accounts with you properly!" Boom! An irresistible towering spiritual power weighed down, forcing Zhu Haomiao entirely onto the ground, unable to move a finger. Standing before the young man, Ye Wan Ning''s chest heaved violently. She stopped her actions, glaring at him fiercely, determined to truly settle accounts once he''d regained consciousness. However, like a beast losing its mind, he struggled for a moment before lying quietly on the ground. Yet, from an unseen angle, an awe-inspiring and terrifying Purple Gold Divine Light quietly emerged from the depths of his pupils, with Purple Gold threads, like living things, quietly permeating and spreading, gradually dyeing his pupils into a sacred yet eerie pattern. Meanwhile, Ye Wan Ning keenly sensed an unprecedented chill seeping into her bones. Danger! Run! An indescribable terror enveloped her spirit, and Ye Wan Ning instinctively wanted to flee, but a sharp pain pierced from the soul stone on her forehead. Like a hot knife through butter, the grand and twisted Divinity pierced through the Spirit Barrier, penetrating deeply into the soul realm, instantly shattering Ye Wan Ning''s proud Divine Soul Energy. Boom~ It was like a heavy hammer struck the back of her head. Ye Wan Ning''s pupils dilated, her mind went blank. The spiritual power pressing on Zhu Haomiao vanished instantly. Ye Wan Ning''s legs gave out, sitting duck-like on the ground, her arms instinctively supporting her, head hanging low. At the same time, tiny dust particles around Zhu Haomiao began vibrating at a high frequency, defying gravity and floating upwards, while his body slowly floated as well. A few seconds later, Zhu Haomiao completely freed himself from the constraints of gravity, his feet gently lifting off, like a feather, elegantly and softly suspended in mid-air, his elevated pupils holding nothing but an impersonal, imposing Purple Gold. The cold, piercing gaze fell upon Ye Wan Ning like a tangible force, causing her hair to stand on end, and her scattered spirit regained a trace of clarity. What exactly is happening?! Instinctively, she wanted to look up, but as soon as her muscles responded, they froze. The supernatural Divinity alarmed her frantically, shrouding her in instinctive terror. Do not look up! Do not look up! You will die!! You will die!!!!!! You will die!!!!!!!!!!!! In a haze, she felt as if there was an infinitely expanding black sun suspended before her, the grand radiance it emitted about to crush her. And once she gazed upon it directly, the black sun''s violent energy would pour into her soul, melting and obliterating her completely... Her body trembled uncontrollably under the invisible black radiance, and Ye Wan Ning clenched her teeth firmly, a faint golden divine light flickering unsteadily like a candle in the wind within her pupils. "What an utterly weak Divinity." A cold, merciless whisper seemed to come from the nine-layered heaven. Ye Wan Ning saw a pair of familiar shoes before her, in her lowered gaze, a despair-inducing white hand lowered. Cold fingers gently hooked her chin, gradually lifting her face. "Look at me, ant." In the cruel and mocking whisper, Ye Wan Ning clearly felt the arrival of death. Her soul and body resisted with all their might, but under the black sun''s light, they could only tremble in fear. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Watching her own chin being lifted bit by bit, a montage of her life flashed through her mind, and she suddenly recalled a friend''s warning. "Oil, curiosity killed the cat." Unexpectedly, the future nine-layered heaven''s Human God would die so enigmatically... Unable to accept such an absurd and meaningless death, Ye Wan Ning''s beautiful eyes overflowed with unyielding tears. Two streams of clear tears slid down her cheeks, gathering on the finger hooked under her chin. Zhu Haomiao''s mocking smile slowly faded, a faint struggling spirit light flickering in the depths of his cruel, impassive Purple Gold eyes. Chapter 28 - 28: Stockholm Syndrome The movement of his hands came to a complete halt. Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes, the Purple Gold Divine Light in his pupils trembling in resonance with the faint spirit light, as the cold divinity and warm humanity flickered back and forth in his gaze, shifting uncertainly. "Senseless pity, anything that shakes my heart must be erased." Zhu Haomiao gave a cold laugh and continued to tilt Ye Wan Ning''s chin up, but just as their eyes were about to meet, the faint spirit light suddenly burst forth, freezing his hand''s movement completely. Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes once more, the divine light swirling in his dark pupils, pressing the light of humanity back into the depths of his pupil little by little. But during this standoff, the young man raised his other hand, touching the liquid flowing from the corner of his eye, and looked at the crimson blood on his fingertip, wincing in disgust. "What a fragile shell." With that, the awe-inspiring and terrifying Purple Gold divinity instantly collapsed and condensed, transforming into a stream of light that plunged deep into his pupil. Ye Wan Ning trembled all over, feeling the overwhelming pressure of heaven and earth instantly dissipate, the fingers that had hooked her chin slowly dropping down, and a weak, helpless chuckle came from above. "Senior sister, don''t cause trouble anymore." In disbelief, she raised her head to see the young man with blood and tears streaming down his cheeks, Ye Wan Ning gritted her teeth, her lips trembling slightly, tears swirling in her eyes but stubbornly not falling. "What do you mean I caused trouble? Clearly, it was you who caused trouble!" She wiped her eyes abruptly with her sleeve, feeling utterly wronged, instinctively wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, as memories of the pleasure of being kissed and licked earlier resurfaced in her mind, making her angrier the more she thought about it. My first kiss!!! "..." Zhu Haomiao was speechless, wanting to say something but not knowing what to say. Putting aside the facts, even if I was 99% at fault, does that mean you, Ye Wan Ning, bear no responsibility? Who told your lips to be so enticing? And unfortunately, they happened to complete the last bit of [Lust], causing a qualitative change. "It''s all because you''re too alluring, Senior Sister¡­" Instinctively blurting out his vexing thoughts, Zhu Haomiao twisted his mouth in bitterness. "Please don''t get too close anymore, alright?" "I..." Instinctively wanting to settle scores with Zhu Haomiao, but the lingering reverence deep within her soul left Ye Wan Ning without a trace of courage, her shoulders slumping in dejection, pouty and aggrieved. "I won''t dare to in the future." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao flashed a weary smile and affectionately patted Ye Wan Ning''s head. "Good girl." The gentle touch on her head made Ye Wan Ning''s heart skip a beat, and that pampering ''good girl'' made her whole body go limp and numb, a previously unknown stirring surging from the depths of her soul. A hint of color rose on her pale face, her heart pounding chaotically, as Ye Wan Ning''s thoughts drifted into disarray. Is this Stockholm Syndrome? How could I derive pleasure from being abused? Am I actually finding this brat a bit handsome? I clearly only saw him as a junior brother¡­ Lightly biting her lip, Ye Wan Ning''s heart was in turmoil, while Zhu Haomiao on the side completely missed the complex emotions on her face. "Senior sister, there''s a health office a few hundred meters east after exiting the teaching building; please help take me there." "Huh?" There''s no health office around here at all? Her mind still not catching up, as Ye Wan Ning lifted her head, the young man collapsed straight into her arms. Hurriedly catching him, sensing Zhu Haomiao''s rapidly declining breath, Ye Wan Ning was taken aback, holding him as she leapt out the window. The three-story height seemed negligible, as Ye Wan Ning softly landed and absorbed the impact, following Zhu Haomiao''s instructions before he lost consciousness as she sprinted urgently. Though clueless about why the young man was fixated on a nonexistent health office, in the urgency, Ye Wan Ning had no choice but to trust him. In mere dozens of seconds, she arrived at the destination, shocked to find an actual health office in sight! Her pupils slightly contracted, with no time to delve deeper, Ye Wan Ning rushed straight into the health office. Before she could speak, the dignified, languid school nurse, seemingly anticipating this, pointed effortlessly without lifting her head. "Lay him on the bed." An inexplicable sense of security welled up, YYe Wan Ning''s tensed muscles gradually relaxed, and her anxious, fearful feelings began to dissipate. Gently placing Zhu Haomiao on the examination bed, Ye Wan Ning hesitated, unsure as she looked at the ethereal beauty before her. "Teacher¡­" "You lie on the bed too." Giving her no chance to speak, Nangong Su''e pointed to the bed beside Zhu Haomiao''s, calmly ordering her. Instinctively following her command to lie down, Ye Wan Ning watched Nangong Su''e stand by Zhu Haomiao''s bed, using an alcohol-soaked cotton ball to wipe the blood from his face, her expression complex as she gazed down at the young man. It was like an elder looking at a troublemaking junior, her eyes shifting from anger to exhaustion, to helplessness, finally condensing into a long sigh. "Sigh¡­ a little rascal who won''t let one rest assured!" Pinching Zhu Haomiao''s cheek in irritation, Nangong Su''e drew out a slender incense stick, flicking it lightly, the incense spontaneously igniting, emitting wafts of mysterious purple smoke. Sticking the incense on the bedside table between the two examination beds, Nangong Su''e turned to mix some medicines, Ye Wan Ning wanting to speak but interrupted by a refreshing scent. A faint coolness traveled straight up through her nostrils, sinking into the Purple Palace bit by bit, the once alert and anxious thoughts turning muddled and scattered in an instant. A heavy drowsiness washed over like tide, the wounded divine soul greedily absorbing the refreshing coolness from the purple smoke, realizing her injuries were rapidly healing, Ye Wan Ning''s last shred of consciousness slipped into protective slumber, her powerful soul accelerating its recovery. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao also breathed in the faint purple smoke, his tightly knit brows gradually relaxing, and as Nangong Su''e inserted the needle into his vein, spirit light "nutrient liquid" coursing through his blood brought solace to the suffering youth, lulling him into deep sleep. Nangong Su''e glanced at the multi-colored medicine bottles hanging in mid-air, unable to resist pinching the unconscious boy''s cheek again, grumbling irritably. "The medicinal properties meant to last for years burned up in just a few breaths; with your prodigal skill, even Central Super can''t afford it!" And by the time Zhu Haomiao regained consciousness, the sky outside had already blackened completely, with the fluorescent lights illuminating the health office, leaving only Su E teacher, with her legs crossed, lightly tapping her palm with a thin, long teaching rod, looking at him expressionlessly. Hastily getting off the examination bed, Zhu Haomiao noticed another band-aid on the back of his hand, understanding he must have received nutrient liquid while unconscious, yet his body and mind lacked the fullness experienced in previous infusions. Instead, he felt as if he had been depleted by a thousand women taking turns, his body empty, every cell, every wisp of divine soul uttering a single word¡ªempty. Chapter 29 - 29: Dragon Emblem "Speak, how did you end up in this state again?" Nangong Su''e pushed up her black-rimmed glasses on her prominent nose, her usually gentle eyes carrying a hint of pressure at this moment. "Uh... teacher, where is the senior sister who brought me here?" "Her divine soul suffered minor injuries and she regained consciousness and went back the very same day." "The very same day?" "What do you think it is now? You''ve been unconscious for three days!" "....." Zhu Haomiao bit his lip with an unpleasant expression, starting to carefully sense his own condition. Luckily, neither his soul nor his body had suffered any substantial damage, aside from weakness and fatigue. The only problem was that the upward arrows behind the six-dimensional attributes in the [Book of Black] had all disappeared, meaning his growth had once again come to a halt. "Don''t think you can change the topic. How did you end up like this? If you say you were gaming, I''ll whip you to death!" Nangong Su''e suddenly lashed her teaching stick against her palm, producing a crisp sound as she lightly raised her chin. Her slightly narrowed, beautiful eyes emitted threads of dangerous light. "Uh... I..." Teacher, don''t be like this, I''m inexplicably a bit excited... Noticing his bold thoughts stirring restlessly, Zhu Haomiao quickly shook his head, hesitated for a moment, and then recounted the incident in a downplayed manner, omitting the part where he forcefully kissed Ye Wan Ning. "So you''re saying it''s just a bloodline awakening, huh? I thought it was something major." After listening to Zhu Haomiao''s story, Nangong Su''e was greatly disappointed. She tossed the teaching stick aside, and the faint oppressive atmosphere in the school infirmary instantly dispersed. "Bloodline awakening? Is my situation that common?" Zhu Haomiao pondered, feeling that if his anomaly was widespread, he wouldn''t need to worry so much about revealing the [Book of Black]. Hearing the boy''s ignorant question, Nangong Su''e patiently explained. "From ancient times beyond traceability, the Illusion Realm frequently overlapped and coupled with reality, forming traditional supernatural disasters." "When the illusion separated from reality, a few [Superreal Creatures] lingered on Earth, which we commonly refer to as [Invasive Species]." "Some High Sky Rank invasive species can disregard reproductive isolation and mate with Earth''s native species. After thousands and tens of thousands of years, there are no so-called pure species on this planet. More or less, we all carry a bit of invasive species bloodline." "And within these bloodlines lie supernatural powers. Since the start of the new century, it''s become increasingly common for talented people or animals to awaken their bloodlines and reclaim their ancestors'' powers. Though, cases as dramatic as yours are still relatively rare..." "You probably awakened the direct bloodline of some High Sky Rank [Mythical Species]." Hearing Nangong Su''e''s determined words, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up. Ah, yes, yes, yes! That''s exactly it, absolutely nothing to do with the [Book of Black]! Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s silly delight, the fury in Nangong Su''e''s heart gradually dissipated, and she sighed helplessly. "This child of mine, can you really survive if let out?" "Huh?" Hearing Nangong Su''e''s inexplicable sigh, Zhu Haomiao immediately felt indignant. I''m not claiming to be a genius, but being called stupid seems far-fetched, right? Look at my insightful eyes! Facing the boy''s husky-like, insightful gaze, Nangong Su''e painfully covered her mouth, barely suppressing her twitching apple muscles with all her might. "We''re discussing important matters, don''t make me laugh." When did I make you laugh? Your humor must be faulty! Am I a clown? Just seeing me makes you want to laugh? Zhu Haomiao frowned, about to speak, when a delicate wooden box flew toward him. Instinctively catching the box, the boy showed a questioning look. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Teacher, this..." "A farewell gift." Nangong Su''e returned to her relaxed demeanor, half-lying on an ergonomic chair with a tablet in hand. "Teacher, you''re leaving?" Indeed! For such a long time, there''s only been one patient! This damn school infirmary couldn''t possibly keep Teacher Su''e for long... Though he had a vague premonition in his heart, when the moment truly arrived, Zhu Haomiao still felt overwhelming reluctance. "Yes, I have little time to return to the real world each year, and I can''t only consult at [Central Super]. I was supposed to leave yesterday, but because of you, this worrisome guy, I stayed an extra day." "I don''t know when I''ll be back next, so I prepared a gift for you in advance. Open it, you''ll definitely like it." Facing Nangong Su''e''s smiling eyes, Zhu Haomiao opened the wooden box with a heavy heart, revealing a medal the size of a coin. The medal was black-gray in color, metallic, with a majestic dragon vividly engraved on the background edge, and a mysterious symbol in the center, resembling ancient seal script. "Teacher, what''s this?" Patting her forehead with self-reproach, Nangong Su''e helplessly explained. "[Extraordinary Heraldry] is a second-year course, I forgot you haven''t learned it yet..." "This is the Chinese Dragon Emblem, generally awarded only to elite extraordinaries recognized by the state. It''s your sole credential for traveling the All Heavens Illusion Realm." "With it, you can go to the [Yanhuang Armory] in the All Heavens Illusion Realm, take tasks to accumulate contributions, exchange for resources, intelligence, etc." "In emergencies, you can even use it to call for help from all those around you who also hold a [Dragon Emblem]." As Nangong Su''e leisurely spoke, Zhu Haomiao''s expression gradually turned serious. "Teacher, isn''t it said that only [True Objects] can be brought into the Illusion Realm? Does that mean..." Upon hearing this, Nangong Su''e nodded with a smile. "That''s right, the identity badges of all major forces are [True Objects], sourced from some dangerous Illusion Realm in the nine-layered heaven. They''re then forged with your soul bloodline, almost impossible to counterfeit, and are the best identity emblems." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao finally grasped the preciousness of the object in his hand. A [True Object] stone that''s useless online can fetch a sky-high price; this beautiful Dragon Emblem in his hand must be worth at least several million, right? Even more precious is the significance and rights it represents! "By the way, your eligibility for the [U18 Ascension Competition] is also tied to this Dragon Emblem. Remember to bring the badge then." "Huh?" Suddenly lifting his head, Zhu Haomiao stared wide-eyed in disbelief. "The application was approved? I have eligibility to compete?" "It''s been approved for a while. Didn''t I tell you?" Seeing Nangong Su''e''s playful and charming expression, Zhu Haomiao instantly understood and pouted, furrowing his brows in annoyance. "Teacher, I was about to give up." "Oh, it was just to surprise you. Be good, don''t be angry." Getting up to ruffle Zhu Haomiao''s head, Nangong Su''e smiled as if coaxing a child. Chapter 30 - 30: Didnt My [Dao Heart] Improve in Vain? After a moment of resentment, Zhu Haomiao felt a surge of overwhelming gratitude in his heart, remembering the day when Teacher Su E held a tube of his blood, saying it would be used later. So the bloodline soul binding was used on the Dragon Emblem... Clutching the badge tightly in his hand, Zhu Haomiao looked sincerely into Nangong Su''e''s eyes. "Teacher, thank you." "You''re welcome, just as you said, be a good person, okay?" Ruffling the boy''s hair once more, Nangong Su''e''s eyes were filled with smiles, her gaze seemingly containing endless expectation and encouragement. "Alright, you don''t need to come over from tomorrow onwards, I also have to pack up and get ready to leave..." Pats Zhu Haomiao''s head, Nangong Su''e urged him to leave the school medical office. Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment and reluctantly raised his head: "Teacher, I''m about to step into the First Layer Heaven, and when I become strong, I''ll come to find you in your Illusion Realm!" Upon hearing this, Nangong Su''e was slightly stunned and then slowly unleashed a breathtakingly beautiful smile. "Alright, I''ll wait for you." After the farewell, Nangong Su''e watched Zhu Haomiao leave, reluctantly. Shortly after he left, a lean one-armed old man stepped out from the inner room of the school medical office, also looking in the direction he left, hesitantly asking. "Principal, that child..." Nangong Su''e withdrew her haunting gaze, and murmured softly: "Your judgment was not wrong, indeed it is the position of the Abyss. When he lost control, even I felt fear." Remembering a few days ago, the dark sun that projected wildly expanded in her Divine Domain, Nangong Su''e''s cool gaze turned more profound and dark. If not for the isolation of her Divine Domain, half of the Imperial City would have been affected! After a moment, she seemed to think of something, suddenly smiled, and the tense atmosphere pervading the world dissipated abruptly. "Though, he is quite an interesting little fellow. Not inherently bad, worth cultivating." Just a bit overly bold with lust... Nangong Su''e lightly pursed her lips, thinking of the many peculiar actions of the boy during this time, and shook her head with a chuckle. On the other side, Zhu Huacang let out a sigh of relief, and then his expression turned strange. "Do you really intend to let him participate in the U18 Ascension Competition?" Though he is still quite young and seems less remarkable than most competitors on the surface, no matter what, he is essentially an Abyss. A monster that can instill fear even in the Human Gods of the nine-layered heaven! Letting an existence of such a level compete with those not yet eighteen-year-old youths, isn''t that somewhat unfair to them? Reasonable setbacks are called trials, but throwing a final boss into the Newbie Village feels a bit abstract... Understanding Zhu Huacang''s concerns, Nangong Su''e calmly shook her head. "There is no absolute fairness in this world. Which Human God didn''t step over a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood to climb to the high heavens?" "Being able to compete with an Abyss is their honor, as well as their opportunity!" "Besides, it''s not like in history, there haven''t been creatures even more monstrous than an Abyss..." "A truly strong person will only become stronger amidst setbacks, even when facing an Abyss." "Moreover, you might not know, recently many monsters have descended worldwide, he might not be the strongest one." After speaking, Nangong Su''e picked up the tablet, switched to a page, and nodded with a thoughtful smile. "Dragon''s Son... quite an apt name." Her finger lightly tapped on the final approval button, an entire set of data was officially confirmed and synchronized at light speed to the Security Council''s database. At the same time, a sharp prompt sounded on the personal devices of all the big figures around the world. "Dragon''s Son! A new Abyss has been born!" "Where is He?" "In the realm of the Dragon." "Blazing Angel, Thunder God, Wisdom Goddess, Heavenly Immortal, Buddha, Emperor Shitian... now comes a Dragon''s Son! What''s going on with the world lately? Why have so many monsters descended?" "A new mythological era is about to begin!" ......... "Chirp chirp chirp chirp!!!" As soon as he entered the door, he was greeted by a pitiful wailing in his ear. Though he couldn''t understand Diao Chan''s screeches, Zhu Haomiao felt it was probably cursing him quite badly. "Sorry, sorry for coming back late." Opening the fridge, seeing the food untouched and filled to the brim, Zhu Haomiao''s guilt surged like a tidal wave. "You silly thing, if I didn''t come back, would you have really starved guarding the fridge?" With a mix of anger and pity, he ruffled Diao Chan''s head, quickly filling its bowl with food¡ªchicken breast, cheese, salmon, and freeze-dried pet snacks were lavishly given for it to eat. After refilling its empty water bowl with mineral water and watching it gobble down with vigor, only then did the boy sit down to scrutinize his own changes. "Release of Original Sin, Lust +30, Dao Heart -10" "Resisting the uncontrolled Original Sin Lust, Dao Heart +20" ....... "Release of Original Sin, Anger +20, Dao Heart -10" "Release of Original Sin, Pride +30, Dao Heart -10" "Resisting the uncontrolled Original Sin Pride, Dao Heart +100" S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Looking at the records in the Book of Black, Zhu Haomiao momentarily didn''t know whether to laugh or cry. The good news, Dao Heart leveled up! The bad news, Anger, Lust, Pride all leveled up too! Dao Heart: LV.0¡úLV.1 (87/100) Anger: LV.1¡úLV.2 (89/100¡ú9/200) Lust: LV.2 (30/200) Pride: LV.1¡úLV.2 (91/100¡ú21/200) When it hadn''t leveled up, Dao Heart was one level below you all; after it leveled up, it''s still one level below, so wasn''t leveling up Dao Heart for nothing? Zhu Haomiao ground his teeth, after a long time, he finally lay on the bed, resigned. Forget it, it''s a relief nothing major happened this time. Fortunately, the subject was the senior sister, absurdly strong, with enough power to resist. But unfortunately, precisely because she was absurdly strong, it triggered Pride, draining him to the last drop. Raising his hand, watching his palm slowly clench into a fist, feeling the weakness and soreness from his bones, Zhu Haomiao let out a weary sigh. Immediately, even more troubling thoughts surfaced in his mind, Zhu Haomiao instinctively licked his lips, reminiscing about the sweet, soft, tender sensation, covered himself entirely with the blanket in agony and annoyance. No more thinking, the boat will straighten out when it reaches the bridge. Worst case, let her beat him up to vent! The next morning, Zhu Haomiao specifically took a hot shower to wash away bad luck, but when he stepped out of the bathroom and saw the reflection in the dressing mirror, he froze. No, who are you? Taking a closer look, Zhu Haomiao instinctively touched his cheek. His eyes were still the same eyes, his nose still the same nose, the overall features hadn''t changed, but subtle adjustments had made him inexplicably more pleasing to the eye. Chapter 31 - 31: Supernatural Power Zhu Haomiao carefully scrutinized himself in the mirror. If he could previously only be considered a slender and delicate young man. Now, he could be regarded as a slender and delicate handsome young man... A single word of difference, yet it represents a qualitative change. With a slight thought, Zhu Haomiao faintly had a glimmer of understanding. The supernatural power of [Gluttony] is a four-dimensional stomach, is [Lust] about beautifying the body? Then what are [Anger] and [Pride]? Clenching his fists, Zhu Haomiao began to recall some annoying things, trying to make himself angry. As the emotions gradually stirred, the anger of the spirit began to infiltrate reality, and he vaguely felt a faint force accumulating, compressing, and restlessly churning within him... Soon after, a strong sense of weakness and lethargy surged to his brain, even making his kidneys feel slightly sore. Zhu Haomiao quickly stopped the activation to calm his breathing. But in this brief motion, he roughly understood what the supernatural power of [Anger] was. A power that transcends the rules of reality! A mighty force impossible for a normal human physical structure and flesh and blood to possess! But [Pride]... Taking a careful look at himself, Zhu Haomiao vaguely sensed some deep change in himself, yet had no clue what it specifically was. [Pride] seemed different from other original sins, not having a very manifested appearance. After pondering for a moment, Zhu Haomiao collected his thoughts, prepared a day''s water and food for Diao Chan, and dressed neatly to go to class. Walking on campus, Zhu Haomiao suddenly noticed many foreign faces around him. Occasionally, he could hear some strange languages, some fully incomprehensible foreign languages, and some were dialects from various regions in the country. Has [Central Super] opened for visitors? Why are there so many tourists? His thoughts flickered, but Zhu Haomiao didn''t dwell on it. He directly went to the teaching building. Entering the classroom, he skillfully sat in the corner. The whole class continued to ignore his existence, and Zhu Haomiao was happy with the quiet. If anyone actually came over to chat, he feared he might unintentionally show a contemptuous gaze. Ding ding ding~ As the bell for class rang, a few shadows quietly opened the back door, skillfully "creeping in the dark," swiftly tucked themselves under the desk, slowly raising their heads. "Yay! The teacher isn''t here yet, safe on base!" A few little girls high-fived in celebration. Liu Xiuxiu, who was close to Zhu Haomiao, noticed someone beside her, nodded at him. "Morning." "Morning." Zhu Haomiao calmly responded. After being "deskmates" for some time, he could barely nod acquaintance with these girls. However, after the usual greetings, Liu Xiuxiu was atypically silent, instead staring intently at Zhu Haomiao, scrutinizing him suspiciously. "Student Zhu, did you skip class for three days to get plastic surgery?" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao gave her a speechless glance. The contempt revealed in his eyes made Liu Xiuxiu chuckle awkwardly. Realizing she had asked a stupid question, Liu Xiuxiu was still unwilling, sizing him up. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "So, which beauty salon did you go to?" "None." "Then how did you suddenly become so¡­pretty?" "..." Do you know that the word pretty is used to describe women? Glaring disdainfully at Liu Xiuxiu, Zhu Haomiao replied perfunctorily. "I took a bath." "Just taking a bath made you like this? Did you not bathe before?" Liu Xiuxiu gasped, exclaiming how terrifying it was. Zhu Haomiao frowned in some distress, momentarily lost for words. Did this idiot really believe me? Can''t she tell I''m just humoring her? "No wonder you smell so good today, and your skin looks so fresh¡­" Liu Xiuxiu leaned closer, flaring her nostrils, enjoying the scent emanating from Zhu Haomiao. "Did you apply perfume or is it the scent of shower gel, so fragrant!" Noticing a barely detectable infatuation and admiration in the girl''s eyes, Zhu Haomiao''s heart moved. It seems the supernatural power of [Lust] is not just about making someone handsome; there''s the scent as well... Indeed, in the process of finding a mate, sometimes scent is more important than appearance. Subconsciously raising his arm to sniff, Zhu Haomiao blinked in confusion. But why can''t I smell it myself? "Didn''t apply anything, the soap I used for the bath, the kind from the store that costs three yuan each." "And what about your other skincare products?" "Skincare products? What skincare products?" "..." Toner, eye cream, face cream, essence, whitening serum, anti-aging serum... All those expensive bottles on my table are no match for your three-yuan soap? Why is your skin so good? This isn''t fair! Seeing Liu Xiuxiu biting her lip, looking at him with an expression of confusion, envy, and jealousy, Zhu Haomiao gave her a look reserved for idiots. Facing the boy''s clear and profound gaze, Liu Xiuxiu suddenly trembled, quickly lowering her head to avoid eye contact. For some reason, she felt Zhu Haomiao had changed. Previously, his gaze inexplicably carried a high and mighty arrogance that was irritating. But now, his eyes held an overwhelming pressure that, just by being stared at, made one instinctively feel awe, panic, and unease. It was somewhat like a subordinate facing a superior, a small creature gazing up at a giant, feeling an intangible pressure from the depths of the soul. Previously baseless and unfounded arrogance now seemed to have transformed, making people no longer resent him, but instead look up to him with respect! Shrinking her neck, Liu Xiuxiu awkwardly turned back, whispering in astonishment with her friends. "He has changed so much!" "Actually, if you look carefully, the change isn''t that big. He just matured, you can tell he''s a beauty in the making at a glance." "Men change at eighteen, darn it, how did I not notice this unpolished gem before? Otherwise, I could have used my warm embrace to melt his sensitive and fragile heart." "Yeah, right, you used to say he was an annoying neurotic kid!" ... Feeling the furtive glances occasionally cast his way, Zhu Haomiao helplessly pursed his lips. Thankfully, as the teacher walked into the classroom, Liu Xiuxiu and her gang had to retreat. On the other side of the classroom, Ye Wan Ning stepped onto the platform, instinctively searching for the figure in the corner. By chance, Zhu Haomiao''s gaze also turned to her, their eyes briefly met in the air before quickly looking away, both feeling inexplicably awkward and guilty. "Ahem, students, let''s begin class, quiet down." Gently shaking her head, Ye Wan Ning gathered her thoughts, her expression becoming solemn and dignified, focusing all her attention on teaching. ... However, throughout the class, she deliberately avoided looking at a particular corner, fearing to meet someone''s eyes again. Yet, when the bell rang, what had to be faced still had to be faced. Whew~ Taking a deep breath, Ye Wan Ning mustered her courage and walked straight toward the back row. Chapter 32 - 32: Decisive admission of mistakes, unrepentant until death "Uh... Student Zhu, are you feeling better?" "I''m fine, just a little weak." "Then... come with me for a moment." As soon as the two of them left, the classroom erupted in a flurry of noise. "Hold on, what''s the relationship between Mr. Ye and that unlucky kid? They seem pretty familiar." "It feels like there''s some awkward tension between them, like they just had a fight." "Their relationship is good enough to have a fight?" "Could they be a couple?" "No way! Absolutely no way! How could a toad match a phoenix? If they''re a couple, I''ll eat crap upside down!" ......... Meanwhile, outside in the hallway, Zhu Haomiao and Ye Wan Ning stood in silent confrontation, both unsure of what to say. Finally, it was Ye Wan Ning who broke the silence. "Do you have classes this afternoon?" "No..." "Then let''s go, follow me to the meditation room!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao looked up sharply, staring at her in disbelief. "You want to continue the research??!" Are you not afraid of death?! Who was it that said they''d never dare to do it again? You''re really committing to admitting fault and never changing, huh? At this moment, Ye Wan Ning was ready to go all in, indignantly exclaiming. "Otherwise, my ini... otherwise my thirty thousand yuan would be for nothing?!" The awkwardness and embarrassment in her heart gradually dissipated, and Ye Wan Ning, hands on hips, glared fiercely at the boy. She had no choice; the sunk cost was too great, so large that she wasn''t willing to give up! If she didn''t come up with some results, she''d be so angry thinking about this every night that she''d leap out of bed! On the other hand, Zhu Haomiao was silent for a moment and then sincerely spoke. "Senior Sister, there''s still more than ten thousand left of your money, I can give it back to you." I''m begging you, please don''t do anything reckless, okay? You might not be afraid, but I am! Ye Wan Ning was momentarily stunned by the boy''s sincere words, and after a few seconds, she bit her teeth in anger and embarrassment. "Is this a money issue?!" Instantly understanding what Ye Wan Ning truly cared about, Zhu Haomiao frowned tightly, his face full of distress. The money could be returned, but this couldn''t be undone, was he supposed to kiss it back? "Come on, follow me to the meditation room!" Elsewhere, seeing the boy''s hesitation, Ye Wan Ning grabbed him decisively and dragged him along. "Don''t worry, I was just careless last time, I didn''t dodge!" "This time, I''ve hired bodyguards and a magic artifact, so there''s absolutely no problem!" Dragging the reluctant Zhu Haomiao along, they made their way to the teaching building. Just as Ye Wan Ning was about to go upstairs, she received a phone call. "The food I ordered has arrived, I''ll go get it. You head up first, don''t run off!" Intending to sneak away, Zhu Haomiao hesitated upon hearing there was good food, and after much deliberation, decided he''d eat this meal first before escaping. After all, the real danger never came from Ye Wan Ning''s experiment research, but from his own inner self. As long as he stayed true to himself, nothing Ye Wan Ning did would pose any threat. More importantly, his current Dao Heart had leveled up! A mere Se Se shouldn''t be able to shake him anymore! After convincing himself, Zhu Haomiao made his way to meditation room 302, and as he opened the door, he was greeted by a beautiful sight. The afternoon breeze gently danced with the translucent curtains. A warm and soothing beam of sunlight shone onto the sofa, on which a long, languid figure lay. The long legs in jeans were slim and straight, forming an exaggerated proportion that could only be seen in manga. Perhaps to block the sunlight, a gray hoodie covered his head, tilted as he slept, showing only a chiselled profile. Though only a small part of the features could be seen, Zhu Haomiao instantly recognized him as the unjustly handsome guy he saw when he first met Ye Wan Ning! In an instant, he understood who Ye Wan Ning''s "bodyguard" was, and a sour feeling welled up in Zhu Haomiao''s heart, with Jealousy starting to spread like wildfire. But fortunately, both his Dao Heart and Jealousy were at LV.1, and realizing his emotions were getting out of hand, Zhu Haomiao quickly emptied his Spirit Platform, easily suppressing the twisted jealousy. Wow...they''re a match made in heaven; who am I, this monster, to oppose them? Stay calm, stay calm! Su E is the eternal god! While chanting the mantra in his heart, the figure on the sofa seemed to sense someone entering and turned, uttering a sweet whimper while still in the throes of sleep. "Mmm~~" "Oil, I''m hungry." The syrupy sweet voice made Zhu Haomiao shiver, and as those long, enchanting, hazy eyes slowly opened, it was as if a fox spirit, beguiling the world, awoke from slumber, turning the whole world amorous and dreamy. At this moment, gender no longer mattered; the person before him was as beautiful as a supernatural work of art, making one want to possess him unconditionally. In an instant, Zhu Haomiao understood why the word "beauty is a disaster" existed in ancient times and what it meant to conquer a city with a smile, and the country with another. The lustful fire in Zhu Haomiao''s heart raged uncontrollably, but in the next second, realizing the person wasn''t Ye Wan Ning, those sultry, alluring fox eyes suddenly narrowed. The entire aura changed sharply, a piercing gaze like a steel blade across the skin, like a bucket of icy water pouring down, instantly brought Zhu Haomiao back to his senses. The bewitching, mesmerizing fox eyes turned into aggressive, sword-like brows and starry eyes. With just a squint, the person on the sofa changed from an alluring beauty into an unparalleled gentleman. With consciousness gradually returning, the feminine seductive aura on him faded, replaced by sharp male elegance. It was indeed the same face, yet the air around him made a 180-degree shift in an instant, and Zhu Haomiao, who initially presumed he was a woman disguised as a man, was at a loss to determine what gender this guy really was. Could be male, could be female, could be salty, could be sweet? In a way, this guy is even more terrifying than Ye Wan Ning! Noticing his Dao Heart violently wavering, Zhu Haomiao began seriously considering that maybe men weren''t impossible after all, leaving him feeling a chill down his spine. Terrified, he took two steps back, looking at the person as if he were a beast ready to devour men. Such a slight tremor to my Dao Heart, is he an Innate Transgender Saint Body?! Curse it! This guy is terrifying, if he''s not dealt with, he''ll become a huge problem in the future! But the problem is, I don''t think I can beat him! A muddle of inexplicable thoughts churned wildly in Zhu Haomiao''s mind, making his expression quite varied. On the other side, seeing the young man''s myriad expressions and confused gaze, Li Cang couldn''t help but furrow his attractive brows. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This guy didn''t seem very mentally stable, kind of loopy... Chapter 33 - 33: Best Dining Companion "So you''re that Zhu Haomiao?" The voice was no longer the sweet and milky tone from before but had become a magnetically low and androgynous sound. It could be described as a queen''s voice or the voice of a scummy guy with a seductive tone... But if he hadn''t just seen his enchanting side, Zhu Haomiao would definitely instinctively be 100% sure this was a male voice. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The main thing is his aura was too intimidating, full of sharpness, aggressiveness, and an oppressive vibe, which diluted and covered the feminine charm on him and highlighted the masculine and heroic beauty. Realizing he was losing control of his bold thoughts, Zhu Haomiao fearfully retreated to the door, anxiously shaking his head. "I don''t know any Zhu Haomiao, I just walked into the wrong room." After saying that, with Li Cang''s face full of question marks, Zhu Haomiao pulled open the door and ran, but bumped right into Ye Wan Ning who was carrying a bunch of stuff. "Where are you running to?" "Senior sister, I suddenly remembered I have something urgent to do..." "And what urgent matter is that?" "Emmmmm..." Worried about his orientation, at a loss for a reasonable excuse, Zhu Haomiao got tragically stuck in place. Ye Wan Ning, sensing the anxiety in his words, smiled coldly. "Get in!" "Senior sister, I really have something urgent!" "No! You don''t!" Ignoring him completely, Ye Wan Ning dragged the boy inside, casually closed the door, and locked it as well. Click~ Hearing the door lock, Zhu Haomiao shivered in disbelief, looking at Ye Wan Ning. This girl is really something! Do you know what it means to lock me in with the two of you? That''s double the fright! It''s scarier than one plus one, it''s one times one! Uh... wait, something''s off with that math... Whatever, as long as the gist is clear! A couple''s rice bowl, aren''t you scared?! Stack the two of you like this, and then like that... Can''t say more without getting censored! It''s just terrifying! However, Ye Wan Ning paid no attention to Zhu Haomiao''s distressed demeanor. She placed her bags of food on the table and waved at a figure on the sofa. "Cangcang, time to eat." Li Cang nodded, his delicate face still showing a hint of sleepy daze, and after two seconds, he slowly got up and helped Ye Wan Ning arrange the takeout. "What are you standing there for? Come over and eat!" Turning back, Ye Wan Ning found Zhu Haomiao still looking wary and suspicious, huddled in the corner. Annoyed, she waved him over. At her words, the boy gave her a dissatisfied glare. Am I your family dog? Just a wave and I''m supposed to come eat? Haven''t you heard "A prudent man does not accept unsolicited food"?! Zhu Haomiao wanted to loudly rebuke her like that, but the enticing fragrance of the dishes wafted over, reluctantly prompting him to shuffle closer. "Cangcang, this is your [Mountain Four Seasons Spring]." "Shui, this is your [Giant Taro Ball Boba Red Bean Pudding Coconut Milk Tea]." After seating Zhu Haomiao and Li Cang on either side of her, Ye Wan Ning deftly took out the drinks, while her friend kept frowning at the table full of food. "Oil, are you planning to eat leftovers for days again? Why so much?" Upon hearing this, Ye Wan Ning smiled smugly, patting the boy beside her on the shoulder. "Hehe, let me introduce to you my best eating buddy, Zhu Haomiao!" "He seems to have awakened some sort of [Food Bucket] supernatural talent, able to consume food far beyond the capacity of his stomach!" "With him around, no matter how much I order, none goes to waste; he can finish every last bit!" "And he''s got a great appetite, everything tastes delicious to him!" Sitting opposite, Li Cang blinked, staring at Zhu Haomiao expressionlessly. "So... you''re Zhu Haomiao." No! I''m not! After I finish this meal, I''ll change my name. From now on, call me Niugulu¡¤Pervert! On the other side, oblivious to Zhu Haomiao''s twisted expression, Ye Wan Ning patted Li Cang''s shoulder. "Oh right, Shui, let me introduce you to this guy who''s 1.88 meters tall, with legs 2 meters long, my good friend Li Cang. You can just call him Cangcang." Wow, 1.88 meters tall, legs 2 meters long, is the upper body a negative number? A thought itching in his chest that he just had to get out, Zhu Haomiao suddenly noticed a detail. Wait, Cangcang? That sounds like a feminine nickname! Lighting up, Zhu Haomiao looked at Ye Wan Ning with hopeful eyes. I''m not a pervert; my orientation can be saved! "Senior sister, this Cang..." As if she''d seen this scene countless times before and knew exactly what Zhu Haomiao was about to ask, Ye Wan Ning smirked with a mischievous grin. "Male." Boom! Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s familiar expression, as if struck by lightning, heart broken, Ye Wan Ning''s mischievous smile grew even bolder. Li Cang gave her an exasperated look but didn''t refute. Perceiving this, the last shred of hope in Zhu Haomiao''s heart was completely shattered, his whole being turning gray. It''s over... super doubled... from now on, call me Aixinjueluo¡¤Pervert... But after a while, a new thought clicked in Zhu Haomiao''s mind. Wait, this isn''t so bad compared to liking a cat, is it? At least he''s a person! And he''s stunning! He could even play Su Daji in women''s clothes! Just... a small chest... Casually glancing at Li Cang''s flat chest across the table, Zhu Haomiao carefully analyzed, thought deeply, and finally hit his palm in realization. It''s not that I''m a pervert; it''s that he''s too beautiful, ambiguous! When I questioned, it wasn''t me with the problem; it was him! Exactly! The problem''s not me; it''s him! Once I pass the buck, the world feels open and vast. With clarity, Zhu Haomiao felt a sudden transparency, untangling his confusion. Meanwhile, Ye Wan Ning sipped her [Giant Taro Ball Boba Red Bean Pudding Coconut Milk Tea], staring at Zhu Haomiao''s enlightened smile, a holy Buddha light seemingly radiating from him, full of question marks. Where has this guy''s mind wandered off to now? Even I, a crazy person, can''t keep up with him... Fine, let''s eat! Let''s eat! Picking up her chopsticks and attacking the table full of delicacies, Ye Wan Ning soon got lost in the array of food. Beside her, Li Cang ate elegantly, while Zhu Haomiao, recalling certain matters, pursed his lips with a speechless expressiveness, his gaze drifting between them. Such a perfect pair, handsome and beautiful, they must be a couple, right? Then when I kissed senior sister earlier, wasn''t that like a bull in a china shop... Emmmm... now facing the aggrieved party for a meal, I''m feeling a bit anxious... Chapter 34 - 34: Lost Ye Wan Ning didn''t notice his gaze, still enthusiastically serving dishes for the two of them. "Shui, this beef tenderloin is so delicious~" "Cangcang, your favorite twice-cooked pork." Throughout the meal, Zhu Haomiao was on pins and needles, feeling like time was crawling. Even more terrifying, the more he looked at Li Cang, the more he felt that this guy being her boyfriend was also charming, quite tasty... But just thinking about him being male, a heartfelt shiver made Zhu Haomiao feel uncomfortable all over, goosebumps rising sharply. No way! My old self''s [Dao Heart] is unsteady, I can''t stay here for long! With a flicker of his eyeballs, Zhu Haomiao quickly thought of a reasonable excuse. "Senior sister, there''s something I need to tell you." "What is it?" "I''m about to participate in the [U18 Ascension Competition], and I probably won''t have much time to do research with you in the future..." "Hmm??! You got a recommendation? And passed it?" "Yes." "Hiss! Who on earth managed to squeeze you in just before the registration deadline? Such incredible connections!" Ye Wan Ning took a sharp intake of breath. Only by truly understanding the enormous complex interests behind the [Ascension Competition] can one grasp how this seemingly casual maneuver actually showcased terrifying power. "Ah? Is it hard?" Zhu Haomiao frowned in confusion, looking at Ye Wan Ning in puzzlement. I just casually mentioned it to Teacher Su E, feeling her recommendation reasons were randomly written. Trying to be a decent person, feeling anxious! That this reason even passed is honestly absurd! However, Ye Wan Ning looked at Zhu Haomiao with a complicated gaze, staring silently for a long time before distressfully looking at Li Cang. "Damn, he pulled it off!" Li Cang slightly curled the corners of his mouth, revealing a trace of schadenfreude in his cold gaze. "So you understand now how others feel when they see your Versailles moments?" "..." Ye Wan Ning puckered her lips, sipping on her milk tea a couple of times, then handed it reluctantly to Zhu Haomiao. Watching the boy skillfully take Ye Wan Ning''s milk tea and gulp it down in two sips, Li Cang, recalling Ye Wan Ning''s previous description of his Extraordinary Power, looked thoughtfully at the half-full Four Seasons Spring in his hand, tentatively offering it. "Can you still drink more?" Gazing into Li Cang''s sincere and clear eyes, Zhu Haomiao put on a constipated face, struggling to speak. A man can''t say no! But am I your trash can? Dump all kinds of stuff on me?! Noticing Zhu Haomiao''s hesitation, Ye Wan Ning quickly explained. "Cangcang''s family has strict rules, they don''t allow him to waste a single grain of food. When eating with him, you have to finish everything on the table." "It''s made me develop a similar habit now." Upon hearing this, Li Cang calmly shook his head. "It''s not really a family rule. My grandfather was in the old army, survived crossing snowy mountains by sharing saved food from his comrades who starved, so he taught me since I was little to cherish food as it might represent a life." Listening to Li Cang''s calm narration, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably grew a sense of guilt, feeling the Four Seasons Spring in his hand became heavy, unable to carry out the abandoning action he originally intended. Damn it! This isn''t a reason for me to be a trash can! Why don''t you just drink it yourself? Do you both think my stomach is a bottomless pit? And you can just throw all the leftovers at me? Damn it! You really know how to read people! However, back in my former life, grabbing a drink with brothers after playing ball didn''t feel awkward, now Zhu Haomiao felt utterly uncomfortable. Maybe it''s because Li Cang is too good-looking, a world apart from those quirky-looking mates from before. But after pondering for a while, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized that caring about this matter was itself his inability to view Li Cang with an ordinary mindset. Right! Stay calm, stay calm! Just treat him as those old mates from before! Having figured this out, Zhu Haomiao calmly finished the remaining Four Seasons Spring, steering the topic back on track. "Senior sister, about the Ascension Competition..." "Don''t worry, with a [Dao Heart] like yours at this age, it''s basically one-on, one-off. We''ll just schedule our time when you''re back on break." Before the words were finished, Ye Wan Ning waved her small hand indifferently. "Huh? One-on, one-off?" Is Illusion Realm''s welfare really that good? Pah! No! Zhu Haomiao''s shocked appearance made Li Cang unable to stand it, and he helplessly explained. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "The strength of [Dao Heart] determines how long you can stay in the Illusion Realm at one time. Normally during the Initial Heavenly Position stage, textbooks recommend ''one-on, one-off'', meaning for how long you stay in the Illusion Realm, you should rest as long in the real world to stabilize your self-cognition and [Existence Anchor]." "If you forcibly linger in the Initial Heavenly Position, at worst it causes consciousness confusion and mental disorders, at worse it damages [Dao Heart], and higher positions might cause [Lost]... " "Existence Anchor? Lost?" Another round of unheard professional terms left Zhu Haomiao babbling, feeling like a fool. Li Cang and Ye Wan Ning exchanged a glance, noticing a trace of doubt in each other''s eyes. Who on earth recommended this illiterate person enter the Illusion Realm? At least learn the basics... Sighing, Li Cang continued his explanation. "Time flow in the Illusion Realm is different from reality, multiples during the Initial Heavenly Position, and soars to hundreds of times in the mid-high ranks!" "The saying goes, a day in the heavens, a year on the earth; your life in the Illusion Realm is way longer than in reality, and without firm self-cognition, you might gradually forget everything in reality, completely merging into the Illusion Realm''s native being, never returning." "This situation is referred to as [Lost]." "To prevent [Lost], periodically returning to the real world, traversing the real and illusory barrier keeps oneself awake, reinforcing self-cognition continually, forming [Existence Anchor Point] in mystic concept. This allows deeper Illusion Realm dives, achieving higher Heavenly Positions..." "Otherwise, with each rank increase in Heavenly Position, the risk of getting lost multiplies." Listening to Li Cang''s explanation, Zhu Haomiao nodded in daze, feeling the concepts were a bit abstract. Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s partly understanding expression, Ye Wan Ning interrupted Li Cang with a wave of her hand. "You haven''t entered the Illusion Realm, it''s normal not to understand. You''ll naturally get it later, just remember to message me when you''re back for a break, and I''ll arrange the time then." After all that talk, it still couldn''t escape Ye Wan Ning''s grasp, Zhu Haomiao nodded with a bitter face. Why risk your life for thirty thousand bucks? Dragging your boyfriend along too? Don''t you know the Original Sin [Se Se] goes even after cats when going berserk! If [Se Se] loses control, giving in to Beast Nature, you guys will be in serious trouble! Frowning in pain, Zhu Haomiao began seriously contemplating how to avoid such an appalling situation. Chapter 35 - 35: Golden Sacred Armor After much thought, the only reliable way is to enhance the Dao Heart! From current experience, suppressing Original Sin of the same level with a Dao Heart of the same level is quite easy, unless there is some special stimulation; otherwise, it will not easily get out of control. Just not sure if there''s any channel in the Illusion Realm to quickly hone the Dao Heart... Just as Zhu Haomiao was deep in thought, Ye Wan Ning suddenly spoke. "Cangcang, go change your equipment." Hearing this, Li Cang frowned slightly and glanced at Zhu Haomiao. "Really need the full armor? Isn''t that a bit exaggerated?" "Trust me, if you don''t wear full armor, you might not be able to suppress him when he goes crazy!" Hearing her words, knowing she never speaks inaccurately, Li Cang narrowed his eyes slightly and asked in a voice as faint as a mosquito. "Mythical Species?" "Yes, it should be a direct bloodline awakening of a Mythical Species, the positional level is very intimidating." Recalling that dark sun in the mind projection from that day, Ye Wan Ning still instinctively shudders, shaking her head vigorously to throw off the psychological shadow. Hearing this, Li Cang looked at Zhu Haomiao with a strange expression, got up, and headed towards the changing room. "Shui, you better lie down, don''t go crazy yet, wait for me to finish changing!" "......." Following Ye Wan Ning''s instructions, Zhu Haomiao lay on the examination bed, watching her carefully shrink into a corner, put on a luxurious golden headdress in ancient Greek style, and take out a mysterious staff over two meters long, featuring countless hollowed-out patterns, staring at him like facing a formidable enemy. "Athena''s Protection!" "Taiqing Protection Spell!" ... In just a minute or two, watching her cast over a dozen protection spells on him, Zhu Haomiao found her whole being emitting a faint, seven-colored divine light visible to the naked eye. However, when the door to the changing room was pushed open, compared to the majestic figure walking out slowly, the radiant Ye Wan Ning suddenly dimmed. It was a tall figure clad in a full set of golden armor, with long and exquisite curves fitting closely to the body, the elegant plate armor covered more than 80% of the body, key areas like the torso were covered in a thick golden glow, and the inverted triangular waist structure effortlessly showcased Li Cang''s comic-like perfect figure, appearing majestic, elegant, and full of a violent aesthetic. The most critical aspect was, a pure white cloak fluttered and waved around him in the absence of wind, encapsulating him with a faint golden semi-transparent flame visible to the naked eye, inexplicably bringing a trace of noble and flawless divinity. Sitting up with a whoosh, Zhu Haomiao incredulously looked at that familiar yet strange appearance, and a term slipped out unconsciously. "Golden Sacred Armor?!!!" "Hmm? You actually recognize it?" Li Cang looked at Zhu Haomiao with astonishment, not understanding how this novice lacking common knowledge could recognize at a glance a true object divine artifact produced by the High Sky Rank. However, looking at Li Cang''s unparalleled handsome face, 1.88 meters of sturdy build, styled to a level without equal, the bitterness in Zhu Haomiao''s mouth and the sourness in his chest surged out like a fountain. Heavens have no eyes!!! It''s one thing to be handsome, another to have a good body, having a girlfriend like senior sister is tolerable too! But to also have a Golden Sacred Armor?!!! Besides robots, you have fulfilled all men''s dreams! Are you even human?! I hope you never manage to poop in your life!!! The malicious blessing had just formed in his mind before being suppressed, Zhu Haomiao clearly sensed Jealousy at play, quickly cleared his mind, focused his gaze downwards. Amitabha Buddha, good, good... "Control Jealousy, Dao Heart +1" On the other hand, Li Cang didn''t notice Zhu Haomiao''s sorrow, leisurely glanced at Ye Wan Ning. "Start quickly, I can''t maintain the full armor for long in reality." "Alright, Shui, lie down quickly, Cangcang, come over, stand in front of me!" Seeing Ye Wan Ning sneakily hiding behind him, peering out, Li Cang once again glanced at Zhu Haomiao oddly. This is not some man-eating monster, is there a need for such exaggeration? Even if he has the direct bloodline of a Mythical Species, he''s merely a fragile child. And with their current condition, even if a Human God came, they''d hold on for a while; is such a defensive stance necessary against a child? "Cangcang, your Sacred Armor can resist the pressure of divine nature''s rank, when Shui goes crazy later, just beat him! Beat him hard!" "Ah?!" The young man, still immersed in grief, widened his eyes, looking at Ye Wan Ning in disbelief. Senior sister, this has a personal touch to it, you know! Just a single kiss, was it that big of a deal? "What are you looking at? Lie down quickly!" Ye Wan Ning stuck her head out from behind Li Cang, urged with a fierce yet timid shout and quickly shrank her head back. However, when the experiment actually began, Zhu Haomiao, whose heart had grown as cold as stone, did not display any abnormality. After conducting more than a dozen tests without any reaction, Ye Wan Ning, unable to understand, furrowed her exquisite and beautiful features into a knot. What exactly did I do that day to trigger Shui''s bloodline awakening? Oh right, it was establishing a mental link! But why did establishing a mental link this time yield no reaction from Shui?! "Oil, is it done? I can''t last much longer..." Li Cang asked expressionlessly, seeing the bangs on his forehead soaked with cold sweat, Ye Wan Ning finally realized, nodding quickly. "It should be fine, you can take off the Sacred Armor now." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Mm." When that radiant golden can walked into the changing room, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but ask. "Senior sister, Li Cang''s gear..." "Very handsome, right? You want it, right? That''s a true object divine artifact produced by some High Sky Rank, even Cangcang struggles to manage it right now, so don''t think about it for a while!" "......." Zhu Haomiao initially intended to ask about the specific situation of the Illusion Realm to see if it had any connection to the Saint Fighters of his previous life. But upon a little thought, asking such questions with his current level of transcendental knowledge might risk exposing himself, plus the High Sky Rank was truly too far from his current reach. After a few seconds of silence, Zhu Haomiao seamlessly nodded in agreement. "Mm, I understand." "By the way, Shui, do you have any clue about your last outburst? Was it triggered by my experiment? Or was it due to internal reasons within yourself?" If it was merely an accidental occurrence, unable to replicate the experiment stably, the research difficulty would be Hell Level. Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao instinctively glanced at her delicate and translucent lips, felt a stir within and quickly averted his gaze. "Well..." Seeing the young man''s hesitation and evasion, Ye Wan Ning''s eyes lit up. "You have a clue?" "Uh..." After a moment of hesitation, Zhu Haomiao decided to be honest and dissuade her. Although senior sister is a good person and he quite likes her, her appearance is just too dangerous, plus she often unintentionally courts disaster. If, by any chance, something truly beastly were to happen one day, it would actually harm both parties... Chapter 36 - 36: The Ascension Competition Begins With a long sigh, the young man calmly met Ye Wan Ning''s eyes. "Senior Sister, that day you were too close, your breath like orchids, and your lips so tempting..." As he said this, Zhu Haomiao found himself feeling a bit nauseous, while Ye Wan Ning turned completely red with embarrassment. "Then why do you never seem to be tempted when we''re usually together? Instead, you act quite natural and normal?" Ye Wan Ning leaned closer to the young man, her eyes shimmering like clear autumn waters, making Zhu Haomiao''s heart uncontrollably race. Because that day [Lust] just happened to level up! But he couldn''t say that, so Zhu Haomiao gritted his teeth, resigned himself to his fate, and spread his hands: "Anyway, it''s all Senior Sister''s fault for being too beautiful; I just can''t control myself." Ye Wan Ning: "..." "What are you guys talking about?" Just then, Li Cang came out of the changing room, turning ordinary jeans and a hoodie into a top model fashion statement. "We were discussing the inducing conditions for the next experiment." Upon hearing Ye Wan Ning''s words, Zhu Haomiao stiffly turned his head and stared at her, his eyes twitching. I went this far deliberately; isn''t this girl at least supposed to call me a creep and cut off contact permanently? The ambitious ones might even write a small essay and post it on a forum; why doesn''t she play by the rules? I was all ready to silently endure this humiliation!! Grinding his teeth, Zhu Haomiao turned abruptly and stormed out, his angry silhouette leaving Li Cang confused and tilting his head. "What''s up with him?" "No clue, maybe he''s thinking about something happy." "Then why is your face so red?" "None of your business, mind your own social matters!" "??? Li Cang was bewildered, looking at his friend''s weirdly shy and angry expression, and wisely changed the topic. "Oil, next time could you not wear full armor? Supporting a complete divine artifact in real life is exhausting." "No way, if I sacrifice myself, the Holy Clothes can at least preserve your chastity." "Ah????" Li Cang widened his eyes in horror, his elegant eyebrows slowly knitting together, and after a long silence, he asked a soul-searching question. "Oil, is it necessary to conduct this crappy experiment?" Upon hearing this, Ye Wan Ning confidently patted her chest and assured him. "Don''t worry! If something happens, there''s a tall one standing in front!" Li Cang: "..." Just now, it was clearly me standing in front! Not only did you cower behind me, but you were scared to death! Wait... the tall one?! His pupils suddenly shrank, and Li Cang took a deep breath, his handsome features scrunching up in realization. I think I''m the tall one... ........ Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao trudged back to his dormitory with a heavy heart, only to be stopped at the entrance by someone. "Zhu Haomiao!" "What?" The sharp gaze made the person quiver, and they quickly explained their purpose. "Hello, I''m the liaison for the [U18 Ascension Competition], please add me as a friend, and I will provide you with all the match-related schedules and notifications." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao suppressed his remaining anger and calmly nodded. "Thank you." After they added each other as friends, the liaison reminded him of some precautions before hurriedly leaving. Back in his room, after examining the pile of documents sent by them, Zhu Haomiao suddenly understood why there were so many unfamiliar, even foreign, faces on campus recently. It turns out that the Illusion Realm for the upcoming competition hasn''t been developed on a large scale yet, and currently, there are fewer than twenty stable [Gates] around the world. Many small countries without the capability to build their own [Gates] have to borrow passages from friendly major countries. In a daze, Zhu Haomiao saw a microcosm of geopolitical dynamics in these details. By carefully studying the actual usage of the [Gates], one can discern today''s national alliances, geopolitical patterns, and more intriguing insights. Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao looked on with amusement, pondering for a while before mocking himself with a smile. Since I''m not in that position, why am I thinking so much? When the day comes that I can stir the winds and rains of the world, it won''t be too late to think about these things. Gathering his thoughts, Zhu Haomiao looked at the detailed introduction of the Illusion Realm for this competition, slowly narrowing his eyes. Illusion Domain Heavenly Position: First Layer Heaven Illusion Realm Area: Boundless Type Category: Magic Time Flow: 1:10 Duration: 1 True Year (equating to 10 Virtual Years) Introduction: Near-Earth modern timeline, late 19th century... After repeatedly reading the sparse introduction, Zhu Haomiao attempted to glean more specific information, but in the end, could only shake his head helplessly. It seems that the organizers only want the contenders to have a basic concept; more specific information must be explored on their own. As he continued reading downward, seeing that the competition officially starts in just two days, Zhu Haomiao let out a long breath and couldn''t help but smile. Finally! Finally, I can release and vent the desires suppressed and imprisoned by reality! Like a fierce beast bound tightly in its limbs, he couldn''t help but want to break free, show his true form, and roar out his anger! Taking a slow, deep breath, Zhu Haomiao whispered devoutly, almost like self-hypnosis. "Stay true to yourself, and do whatever you desire." ........ Two days later, after filling Diao Chan''s bowl with food and water, Zhu Haomiao held his pet, giving it earnest instructions. "There''s enough food in the fridge to last you a month. In theory, I''ll be back tomorrow evening, but if something unexpected happens to me, I''ve left a crack in the window. Go out and find your own food if you need to, understood?" "Chirp~" Diao Chan blinked its big eyes as if it half-understood, and extended its pink little tongue to lick Zhu Haomiao''s face. Rubbing the little creature''s head, Zhu Haomiao put on the [Dragon Emblem] and, filled with anticipation and excitement, walked out the door. A half-hour later, he arrived at the Central Super''s main building''s small [Boundary Pass], seeing many foreign faces like him wearing badges along the way. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There were dark-skinned African friends, people in white robes, exotic-looking Persian girls, and blond, blue-eyed Slavs... Of course, the majority were domestic, lively boys and girls speaking various dialects. Their badge designs were all different, although without specific studies in [Extraordinary Heraldry], Zhu Haomiao only recognized China''s [Dragon Emblem]. However, even their [Dragon Emblem]s weren''t the same; his badge was of a grayish black iron color, while others'' were either silver or gold, clearly more advanced than his. Gold, silver, bronze, iron... Could it be that the color and texture of the badge represent a person''s strength? Chapter 37 - 37: The Page of Mirror Image With a vague suspicion in his heart, Zhu Haomiao quietly observed and discovered that contenders wearing other badges also followed this principle. Most of them were made of silver, with only a few being gold and bronze. Those wearing golden badges were obviously more confident, moving with a shine that suggested they hadn''t been beaten before. Conversely, people wearing bronze badges were more low-key, as for the black iron badges... Surveying the whole scene, Zhu Haomiao found that aside from some wild contenders without badges, his black iron [Dragon Emblem] was the most disappointing. Oh well, at least I''m not at the bottom of the disdain chain; some people don''t even have badges! After consoling himself, Zhu Haomiao ignored the curious gazes around him and walked briskly toward the [Boundary Pass] entrance. It was soon his turn to enter. "Zhu Haomiao, No. 167, enter from the [Gate] on the third floor." Using some unknown method, the staff glanced at his [Dragon Emblem], and the machine beside them spat out a small slip of paper, clearly detailing the upcoming process. Taking the slip handed over by the staff, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the mundane three-story building in front of him, took a deep breath, and stepped inside with a bit of excitement. Reaching the third floor and passing through a long corridor, the youth saw an ornate door frame standing alone in the center of the hall. Inside the door frame was a chaotic film undulating like a water wave, with unseen colorful streams flowing and flickering on it, enticing people to step inside. Is this the gap between illusion and reality, the [Gate] connecting the real and the dream?! Observing quietly without a trace, Zhu Haomiao watched as the person before him passed through the film and disappeared within the door, and his name was then heard in his ears. "Next, Zhu Haomiao, expected to exit in 60 seconds, please prepare." Sigh~ Taking a gentle deep breath, Zhu Haomiao followed the staff''s guidance to stand before the [Gate], quietly waiting for the countdown. The short sixty seconds flew by, and listening to the staff''s instruction, Zhu Haomiao stepped into the door. It was like passing through an invisible water film; instantly, Zhu Haomiao felt the world spinning. A sense of weightlessness and falling engulfed him, his senses and consciousness gradually turning chaotic. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dilapidated, ancient temple. The doors and windows had long rotted away, and even the beams above head had collapsed halfway. A chilly wind blew through the broken holes, making the pile of campfire on the ground sway dangerously. Using the campfire''s light, Zhu Haomiao approached the door to look outside, discovering the courtyard outside was overgrown with weeds, and further away, the courtyard wall had crumbled to just its roots. Beyond that, he could only see a dense forest of shadows, resembling terrifying ghosts with claws and fangs, sending chills down his spine. Where was I reborn? Zhu Haomiao slightly frowned, recalling his limited, superficial knowledge of the extraordinary. Firstly, the "alien objects" of reality, upon entering the Illusion Realm, will combine with the Laws of Heaven and Earth, giving birth to an identity that adheres to the rules. The higher the Heavenly Destiny, the nobler the identity birthed. As for myself... Glancing down at his patched, faded clothes, Zhu Haomiao completely abandoned the hope of High Destiny. Others at least start with a dog and rely on picking up gear. I not only have no gear, I don''t even have a dog! Looking all over himself, only the [Dragon Emblem] on his chest faintly glowed with a metallic luster, Zhu Haomiao sighed helplessly. Fortunately, I still have the [Book of Black]. Raising his hand to grasp in the air, a sliver of black light quietly blossomed in his palm, condensing into an ancient and heavy mystical tome. With a thought, the [Book of Black] unfolded soundlessly, and Zhu Haomiao noticed a subtle change within. Each previous page became dull, and on the back of each, new mirror-image text appeared. [Zhu Haomiao] Bloodline: Mortal Rank: Primordial Sin Virtual Life: 89 Dao Heart: LV.1 (92/100) [God]: 0.7 [Dexterity]: 0.6 [Strength]: 0.5 [Essence]: 0.4 [Qi]: 0.4 [Body]: 0.5 His Dao Heart and real-life Six-dimensional Attributes carried over to the Illusion Realm, but the seven [Original Sins] all reset to zero. Interestingly, the life span became Virtual Life, hinting at the unreal nature of this page... [Greed]: LV.0 (0/50) [Jealousy]: LV.0 (0/50) [Anger]: LV.0 (0/50) [Gluttony]: LV.0 (0/50) [Lust]: LV.0 (0/50) [Sloth]: LV.0 (0/50) [Pride]: LV.0 (0/50) In a daze, Zhu Haomiao had a realization: the front of the pages represented reality, while the back represented illusion. The information generated on the backs is a mirror image and interacts with the reality-representing pages, serving as a channel for supernatural power to seep into reality. Clenching his fist instinctively, the LV.2 [Anger] Extraordinary Power from reality did not vanish, and a volatile, uncontrollable force began brewing within. Sigh~ Exhaling a turbid breath, Zhu Haomiao dispelled the power, reabsorbed the [Book of Black] into his Divine Soul, and sat by the campfire to fend off the night''s chill. Now that the basic situation is roughly clear, tomorrow he''ll explore the region he''s currently in. Based on self-awareness, culture, religion, language, customs, and writing being implicit conditions, it''s highly likely he reincarnated within the bounds of China. The only worrisome thing is that the late 19th-century Chinese land was chaos among chaos, where strange gods and monsters roamed freely, let alone a magic-enhanced version... While pondering future plans, Zhu Haomiao suddenly heard a weary call from not far away. "Is there anyone inside?" Before long, two silhouettes using canes supported each other and entered his view. A pair of raggedly clothed husband and wife, the husband, yellow-faced and emaciated, carried all the broken luggage on his back simply because his wife was heavily pregnant. The couple slowly approached the broken temple, standing outside the firelight peering in fearfully. "Please, sir inside, help us. My wife is with child and can''t withstand the wind and rain. We beg you for a place where we might shelter from the storm..." Listening to the husband''s pitiful pleas, Zhu Haomiao sighed deeply. "Come in." Upon hearing this, the couple exchanged a look of joy. "Thank you, young master, may you have luck as boundless as the Eastern Sea and long life akin to the Southern Mountain!" Recognizing the youthful sound of Zhu Haomiao''s voice, the couple quickly expressed their gratitude repeatedly. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao realized his voice had become more youthful, and his body seemed to shrink a bit. Rebirth generally corresponds to the physical stage in reality, so have I gone from late adolescence back to early adolescence? S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Touching his cheeks, feeling the smooth, tender texture, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. The couple who entered the broken temple huddled far in the corner, seemingly afraid of offending the youth and not daring to come closer. "Hey, do you know where we are now?" Watching the couple huddling at a distance for warmth, Zhu Haomiao asked leisurely. Chapter 38 - 38: Im Not a Demon "Yes, we are now in Anhui territory. If we head out to the official road and walk for a few dozen miles, we''ll reach the Huai River..." Listening to the man''s nervous recounting, Zhu Haomiao immediately had a concept of his location, nodding happily. The charm of an Earth-like Illusion Realm is that the geography is largely similar to reality, easily understood with a word. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Thank you. As a return, I''ll let you die a little quicker." Casually picking up a piece of wood with faint traces of gold lacquer from the ground, it seemed to be a Magic Artifact once held by the Vajra in the temple, but now it''s rotted to just a stub. Seeing the boy approach slowly with the wooden stick, the husband fearfully shielded his wife, kowtowing and begging bitterly. "Please, young master, spare us. We shouldn''t have disturbed you. We''ll leave now, please spare our lives!" However, Zhu Haomiao only scoffed with a playfully sarcastic shake of his head. "No, I can''t. After all, I''m an emotionless assassin!" Whoosh~ The hefty wooden stick swept down with a powerful gust, aiming precisely for the top of the skull, but swung through empty air. The seemingly weak and feeble man moved like a ghost several meters horizontally, using hands and feet, glaring at Zhu Haomiao like a beast, his grinning mouth stretched to the ears, revealing sinister black tusks. "How did you find out?" "Too smelly." Looking at the man, Zhu Haomiao swung the stick behind him without turning, precisely hitting the pregnant woman''s temple as she lunged from behind, deforming her skull on impact. "Awoooo!!!" The temple caved in, the pregnant woman let out a chilling and piercing scream, writhing and rolling on the ground, making such a racket that Zhu Haomiao impatiently glanced back. "Noisy." Boom! Lifting a foot, he kicked fiercely at the pregnant woman''s bulging stomach, the violent force sent her flying back, slamming hard against the wall. With nowhere for the enormous pressure in her abdomen to escape, fragments of severed limbs mixed with putrid slime vomited and spewed from her mouth, forming a nauseating puddle of bloody slurry on the ground. Seeing those half-digested limbs and viscera, Zhu Haomiao frowned with disgust. There were clearly some that resembled a child''s hands and feet... This was no pregnant woman; it was clearly a gluttonous Ghost Woman bloated to the brim! "I changed my mind. I can''t let you die too swiftly." Shwish~ Just as Zhu Haomiao''s attention was focused on the Ghost Woman, a shrill slicing sound came from behind. The man''s nails had transformed into one by one black daggers, with a faint stench reaching for the back of the boy''s head. Still not turning around, Zhu Haomiao grabbed backward, catching the incoming wrist with precision, and a blood-like glow exploded in his eyes, invisible to the naked eye. [Anger]! The power of the spirit permeated reality, Zhu Haomiao''s muscles instantly swelled, rampaging power surged within, and with a brute force fling, he swung the man like a rag, drawing a full arc across the air, slamming him hard onto the ground. Boom! Dust filled the dilapidated temple, and before it settled, Zhu Haomiao, with waist and horse united, concentrated all his strength to swing the ghost creature in his hand again. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! ... Seemingly to vent [Anger], Zhu Haomiao pounded the ghost creature back and forth on the ground like swatting a fly, leaving pools of putrid black blood amidst the sinister sound of bones cracking. But to the Ghost Woman watching on the side, the scene was so terrifyingly gruesome ¡ª what she thought was delicious food turned out to be more savage and ferocious than herself! Who is the real Evil Spirit here?! Endless terror filled her soul, and as the boy slaughtered his kin, the Ghost Woman frantically scrambled toward the temple''s exit on all fours. At that moment, she only felt that the seemingly harmless boy appeared more like a monster than them! Meanwhile, just as the boy was enjoying himself, he suddenly felt a lightness in his hand. Looking at the withered twisted broken arm in his palm, he smirked disdainfully. The body strength was too weak, just a bit above a mortal. But with another glance at the ground, with the ghost creature battered beyond human shape, fragmented into a mess, yet still writhing and struggling, Zhu Haomiao had to admit, this thing had quite the tenacious life force, like a cockroach. Whoo~ Exhaling a breath of cloudy air, Zhu Haomiao suppressed the rampant surging power, looking at the Ghost Woman struggling to crawl outside. Having emptied its stomach contents, it appeared noticeably more agile, staggering and tumbling toward the temple entrance. "Where are you running to? I am no Demon..." Mumbling with a tut, Zhu Haomiao took a brisk step to catch up, grabbing its ankle amidst its terrified and desperate screams. "Give it here!" "Awooooo!!!" The Ghost Woman clawed desperately at the ground, her sharp black nails futilely digging out ten deep grooves, but she couldn''t stop the boy from dragging her step by step back into the temple. "Quiet down, stop screaming!" "Awooooo!!!" Good words went unheeded, Zhu Haomiao frowning irritably, jabbed a stick into its mouth, grasped the end with both hands, and rammed down viciously! Sshh~ Under the immense force, the blunt head of the stick robustly pinned it alive to the ground. "Uh... muu..." The world instantly fell silent, leaving only the futile and desperate struggle of the Ghost Woman to pull the stick out of her mouth. Watching its ridiculous actions, Zhu Haomiao finally took a moment to settle his mind, sensing the stirrings of the [Book of Black]. With a raised hand, the ancient and mysterious [Book of Black] shifted from imaginary to real in his palm, its pages spread open, the pages of [Greed] and [Gluttony] flickered uncertainly like breathing. Instinctively glancing at the two gravely injured and dying ghost creatures, Zhu Haomiao had an epiphany, following the guidance of his spirituality and instinct, wielding Authority. "Gluttony." Dark, deep, like a whisper from the depths of the earth penetrating the soul, invoking that elusive chain of sinful cause and effect. The once barely alive Ghost Woman suddenly arched her body as if electrocuted, issuing muffled and unclear suppressed howls from her chest. "Awoo..." Soon, something seemed to be forcing its way out from between her chest and abdomen, a fist-sized bulge pressing against her skin. The horrifying bulge squirmed and finally pierced the skin, exposing a serpent-like eyeless creature. Like a newborn hatchling, the ravenous creature bit into the Ghost Woman, greedily devouring her flesh. With each bite, the creature''s body grew larger, while its tail remained rooted in the Ghost Woman''s chest and abdomen, linking it to the host like a umbilical cord! Chapter 39 - 39: [Greed Coin] Amidst the crunching sounds, in less than a minute, the Ghost Woman completely vanished from the world, leaving only a blind monstrous serpent biting its own tail in her place. Finally, the monstrous serpent holding its tail fell into a dead silence, and a ghostly light unseen by others merged into the Book of Black. The next moment, Zhu Haomiao felt a surge of mystical energy emerging from the depths of his soul. [Gluttony] +100 [Gluttony]: LV.0¡úLV.1 (50/100) [Body] +1 Seeing the information in the Book of Black, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up, but upon careful sensing, he found that the mystical energy did not directly strengthen him, but rather settled in his body like medicine, waiting for him to gradually uncover it. At the thought, the information on the attribute page confirmed his assumption. [Body]: 0.5¡ü(1) Indeed, growth in the Illusion Realm is much easier than in reality... Nodding with satisfaction, Zhu Haomiao''s greedy gaze slowly shifted to the other tattered ghost still struggling and writhing. "Greed." The immature voice transformed into an indescribable sinister whisper, the word spirit inherently possessing the power of law, instantly affecting the ghost, lifting it little by little into the air. "Uwaa~~" As if suffering unbearable pain, the already dying ghost suddenly became more ferocious, even its scarlet eyes protruding from their sockets, while its skeleton emitted a chilling cracking sound. Crack crack~ In the void, it was as if an invisible hand slowly twisted it, like wringing a towel, twisting the body into a twine shape. As the squeezing force continued to increase, burst bone marrow, blood, brain matter, and more primal substances that Zhu Haomiao was still unable to understand seeped out bit by bit, purified and refined under the laws of the Book of Black, ultimately condensing into a streak of golden light. As if seeing the world''s most precious treasure, Zhu Haomiao eagerly reached out, and a blood-stained exquisite gold coin flew into his palm from the air. At the same time, a new mystical energy injected into his body from the void, quietly settling at the depths of his soul. [Greed] +50 [Greed]: LV.0¡úLV.1 (0/100) [God] +1 In the boy''s palm, the gold coin absorbed the bloodstains like a sponge, revealing the delicate pattern upon it. It was a mysterious and sinister pyramid, with an eye surrounded by a triangle and emitting a myriad of rays, hovering atop the pyramid, emitting an eerie golden light that seemed to scrutinize the world. Zhu Haomiao: "..." Why does this seem so familiar? I feel like I''ve seen it somewhere before... Without realizing, he flipped his fingers, and the exquisite gold coin danced between his fingers like a little elf, suddenly vanishing without a trace from his palm. After a moment of contemplation, Zhu Haomiao pinched the air again, as if by magic, retrieved the coin from the void, and inspected it closely before his eyes. Finally, the boy recalled where he had seen this pattern. On the national emblem of the Ugly Country and the 1 US dollar bill, the floating All-Seeing Eye symbolizes "God" watching over humanity with its law eye! "..." Looking at the Book of Black in his hand, Zhu Haomiao gasped in disbelief, furrowing his brows. Bigµ¨! Who exactly are you insinuating? That''s the beacon of our human civilization! Avoid speaking words that harm unity! Slap~ With a clenched fist, the Book of Black instantly closed up, transforming into a black light merging into his palm, Zhu Haomiao shook his head in sorrow and looked at the two bizarrely shaped corpses on the ground. Should they be cleaned up? Forget it, they''re disgusting anyway, and he''ll leave in the morning, just let it be... Sitting back by the campfire, Zhu Haomiao withdrew the Extraordinary Power of anger, and a wave of post-exercise fatigue and weakness surged throughout his body. Release Original Sin, [Anger] +10 Aware of the message from the Book of Black, Zhu Haomiao calmly closed his eyes to rest, contemplating the upcoming journey. The first phase of the Ascension Competition is to reach and sign in at any of the ten global gathering points as soon as possible... Once a certain percentage of participants have signed in, or after reaching a specific time, the first phase will conclude, and those who haven''t signed in will be eliminated. Based on past experiences, the first phase would eliminate about 5% to 10% of the unlucky ones. The gathering point within China is in Shanghai, very close to his current location; it would take only a few hours of driving on the highway in modern times. Even with the infrastructure in the Illusion Realm, a pure walk would take no more than ten days to half a month. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The time is quite ample! However, the early stages of the Ascension Competition are very relaxed, meant for contenders to explore and adapt to the Illusion Realm; those with strong power and rich experience probably won''t head straight to check-in like him but will seek opportunities, inheritances, and True Objects along the way... While contemplating, Zhu Haomiao suddenly opened his eyes, his shadowy gaze fixed into the distance of the darkness. "There''s firelight in the temple!" "Be careful, arrange the goods, Lao Liu, Lao Qi, grab your gear and follow me in for a look." ... Indistinct conversations carried by the wind and soon several sturdy figures cautiously stepped into the broken temple courtyard. "Is there anyone inside?" Just as Zhu Haomiao was about to casually dismiss them, he had a thought and glanced at the two heaps of "garbage remnants" faintly emitting a corpse stench not far away. "Come in." Hearing the voice of a child, the three outside exchanged glances without relaxing, growing even more cautious. With weapons firmly in hand, the three formed a simple formation and moved into the temple, ready for anything. Entering the temple and seeing that the speaker was a powder carving jade-like little boy, the three subconsciously sighed in relief. But the next second, seeing the twisted and deformed corpses on the ground, their hair stood on end. "Clean up these two pieces of garbage, half the place is yours to stay tonight." Unconcerned with the trio''s shocked expressions, Zhu Haomiao pointed at the corpses on the ground, his calm tone carried an undeniable force. The man who had originally intended to retreat hesitated inexplicably, uncertain if defying this mysterious child would lead to a more dangerous situation. Yet his instincts from years of navigating the Jianghu told him that as long as they didn''t initiate trouble, the other side didn''t seem to care much about them. "Lao Liu, call the brothers to clean up." The burly man''s gaze was fixed on the small figure by the campfire, flicked his head slightly to instruct, even not daring to blink. In the wilderness, midnight, broken temple, and for miles around there were no inhabitants, where did such a delicate young master come from?! Either a demon or a being with superpower! While his comrade went to call others, the stout man cautiously clasped his hands in inquiry. "I am Liu Heng from Su State. May I know your esteemed name, Little Young Master, and where is your immortal hometown?" Chapter 40 - 40, The Health Bar Flickered Zhu Haomiao poked the campfire with a stick, making it burn more vigorously. "Imperial City, Zhu Haomiao." Upon hearing the boy''s lazy response, Liu Heng''s tense nerves slowly relaxed, secretly letting out a sigh of relief. Through close observation, he had roughly confirmed that the child across from him was not a demon in disguise. Just then, a few strong men filed in from behind Liu Heng, and upon seeing the bodies on the ground, they collectively let out a gasp. "Boss?!" "Help this young master tidy up and throw it far away." Waving his hand to signal his brothers not to ask too much, Liu Heng bravely approached Zhu Haomiao a few steps, bowing respectfully. "May I ask, young master..." Sitting on the steps, Zhu Haomiao looked up at Liu Heng''s tall and sturdy figure, glanced over the unsightly pigtail braid on his head, and instinctively frowned slightly, a trace of impatient purple-gold light flashing through his eyes. "Sit." The indisputable command made Liu Heng''s heart tremble, and he quickly sat not far from him, as if he had committed some monstrous crime, his heart filled with inexplicable fear and unease. It wasn''t until a few seconds later that Liu Heng suppressed the fear in his chest, glanced at the little boy with awe, and secretly wiped a handful of cold sweat. What kind of family can cultivate such an imposing presence? Without showing anything, just a word made my hair stand on end! Damn, he''s still a child! Quietly rubbing the goosebumps on his arm, Liu Heng cautiously observed while continuing. "May I ask, young master, those two bodies are?" "I don''t really understand either. They suddenly came sliding in at the door, probably attracted by the firelight just like you..." The noise outside made it hard to sleep, and Zhu Haomiao idly prodded at the campfire pile, briefly recounting what had happened earlier. "They are wrapped skin corpse ghosts! They specialize in eating lone travelers and then use the victim''s skin to ambush others..." Liu Heng blurted out confidently, but remembering the two remaining bodies, his voice abruptly stopped. One of them seemed to be twisted into a pretzel by an invisible force, but traces of a corpse ghost''s appearance were still vaguely discernible. However, the other was purely a monstrous snake? Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, that monstrous snake swallowing its own tail left a very deep impression on Liu Heng. He subconsciously glanced at Zhu Haomiao, seeing that he had no desire to explain, Liu Heng could only suppress his doubts deep in his heart. "Boss, it''s done." After a while, Lao Liu quietly reported back, simultaneously glancing nervously at Zhu Haomiao. "Feed the livestock some essence food, let''s rest well tonight. It''ll be easier once we board the ship tomorrow." "Mm." Lao Liu nodded, and a few brothers started a fire to cook in the temple, tacitly leaving the boss to stand guard in the same place. At the same time, through close observation, Liu Heng''s worried heart completely relaxed, able to basically confirm that the child across was a direct descendant from an elite noble family undergoing world-training. Though there was some disguise, overall it was full of the nobility''s assumptions about the lower class. They probably think wearing patched clothes is already the worst case? Little do they know that true [Hundred-knot Quail Clothes] are pieces of torn and tattered cloth picked from gutters, garbage heaps, or even dung pits and mass graves. Moreover, they don''t dare wash it¡ªin washing, the fabric would unravel and fall apart, so it emitted a nauseating rotten stench from afar! How could it be as clean and tidy as what he''s wearing, though appearing faded and patched? Moreover, a closer look would reveal that the fabric used for his clothes was quite elaborate and intricate, the fine woven warp and weft lines seamlessly integrated, fine as hair yet decidedly substantial. Such high-quality fabric, even a small landlord''s family couldn''t afford! Sighing softly, Liu Heng gazed from the boy''s clothes to his soft and unmarred white hands, and fair skin, criticising inwardly. Ten fingers that have never touched spring water, he barely seems to have been exposed to the sun! Even normal wealthy families would struggle to raise such a tender young lord; only those imperial relatives, attended by groups of servants wherever they go, could... But he hasn''t shaved his head; he must be a noble from overseas. Named Zhu, could he be a descendant of the former dynasty''s royal family? Thinking this, Liu Heng subtly sniffed, catching a faint and barely perceptible fragrance from the boy, his eyes growing more cautious. Though he knew little about perfumes and cosmetics, he could detect an indescribable noble elegance in this scent. Embedded in it is a fragrance that seems exceedingly costly, perhaps worth its weight in gold. Liu Heng dared not imagine how this boy grew up surrounded by countless maidservants and enchanting women! Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. How unfair! Why are some people born into immense wealth, raised in luxury, while I can only wallow in the mud, struggling to earn a meager livelihood all my life?! "Hmm?" As if sensing something, the boy glanced over in surprise, his shadowy gaze waking Liu Heng up, making him bow his head in shock, the absurd jealousy in his mind vanishing without a trace. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao looked at him strangely, slightly frowning. Did that guy just show a health bar? But why did it flash once and then disappear? Could it be a misperception? Falling silent, Zhu Haomiao subconsciously flicked his fingers, and a lavishly appealing gold coin began deftly spinning between his fingers, helping him sort through his thoughts. Seeing the coin in the boy''s hand, Liu Heng''s pupils contracted slightly, his gaze becoming vacant and lost. This time, Zhu Haomiao clearly noticed the imperceptible shadowy black light spreading deeply from within Liu Heng''s eyes. That was the Original Sin¡ª[Greed]! Swish~ As the five fingers clenched, the coin seemed to vanish like magic, and Zhu Haomiao clearly sensed Liu Heng''s initial twitch, about to explode, but suddenly catching himself, his entire body tensing and freezing in place. Only after several seconds did he let out a long breath, gradually relaxing. Profoundly observing his state, Zhu Haomiao nodded with understanding. Not a misperception; this guy''s health bar did flash once... But maybe his rationality, or rather, his [Dao Heart] was robust, immediately dispelling any harmful thoughts towards himself. Therefore... does the [Book of Black] invoke the Original Sin within others? No wonder that "victimized youth" was so furious earlier. Turns out I amplified the [anger] within his Spirit... But... why don''t I have this keen sense in reality? Could it be that the regulations of reality are stricter? Just as the boy pondered with his hand covering his mouth, Liu Heng let out a long exhalation of foul air, apprehensively cupping his fists. "Young master, you''re out here alone, best to keep a low profile..." "Oh, thanks for the reminder." Zhu Haomiao gave Liu Heng a kindly smile. From the previous probing, it was clear he was a rational person, capable of restraining his desires. Chapter 41 - 41: The Burden Is Actually Myself Sensing the goodwill in the young man''s eyes, Liu Heng''s tense heart inexplicably relaxed, and he boldly started to chat with him. Zhu Haomiao responded intermittently, quietly gathering intelligence about this world from his words. At the same time, Liu Heng also realized from their conversation that the person in front of him was definitely one of those noble youths, who grew up pampered and had little worldly knowledge. He had no common sense about this world at all! I absolutely don''t believe that a noble young man like him would go out for training without a few bodyguards! Liu Heng instinctively glanced outward, as if he could feel the piercing gaze from the darkness, threatening to slice him into pieces at any moment if he dared to make a wrong move. Unaware that Liu Heng was waging a mental battle with an invisible force, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up when he heard that their destination was also Shanghai. "You are also going to Shanghai?" Upon hearing this, a thought occurred to Liu Heng. "Mr. Zhu, are you also heading to Shanghai? Why not travel with us, it would be good to have some company?" "Hmm..." After pondering for a moment, and considering his near 100% chance of getting lost without satellite navigation, Zhu Haomiao nodded willingly. "Then I''ll trouble you all." Hearing this, Liu Heng felt a secret joy in his heart. "No trouble, no trouble at all." It''s just taking another person, what''s the hassle? More importantly, forming a good relationship with someone of his stature might one day save their lives with just a single word from him. At this moment, someone handed Liu Heng some food and water, and he instinctively passed it to Zhu Haomiao. "Mr. Zhu, if you don''t mind..." Looking at the dusty pancake, Zhu Haomiao showed hesitation. He initially wanted to refuse, but the hunger in his stomach stopped his words. It was unclear whether it was the energy expended earlier or the attributes buried deep in the flesh and soul needing nutrition to grow, or perhaps both... Zhu Haomiao''s instincts kept urging him; he was very hungry and needed to eat, eat a lot... "Uh... thank you." Seeing the young man take the pancake from his hand, Liu Heng felt a strange sense of delighted surprise. He had clearly noticed the young man''s disdain earlier, assuming he would scoff at food meant for common folk, yet he caringly accepted it, forcing himself to eat; what a kind young man! Watching the young man frown, slowly chewing and swallowing the dry pancake, Liu Heng was touched, quickly offering him a cup of tea. "Mr. Zhu, this biscuit is hard to swallow, you must eat it with water." "Oh, thank you." He had never eaten such a horrible biscuit before; the flour was roughly ground with bran, and the salt used was inferior, leaving a briny taste. Bitter, astringent, and dry; even though it was baked, it was still hard enough to kill someone. Only after a few hours in the Illusion Realm, Zhu Haomiao already missed modern cuisine. Even pre-made food tastes a million times better than this! Taking a sip of coarse tea, he soaked the hard biscuit, chewed it softly, and swallowed, Zhu Haomiao looked at the night sky outside the temple with a bitter face. I need to make a lot of money! I want to eat delicious food! ......... Before dawn the next day, Zhu Haomiao was awakened by the noise, groggily opening his eyes to see that Liu Heng and the others were already packing up, feeding the draught horses and donkeys. "Mr. Zhu, you''re awake? Please have some breakfast." Looking at the dusty pancake before him, Zhu Haomiao once again donned a mask of pain. After painfully finishing breakfast, the young man touched his flat belly, feeling as though he hadn''t eaten anything at all. But he was too embarrassed to ask Liu Heng for more, so he could only endure the growing hunger in his stomach. At the same time, he noticed the aftermath of last night''s "exercise". After using the Extraordinary Power of Anger, his entire body was now sore and weak, hurting with even the slightest movement. His physique was not strong enough to bear the burden of the extraordinary power''s overuse... Clenching his fist, he quickly understood the core issue, instinctively checking his attributes. [God]: 0.7¡ü(1) [Body]: 0.5¡ü(1) How long would it take for this potential to fully manifest? After careful consideration, Zhu Haomiao reached a pessimistic conclusion. In a well-nourished situation, it would take at least two to three months! But from another perspective, in reality, it took him more than ten years for his body to grow to 0.5; if in the Illusion Realm it could double in just two or three months, the growth rate would be ridiculously fast¡­ After some self-consolation, Zhu Haomiao saw that Liu Heng and the others had packed up and, bearing the soreness and pain, he followed along. Soon after they started walking, Liu Heng noticed Zhu Haomiao''s subtle discomfort, quickly offering an olive branch. "Mr. Zhu, if you are not used to walking, you may ride in the cart." "This..." The carts in Liu Heng''s caravan were all for goods, with everyone else walking; he felt it inappropriate to seek special treatment for himself. Seeing his hesitation, Liu Heng smiled calmly. "It''s no issue, you''re not as heavy as we are; the horse won''t feel much burden pulling you, and if you can''t walk, we''d have to stop and rest anyway..." Catching the implication in Liu Heng''s words, Zhu Haomiao could only nod awkwardly. Sitting up straight in illness, he realized that he was the burden! Sitting in the bumpy cart, the group quickly reached the official road, but Zhu Haomiao frowned even deeper. The desolation along the way was unexpected; they traveled several miles without seeing any signs of habitation, only occasionally spotting unburied bones by the road. It should be known that this is in the Shen Zhou Land''s most fertile and prosperous region! In reality, the Yangtze River Delta''s city cluster in a similar location has a population of over 220 million, with not a single piece of land left idle, how could it look like this... barren as far as the eye could see... "Liu Heng, I have heard that Yangzhou Prefecture, Suzhou Prefecture, Songjiang Prefecture are densely populated and prosperous places, why are they so desolate now?" After traveling for a while longer, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but ask. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon hearing this, Liu Heng shook his head bitterly. "Isn''t it because of the Taiping Heavenly... cough, the havoc caused by the Long-haired bandits." "Hmm? Weren''t the Long-haired bandits eradicated nearly twenty years ago?" Zhu Haomiao queried with puzzled frown, recalling the committee''s provided materials, confirming that he was in the 1890s, nearly twenty years after the last remnants of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom were crushed! "Haha, eradicated they were, but during the back and forth battles, the once fertile Yangtze River Basin was turned into a wasteland, with millions upon millions dead..." "So many died, the earth''s resentment and death energy are rampant, who knows how many Demons and Ghosts were bred from that..." "That''s why this rich land has not yet recovered to this day." Chapter 42 - 42: Being Able to Survive is Already Amazing Looking at the overgrown wasteland around, Liu Heng''s eyes were full of heartache. With a little work, this land could be excellent rice fields! Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully, recalling some statistics from the present world. During the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom war, Dai Qing''s population sharply reduced from 400 million to 240 million, a loss of nearly 40% of the population, a full 160 million people! However, this figure is disputed, as the statistics included many who fled and migrated as deaths. Yet even conservatively estimated, the population loss during this period was around 50 million to 100 million, and the bloody brutality was shocking. Needless to say, the total deaths in World War I and World War II combined were less than 100 million people worldwide! Dai Qing, by itself, caused military losses equivalent to those of the Allies and Allies! Of course, during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, those who died directly in the war were only a small portion; the vast majority perished from secondary disasters. Because that period was rife with natural disasters¡ªblizzards, severe droughts, floods, locusts, plagues, earthquakes, one after another. Moreover, the frenzied Taiping Army and Qing Army, mad for victory, not only failed to provide disaster relief but further exploited the common people mercilessly, forcing countless to death... In this magical version of the world, in addition to natural and man-made calamities, supernatural disasters add to the chaos, no wonder it''s become a wasteland where not a chicken crow is heard for a thousand miles. By the way, during this time, the British and French took the opportunity to create two major events, giving Dai Qing a small imperialism shock. Even more magically, amidst such internal and external troubles, Dai Qing somehow survived?! Of course, it didn''t completely survive; in another ten or twenty years, what''s doomed will still perish! Zhu Haomiao sniffed disdainfully, observing along the way, discovering that as they approached the Huai River, the population density finally began to increase. Traveling until the sun was setting in the west, a small town along the Yangtze River appeared on the horizon, prompting a team of people to cheer excitedly. "Master, at Wuming Town we can change to waterway travel, and if quick, reach Shanghai in a day or two." "Hmm." Zhu Haomiao nodded noncommittally, watching this group of men skillfully arrive at the pier, hiring a few porters to load cargo onto the boat. Once settled onboard, the large merchant ship slowly moved downriver, soon leaving the pier behind. When Zhu Haomiao awoke the next day, he found the ship sailing in a wide river. "Mr. Zhu, we''ve entered the Yangtze River. If all goes well, we should reach Shanghai this afternoon." Seeing Zhu Haomiao step onto the deck, Liu Heng hurried over to report. At that moment, Zhu Haomiao clearly felt the ship turning, deviating from the central river channel. "Are we docking?" Hearing the youth''s query, Liu Heng shook his head in confusion, craning his neck to observe the river, identifying the issue. "Not docking, giving way¡ªMaster, look over there." Following Liu Heng''s pointed direction, a towering ship was chugging upstream, black smoke billowing, the conspicuous Union Flag fluttering atop its mast. All riverboats upon seeing it retreated to clear the path. "That''s a Westerner''s ironclad warship; they are accustomed to dominating the Yangtze, often ramming any vessel that obstructs them, and it''s best to stay far away when you see them." "Ram and sink? Such arrogance? Doesn''t anyone control them?" At this, Liu Heng gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Who dares? Who can?" "If you get rammed, they demand compensation, claiming their warship was damaged..." "Last year, a shipping company got rammed, lost a ship, and dozens of men, yet the government ruled that they owed three thousand taels of silver. Where''s the justice in that?" Hearing Liu Heng''s sorrowful yet bitter whisper, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the imperious, passing ironclad warship, its Union Flag flapping haughtily on the mast, feeling an inexplicable sentiment and involuntarily chuckled. Who would have thought, decades later, two world wars would crumble this mighty Sun Never Sets Empire... History truly is fascinating... Perhaps in this magical version of the world, I could expedite her fall, aiding her and the proud Gallia to quickly achieve the disgrace of the Five Permanent powers... Just then, Zhu Haomiao suddenly locked eyes with a figure on the deck of the ironclad warship, a mutual gaze across the distance, both seeing the gleaming metal on each other''s chest. Only one was a noble purple-gold, the other a dull black iron. "Brother, did you notice something?" On the ironclad warship, a beautiful blonde girl sensed her brother''s gaze shift, curiously following his sight, yet found nothing. "I saw a child of the Dragon." "This is within China, isn''t it normal for dragons to be born here?" "He bears the Black Iron Dragon Emblem." Upon hearing this, the blonde girl widened her eyes in disbelief. "Black iron? Amateur level? Has China completed the Permanent Gate? Are they starting to open it to ordinary people? Wasn''t it predicted that international development on this plane wouldn''t begin until after the Ascension Competition?" Listening to his curious sister, the young man cast a deep look at her and shook his head. "He should be a contestant in this year''s competition." "Huh?" The blonde girl glimpsed at her own golden badge on her chest, furrowing her brows tightly. Isn''t it said that China''s contestants are all strong players? How can an amateur be among them? Is it someone using backdoor protection to get gilded? Does such a person deserve to compete on the same stage with us? Sensing his sister''s dissatisfaction, the young man patted her head, hesitated for a long time, and earnestly advised. "Tia, this Ascension Competition is completely different from before. You..." Another silence ensued, the young man feeling heartache for the monsters his sister might face, looked at her with concern. "Stay strong." However, her brother''s counsel baffled Tia, stay strong for what? "Brother, you have such little faith in me? After all, I''m a Master! A 17-year-old Master! I''m in the top tier across Europe!" Tia patted the golden badge on her chest, full of discontent. The young man tousled his sister''s blonde hair, wanting to say more but constrained by confidentiality rules, had to give a subtle warning. "Be wary of those entering the Illusion Realm with a Black Iron Body, some monsters have come in this time... very terrifying monsters..." Listening to her brother''s ghostly whispers left chills down Tia''s spine, yet his next words ignited her anger anew. "In any case, relax, don''t pressure yourself too much, and never doubt yourself. Surviving is an achievement; your goal this time is just to live one day at a time..." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 43 - 43: Cruelty Pa~ Tia swatted away her brother''s hand that was patting her head and shouted defiantly. "What do you mean by ''live one day at a time''?" "I''ll prove that I am one of the best transcendents in this world, the future Human God who will ascend to the Divine Throne!" "I will advance to SP in this world and make it to the finals!" Watching his sister storm off, the young man murmured wistfully to the breeze over the Yangtze River. "My dear sister... you have no idea what you''re about to face..." "The endpoint you dream of is merely the starting point for others, those Immortal Buddha Saint Sons descending from Supreme Heaven, how do you plan to face them?" "There''s even an Abyss Level monster among them!" Thinking of this, the young man felt even more pained, not just for his sister, but for all the [humans] participating in the competition this time. This competition is unfair to them and too cruel. ......... On the other side, passing by an ironclad warship, the boat regained its course, yet Zhu Haomiao gazed thoughtfully at the departing warship. This was the first time he had seen a Purple Gold Badge, does this mean there''s a rank above Gold? sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hmm... my transcendent knowledge is indeed a bit lacking, I should find time to catch up on this subject. While Zhu Haomiao pondered his future plans, the boat flowed down the river and smoothly arrived in Shanghai as the sun passed overhead. In just half a day''s journey, Zhu Haomiao felt as though he had stepped from ancient times into the modern era, no longer seeing old wooden shacks, but many multi-story concrete buildings along the riverbanks. The wide roads were no longer dusty, having been paved with cement, with spacious sidewalks on both sides. Tall trees and rows of street lamps stretched to the horizon, the subtle familiarity made Zhu Haomiao briefly feel as if he had arrived in the Shanghai of the future. If it weren''t for the majority of vehicles on the road being horse-drawn carriages, Zhu Haomiao might have truly felt lost in time. In that instant, Zhu Haomiao suddenly understood what Li Cang meant by [lost]. "Mr. Zhu, we''ve arrived." The boat slowly docked, and Liu Heng respectfully approached Zhu Haomiao, inviting him to disembark. After all the cargo was unloaded, Zhu Haomiao was about to thank and bid farewell to Liu Heng when his stomach suddenly grumbled with unbearable hunger. Having eaten nothing but dry biscuits these past two days, he was almost starving. Realizing that if he didn''t consume enough nutrition soon, his health would be affected, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment before speaking to Liu Heng. "Can you lend me some money?" The sudden audacious request left Liu Heng stunned for a moment, but after a brief hesitation, he nodded immediately. "Of course, please wait a moment, Mr. Zhu." With that, he walked over to his brothers, and after some short discussion, they pooled together a heavy bag of money and brought it over. "Mr. Zhu, our assets are all invested in the cargo, so we only have this thirty taels of silver for emergencies, is it enough?" Receiving the money pouch offered by Liu Heng, Zhu Haomiao weighed it, feeling its heaviness. But since he didn''t know the current purchasing power of a tael of silver, he could only nod vaguely. "It should be enough." With that, he casually conjured a mysterious and lavish gold coin between his fingers like magic and handed it to Liu Heng. Seeing the gold coin presented to him, Liu Heng''s breath hastened momentarily, but he quickly suppressed his greed, stepped back, and waved his hands repeatedly. "I can''t... I can''t accept this, it''s too valuable!" "It''s not for you to keep, just a pledge with you, I''ll redeem it along with interest in a few days." Without further ado, he pressed the gold coin into Liu Heng''s hand, patted his shoulder, and left with a carefree wave of his hand to the others: "Take good care of it." Liu Heng watched the boy''s departing figure, and then looked at the gold coin in his hand, his eyes flickering with regret, conflict, and reluctance before gritting his teeth and nodding firmly. "I''ll take good care of it." However, the distant boy could no longer hear his words, and a few brothers came over, looking at him in confusion. "Big brother, why did you lend him all our emergency money?" "Now that he''s gone, where will we find him?" "Exactly!" ... Listening to his brothers'' complaints, Liu Heng shook his head calmly. "Don''t worry, a person like him would never break a promise." Meanwhile, the famished Zhu Haomiao walked briskly, following the tempting aroma to a tavern. Right at the entrance of the tavern, the corner of the waiter''s eye caught sight of a figure patched all over approaching, ready to drive him away, but turned just in time to meet the boy''s cold and indifferent gaze for a fleeting moment. After a brief surprise, his look of impatience instantly transformed into fawning servility. "Esteemed guest, please come in! Please come in!" Bending almost ninety degrees, the waiter ushered Zhu Haomiao inside, subtly observing him along the way, becoming more astonished the more he looked, his humble head bowing lower and lower. "Sir, would you prefer to sit in the main hall or a private room?" The ravenous boy casually waved his hand: "Just the main hall." "This way, please." Leading the boy to a quiet corner, the waiter remained hunched by his side, not daring to stand straight. "Sir, what would you like to eat?" "Bring one of each of your signature dishes, and make it quick, I''m hungry." "Alright, please wait a moment, I''ll arrange it right away." Watching the waiter disappear around the corner, Zhu Haomiao curiously surveyed his surroundings, his eyes filled with wonder. The bright, transparent floor-to-ceiling windows provided excellent lighting, combined with what would be considered avant-garde decor by today''s standards, the overall atmosphere was both classy and stylish. However, by modern standards, Zhu Haomiao could only compliment it as: retro! On the other side, the waiter who had been bustling out of the kitchen was stopped in his tracks by the shopkeeper. "Why did you bring a beggar in here?" Hearing this, the waiter shivered, nervously glancing in Zhu Haomiao''s direction, relieved only after confirming that the distance made it impossible for him to hear their conversation. He pulled the shopkeeper into a corner and whispered. "Shopkeeper, he''s no beggar, he''s invaluable!" "Oh? How so?" "Just take a closer look, what beggar is as clean and handsome as him? And when he entered, he gave me a look as if he saw a mere insect!" Struggling for words for two seconds, the waiter finally found a suitable description. "That one look gave me goosebumps on the spot, that''s when I realized what ''contempt for all living beings'' means, think about it, what kind of family can raise such a young master?" Chapter 44 - 44: Can food glow? The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, quietly glancing towards the young man, and after a bit of observation, he instantly believed it by eighty percent. Let alone beggars, even average lower-class citizens would inevitably feel intimidated and nervous coming to a high-class place like Xinghua House, sometimes not even knowing where to put their hands and feet. How could there be someone like that young boy, casually looking around with an air of superiority in his eyes? The most crucial thing is, just by sitting there, he exudes the aura of a dragon coiled and tiger crouched. A mere teenager possessing such a presence; just thinking about the family background behind it could make one''s scalp tingle. "Good boy, you''ve got it in you, your eyes are truly sharp!" The shopkeeper patted the shoulder of the server, looking into his eyes, let out a breath of relief mixed with fear, and couldn''t help but secretly complain to himself. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Are these rich brats crazy? Donning disguise of a poor man just for fun? Isn''t this bullying honest people? Luckily, I have these sharp eyes honed over years of receiving guests; otherwise, I wouldn''t even know who I''ve offended. Although our Xinghua House has a quite strong backing, truly offending a great family, the shopkeeper like me is sure to be criticized as looking down on people and perhaps even be pushed out to take the blame! "What did he order? People like him must have very particular tastes, we must serve him well!" "Rest assured, Boss, I personally invited the head chef to take charge, guaranteed satisfaction for him." Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper finally let go of his anxious heart. He was quite confident in the skills of his head chef, who in the past had been a Royal Chef involved in making the Manchu Han Imperial Feast! Back then, unknown was the price paid to have him, by those forces behind! But it is precisely because of him that Xinghua House holds its position today as the top in Shanghai''s dining scene! With him personally cooking, even the pickiest gourmets can be satisfied. On the other side, within less than ten minutes, the dishes for Zhu Haomiao came rushing in like flowing water. Looking at the dazzling array of delicacies before him and the faint visible rainbow spirit light on the dishes, Zhu Haomiao''s eyelids couldn''t help but twitch twice. Do dishes glow? Is this "Cooking Master Boy" from China? No, there''s no Demons and Ghosts in Cooking Master Boy either... While pondering this, the rich and succulent meat aroma wafted into his nose, and a bit of green glint appeared in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, leaving him engulfed in the most primal desire ¨C to devour! Just as he was about to ravenously devour without care for image, the boy suddenly realized and stopped his hasty actions instantly, gradually relaxing his tense muscles, forcibly suppressing the insatiable hunger as he gently picked a piece of braised pork, putting it into his mouth, slowly chewing while silently chanting to himself. The more parched, the more you must control! Control desire, don''t let desire control you! On the other side, watching the boy''s poised, gentlemanly "slow" dining style, the shopkeeper couldn''t help but quietly nod inwardly. Truly a noble young master cultivated from a great family, even a simple meal is filled with noble aura. Knowing that those were dishes cooked by an Imperial Chef, even foreign devils eat like starving ghosts reincarnated, nowhere near his elegant and calm manner! Meanwhile, the server, seeing most of the dishes had been served, came forward with a fawning smile. "Sir, does it suit your taste?" Zhu Haomiao continued chewing slowly, taking several seconds to swallow the food in his mouth, keeping cool despite the disruption, smiled, and nodded. "Very good, I am satisfied." For the first time feeling the boy''s direct gaze, a puzzling wave of fear mixed with delight surged through the server''s heart. In a trance, he felt merely being looked at by the boy was like receiving a monumental favor from heaven, compelling, uncontrollable gratitude and a yearning to repay it surged within him. "Would you like some fine wine to accompany your meal, sir? We have some signature dishes that are best enjoyed with wine." "Oh?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for several seconds and then nodded. "Just a little then." He belonged to the type who can drink but doesn''t usually initiate, but having experienced the luminous dishes, he was also a bit curious about the taste of the wine here. Soon, the server returned with a maid in a qipao, who had fine features, carrying a square tray in her arms, on which sat a sculpted dragon-phoenix wine jug and a set of exquisite small furnace, the sense of ceremony was fully intact. The maid placed a few pieces of dried plum into a small clay pot, and lit the furnace below, then opened the wine jug, pouring in the light yellow, richly aromatic wine. Within a few seconds, the hall was filled with a pleasant, heart-refreshing wine fragrance. "Sir, this is our shop''s finest ten-year aged Floral Carving; it perfectly complements the dishes. Only with a discerning guest like you visiting, would our shopkeeper be willing to share it." Unostentatiously delivering praise for the shopkeeper, thus forming a good connection, the server tactfully retreated, leaving the qipao maid to attend to the dining. Lightly inhaling the rich and fragrant aroma, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the peculiar qipao worn by the maid, secretly pondering. Bad news: patchwork monster! Good news: patched right! Differing from the later-styled qipao, the maid''s dress seemed to blend Western maid attire with modern slim-fit design, prominently highlighting her curves, rendering her entire presence akin to a fine piece of blue-and-white porcelain, standing there with an appreciable aesthetic. Which descender was seriously off track, venturing into the Illusion Realm for fashion design? I can only say, splendid work! Silently giving a thumbs-up to the predecessor in heart, Zhu Haomiao appreciatively observed the maid''s bent-over posture while pouring wine, her curvaceous peach-like rear, and took a gentle sip of the prepared fine wine. The rich and sweet liquid spread across the tongue, with the fragrant aroma rushing into the nostrils, dispelling the steaming and twisting shadowy gloom in the boy''s eyes. Control [Lust], [Dao Heart] +1 Control [Gluttony], [Dao Heart] +1 Unostentatiously suppressing the desires, Zhu Haomiao refocused his attention on the gourmet food, chewing slowly and "elegantly." Beside him, the quietly standing maid let out a breath of relief filled with disappointment yet gratitude; the tangible gaze from behind had made her feel electrified, her skin tingling with exhilaration, yet tinged with a sense of fear. It was as if the person behind not only harbored lust towards her but also... appetite! Gulp~ Swallowed a mouthful of saliva, the maid secretly eyed the handsome, delicate boy, instinctively clenching her legs closer. Though reason told her that this boy was incredibly dangerous, an uncontrollable inner urge compelled her to approach, sacrifice herself as his "food," and be "eaten" by him! Yet, immersed in the gourmet delight, the boy didn''t even notice her, drinking one sip of wine and savoring the food at a slow yet steady rate, eliminating everything on the table. Unexpectedly for Zhu Haomiao, as he ate till he was really full, he instinctively felt, still he had the strength left. Chapter 45 - 45: Little Britain After tentatively continuing to eat, Zhu Haomiao found that the food he consumed did not reverse conceptually into a deficit, but digested into nutrition like normal food. His mind shook, and Zhu Haomiao instantly understood his previous misunderstanding. [Gluttony] is not a specific limit, but rather, it exists in one''s mind! As long as the food is eaten with Self Will, no matter how full he is, it''s all nourishment for personal growth! Conversely, when he is dominated by the desire for [Gluttony] and loses his reason, even being half full would lead to "punishment"! The next second, the information from the [Book of Black] confirmed Zhu Haomiao''s guess. "[Gluttony] +1, [Dao Heart] +1" When over ten full, as [Gluttony] increases, his [Dao Heart] not only doesn''t decrease but synchronously improves! Because he hasn''t lost control! Everything comes from the heart! With enlightened understanding, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help feeling even more delighted. This means [Original Sin] and [Dao Heart] aren''t absolutely oppositional; they can grow together! At least in the Illusion Realm, they can grow together! Having figured it out, Zhu Haomiao smiled brightly and picked up his chopsticks again to attack the last bit of gourmet food. Always observing in secret, the Shopkeeper and the assistant exchanged glances seeing the young man eat contently, putting down their last bit of concern. However, at this moment, a group of well-dressed Westerners came down from the second-floor private room, seemingly encircling two youthful boys in their midst. "Huh?" As soon as they got to the hall, the enticing aroma of wine caught their attention. A middle-aged man at the forefront rolled his eyes, immediately finding the chance to poke at his competitor. "Wilson, didn''t you say you''d treat Lord Luwei Ao to the highest standard dinner?" "How come the wine paired with your meal isn''t as fragrant as the one here in the hall?" Hearing this, Wilson, who was currying favor with the youth, changed his expression, gritting his teeth and glaring at the speaker. Then, he cautiously glanced at the youth, who had a slight frown, secretly steeling himself. "Where''s the manager? Tell your manager to get out here!" Disregarding the so-called gentlemanly etiquette, Wilson shouted fiercely in heavily accented Mandarin. In full view, it was as if a mane-baring lion appeared in the hall, attracting all the diners'' attention and even scaring some timid guests to hurriedly leave. However, Wilson didn''t care about these things; this was his critical moment, and his efforts over the past decade were hinging on this final push. If he could get these two local Earls'' sons to speak a few good words on his behalf, his big deal would be a sure thing. Conversely, if he offended them, a single word from them could confine him to this barbaric and backward country, unable to make progress for life! So... no matter what, he must show his stance! "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m the manager here. My hospitality has been lacking..." Noticing the commotion, the Shopkeeper, who had been hiding in the corner, quickly rushed out, nodding and bowing in apology. However, Wilson paid him no mind, slapping him immediately. Slap~ The Shopkeeper stumbled from the slap, his face instantly swelling with a bright red handprint, but only pausing for a second, he once again put on a fawning smile and leaned the other side of his face toward Wilson. "Honorable Sir..." Before he finished, Wilson slapped him again, this time knocking the Shopkeeper to the ground, unable to rise for quite a while. Wilson didn''t want an apology but wanted the two noble ones to see his attitude. However, a mere manager wasn''t enough to show his "stance"! Subsequently, Wilson looked around and soon identified the source of the wine aroma. Watching the furious-lion-like man charging at the young man, Stevie nudged Luwei Ao and signaled with his lips. "Look, a Dragon''s person." Luwei Ao curled his lips, gloatingly whispering. "Black Iron, don''t know how he got in, can''t even handle the locals with that level, I guess." "Just local affairs, nothing to do with us. Let''s watch the show." Stevie shrugged indifferently, watching Wilson rush up to the young man, snatching the empty wine jar from his table, and lifting a sinister smile. "Honorable Sir, please don''t..." Finally managing to stand up, the Shopkeeper saw the situation and scrambled over, desperately pleading. People on both sides were ones he couldn''t afford to offend; if conflict arose, he might end up suffering the most! However, Wilson smashed the wine jar on the Shopkeeper''s skull, roaring in rage: "Said I wanted the highest dining standard! You deceive me with inferior wine and hide the good wine for this yellow-skinned monkey?!! " Rather than questioning the Shopkeeper, it was more like shouting for the two nobles to hear, letting them know it wasn''t his attitude that was a problem, but the yellow-skinned monkeys deceiving him! But interrupted from his meal by the rude roar, Zhu Haomiao glanced at him impatiently, ready to rise, when suddenly a shadow descended from the second floor, stomping Wilson to the ground. "Whose dog is barking around here? Is anyone going to deal with it?" A sharp-featured young man stood on Wilson, crushing his face underfoot, looking around with his head raised, and soon locked his eyes on a group of pale-faced Westerners not far away. "Darn, I thought it was some fool''s dog, turned out to be from the Little Britain¡¤No Ireland¡¤United Kingdom~" Rudely grinding the fat face underfoot, the young man wore an increasingly unrestrained, mocking, disdainful smile. Meanwhile, even those who opposed Wilson couldn''t feel upbeat; that young man was clearly not stepping on Wilson but smacking their faces! "Damn! Let Wilson go!" Seeing the imminent conflict, the young man paid no heed to the local shouts, looking past all the adults, straight at the two boys surrounded by them, his gaze sweeping over their silver lion badges, and his expression playfully curled up. "Want to start a war?" The blatant threatening gaze made Stevie and Luwei Ao''s faces even more unsightly. Not born locally but unfortunately in overseas colonies, are they going to war with a Dragon''s person? Shanghai is their stronghold! Especially seeing several other spirited youths leaning against the second-floor railing, watching the farce with sneering expressions... sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Noticing the uniformly golden Dragon Emblem on their chests, Stevie and Luwei Ao instantly broke out in a cold sweat. Yet after hesitating for a moment, Luwei Ao still mustered up the courage to step forward. "Wilson misspoke and offended you. Now he has been punished. Could you please let him go?" Chapter 46 - 46: Life Hacks Upon hearing this, the young man chuckled mockingly. "That won''t do. I detest two kinds of people the most in my life: racists and white pigs, and this guy is guilty of both!" As he spoke, he deliberately ground his foot, causing the white man across from him to clench his eyes and tremble with rage. "Stop it!" Stopping the restless natives, Luwei Ao gritted his teeth, shot a deep look at the young man stepping on Wilson, and without hesitation, turned and left. "Let''s go!" Exchanging incredulous glances, a group of white people looked at each other, their morale plummeting. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. They were used to being above others, exerting power in the colonies, and couldn''t understand why the two noblemen from their homeland were so fearful of these primitive yellow-skinned monkeys. They had to understand it was a white supremacist era, and other colored races in their eyes were not even worthy of being regarded as speaking monkeys. Even when showing some respect on the surface, it was only to better divide and enslave them. They considered themselves God''s chosen people, a higher civilization, so why were the two noblemen from their homeland so afraid of the local yellow-skinned monkeys? They even hinted at an inescapable shame and anger! But out of reverence for their identities, these people could only swallow their anger, following behind them with drooping heads as they left. Meanwhile, at their backs, Wilson, who had just come to his senses from the impact, struggled and whimpered, but the boot on his face felt like a mountain pressing down on him, and no matter how he struggled, it was futile. "Mmm..." Watching his companions abandon him, Wilson''s eyes filled with despair, sensing that perhaps he had kicked the iron plate. "Tsk, quite decisive. I was hoping we''d force them to make the first move." The young man watched the enemies leave, pursing his lips in some disappointment. A few teenagers from the second floor came down, shaking their heads and teasing as they heard his murmur. "Two silvers voluntarily starting a fight with five golds? They''re not shrimps..." "An Rong, don''t forget the committee''s slogan: Friendship first, competition second." Hearing this, An Rong sneered, "When has any competition not ended in a brain-bashing fight? You really believe the committee''s slogan?" The speaker shrugged indifferently, "At least in the early stages, we have to put on a show. Eliminating someone on the first day could make us seem like poor sports." Hearing this, An Rong nodded. Every Ascension Competition had an unwritten rule: that early on, everyone focused on adapting and exploring the Illusion Realm rather than fighting. After all, tilling the land itself was a rare opportunity for them. Additionally, the Ascension Competition forbade carrying external [True Object]. If someone could find a powerful [True Object] within the Illusion Realm to arm themselves, it could be a tremendous advantage for the later stages of the competition. In gaming terms, everyone agreed to develop peacefully in the early stages and only engage in group wars later. "So, what about this guy?" Pointing to the man under An Rong''s feet, a girl asked troubledly. "Kill him?" "That wouldn''t be good..." "Cement him and dump him into the Huangpu River, God won''t know, and the devil won''t be any the wiser." "Wait, why are you so skilled at this?" "Huh? All my friends who frequently kill and dispose of bodies know this! Isn''t it just a little life hack?" "Goddammit, a life hack!" "Stay right here; I''m going to call a police officer for you." Hearing these devilish teenagers loudly conspiring on how to handle his corpse, as if seeing him as already dead, made Wilson''s entire body bristle as he desperately struggled and whimpered. At this moment, Zhu Haomiao finished his last bite of food, wiped his mouth with a towel, and slowly stood up. It was only then that the teenagers turned their attention to him, and An Rong couldn''t help but complain. "Brother, you''re too much! We were sticking up for you, and you just ate like nothing happened!" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao offered him a regretful smile. "Thanks, but I can''t waste food because of him, right?" Pointing at the white man under An Rong''s foot, Zhu Haomiao squinted with interest, a dark light flashing deep in his pupils. He could sense that some kind of [shell] protecting the white man had shattered, leaving him psychically exposed under the irradiation of the [Book of Black], and he seemed capable of twisting, altering, and corrupting him... Perhaps sensing Zhu Haomiao''s gaze, An Rong moved his foot off the white man''s face, revealing his eyes full of despair like a lamb to the slaughter. Unconsciously curling his lips, Zhu Haomiao squatted down and kindly helped him up. Meanwhile, a distortion-like whisper, imperceptible to others, softly resonated in Wilson''s mind, wriggling into the depths of his soul like a living creature. "They abandoned you..." "They left you like a dog to the enemy..." "They don''t care whether you live or die..." "Your property, your wife and daughters will be taken by them..." "They betrayed you..." "Be angry!" "Hate them!" "Be greedy!" "Kill them!" "Claim everything they have as your own!" ...... Silently planting the seed of [Original Sin] deep within his psyche, the faintly visible twisted evil light bloomed in Wilson''s vacant eyes, gradually staining his pupils with a vengeful and vicious hue. Helping him straighten the bedraggled and messy collar, gently wiping the footprint off his face, Zhu Haomiao revealed a radiant and encouraging smile, patting him on the back. "It''s okay now, go on." Wilson, with a dazed gaze and a grim face, looked towards the window and decisively turned and left. Seeing this, An Rong raised his hand, wanting to speak but stopping, finally looking at Zhu Haomiao with admiration and helplessness, he sighed. "How do you repay virtue with resentment?" Several companions were equally disapproving but looked at Zhu Haomiao with respect. Though they themselves couldn''t achieve such broad-mindedness to repay virtue with resentment, it didn''t stop them from respecting a person with such high moral standards. Noticing the subtle misunderstanding among them, Zhu Haomiao pressed his lips, then after a moment of silence, revealed a polite yet somewhat awkward smile. I just wanted to test the [Book of Black]''s ability to manipulate hearts/souls... But after this test, Zhu Haomiao had a vague understanding of how the previous two Corpse Ghosts were "consumed" by the [Book of Black]. It wasn''t due to his physical damage, but just like Wilson, their [shell] protecting their souls had shattered, leaving their minds exposed to the radiation of the [Book of Black] without any defense. Faced with such unprotected sinful souls, no matter how strong they were, in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, they were nothing more than a deliciously tender piece of meat. Gently caressing his chest, feeling his heart beating within, Zhu Haomiao grasped the insight. Although unseen and intangible, the [shell] or [Dao Heart] protecting the soul, was far more important than he imagined. ......... Chapter 47 - 47: Cultivation of Both Inner and Outer Self "This is the sign-in point, and the [Yanhuang Armory] is also in this building. You can go in by yourself; I won''t accompany you." An Rong led Zhu Haomiao to a secluded building in the public leased territory, patted him on the shoulder, and bid farewell at the entrance. Watching his carefree departure, Zhu Haomiao felt a sense of boldness and freedom that didn''t match his age¡ªa spirit belonging to the Jianghu. Just like those few companions of his, gathering to drink and laugh, then parting ways without hesitation. But Zhu Haomiao had a feeling that if any of them encountered trouble, the others would undoubtedly risk their lives to help... With eyes full of envy, he watched An Rong disappear at the end of his sight, then turned and entered the building''s entrance. Crossing the threshold, he felt an invisible, resilient membrane blocking him, but it quietly dissipated the moment the Dragon Emblem touched it. Stepping inside, Zhu Haomiao immediately saw a young man holding a tablet that seemed completely out of place with the times. Their eyes met, then shifted to each other''s Dragon Emblem on their chests. "Yo, here to sign in? Come, come!" Seeing the Black Iron color on Zhu Haomiao''s chest, the young man was visibly taken aback, but quickly regained his composure and enthusiastically waved to the young man. Glancing at the tablet in the other''s hand, Zhu Haomiao blinked and strolled over to him. "Hello, please help me check in." "Hold on, let me see. You''re Student Zhu, right?" After closely examining the Dragon Emblem on Zhu Haomiao''s chest, the young man brought the tablet closer, which emitted a crisp notification sound. "How do you know my surname is Zhu?" An Rong knew, his companions knew, and now even this young man, whom he was meeting for the first time, knew! Hearing this naive question, the young man couldn''t help but laugh, pointing to the mysterious script on his chest Dragon Emblem. "Isn''t it written here, Zhu." "This is the character Zhu?" Zhu Haomiao twitched the corner of his mouth and looked down carefully at his Dragon Emblem, unable to see any connection to the character Zhu. So this thing is like a badge, indicating everyone''s surname? Do I need to study both [Extraordinary Heraldry] and ancient script? Why not use simplified characters? Seemingly noticing the young man''s confusion, the young man smiled and explained. "The ancient script is a sacrificial inscription used to communicate with heaven and earth in ancient times. It carries a symbolic and supernatural power, which enhances the Dragon Emblem''s potency to the utmost when inscribed with it." So that''s how it is... Zhu Haomiao nodded. Before long, the young man retrieved the records and couldn''t help curling his lips in amusement. "Zhu Haomiao? From Central Super? Then you''re my junior!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao politely greeted him. "Hello, Senior Brother." "Hello, Junior Brother. Hmm... your name seems to lack some water element in the Five Elements..." It wasn''t the first time someone had teased him about his name, and Zhu Haomiao sighed helplessly. "There is indeed a bit of a lack of water..." Seeing the young man wasn''t very interested in their chat, the young man quickly steered the conversation back on track. "Alright, your goals for the first stage of the competition have been met. From now on, you can move freely, just remember to watch for announcements about the second stage." Suddenly feeling at a loss, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a moment before looking at the young man with clear eyes. "Senior Brother, what is your esteemed surname?" "No need for formalities, my surname is Wang." "Senior Brother Wang, I''ve heard that [Yanhuang Armory] allows for advance spending." "Of course. [Yanhuang Armory] is designed to provide logistics for every Chinese Transcendent, helping them gain a foothold in the Illusion Realm as quickly as possible." "With your privileges, the interest-free [Virtual Points] credit line is 10 points, and the interest-bearing line is 100 points." "With interest? What''s the rate?" "3% annually." "Real year?" Senior Brother Wang rolled his eyes without holding back: "Virtual year." Zhu Haomiao chuckled awkwardly, dismissing the bold ideas in his mind. "You can sit in the adjacent meeting room; I''ll call someone from [Yanhuang Armory] down." Seeing that this was a newbie entering the Illusion Realm for the first time, Senior Brother Wang settled Zhu Haomiao, then walked up to the second floor, opening a room door where several young men and women of similar age were sitting sparsely. "A newbie who knows nothing has arrived; who wants to greet him?" "Newbie? Currently, only public employees or contenders in the Ascension Competition are allowed in. Where''d the newbie come from?" Several idle young men and women exchanged glances, asking curiously. Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Wang shrugged helplessly: "How should I know? A Black Iron contender came in; he knows nothing, so you guys had better give him a detailed briefing." Hearing this, a low-profile young man sitting in the corner raised his eyes and slowly stood up. "Black Iron? No common sense, are you sure?" As he spoke, the previously noisy office instantly quieted, and everyone looked at him unanimously. Not sure why he attracted the person in charge''s attention, Senior Brother Wang hesitated for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "I''m sure." S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Then there''s no need for you all to worry. I''ll entertain him personally." After speaking, the young man took the tablet from Senior Brother Wang''s hand and walked straight out of the office, leaving a group of people looking at each other. "What''s happening? Director Feng personally going to greet someone?" "I don''t know; I haven''t heard about any big shots visiting recently." "Could it be some second-generation young person coming to polish their credentials?" "With Director Feng''s high-minded pride, who could make him lower himself to welcome them?" ...... Meanwhile, in the downstairs meeting room, Zhu Haomiao didn''t wait long before a tall and upright figure pushed open the door and entered. "Hello, I''m Feng Zhaobai, the director of [Yanhuang Armory] in this dimension." Looking at the prestigious and elegant Purple Gold Dragon Emblem on his chest, Zhu Haomiao shook hands with him courteously and greeted him. "Hello, I am Zhu Haomiao." "Student Zhu, I heard you wish to advance spend contribution points?" "Yes, it''s my first time entering the Illusion Realm, and I wish to enhance myself quickly." "Do you have an idea about your path? Martial Arts or Magic?" "Martial Arts." "Focusing on external techniques, internal techniques, or both?" "Uh... both, I guess..." Hearing this, Feng Zhaobai, who was jotting down notes on the tablet, glanced up at him. "I usually advise first-timers to focus on one direction, but since it''s you, Student Zhu, it should be fine..." Feeling there was more behind Feng Zhaobai''s words, but before Zhu Haomiao could figure it out, he continued. "Then I recommend you choose [Hard Qi Skill] for external techniques and [Big Toad Qi] for internal cultivation. These techniques are balanced, broadly applicable, and can seamlessly transition to upper-level skills later." "Hard Qi Skill? Big Toad Qi?" Zhu Haomiao frowned; they sounded like common techniques. Was there no supremely spectacular divine skill? Like [Nine Yang Divine Skill], [Three Parts Return to Primordial Qi], or something... Chapter 48 - 48: Worldly Strict Selection Noticing the young man''s hesitation, Feng Zhaobai patiently explained. "The core of cultivation techniques is actually Extraordinary Power, the embodiment of laws, and it''s not inherently superior or inferior." "On the contrary, if you''ve heard its name in the real world, that indicates its versatility is extremely high, and it can even be somewhat effective in reality." Saying this, Feng Zhaobai suddenly chuckled, raising the corner of his mouth, and patted the young man on the shoulder: "Don''t worry, you can always trust ''Worldly Strict Selection''." "Worldly Strict Selection?" Carefully pondering these words, Zhu Haomiao seemed to grasp something, nodding slowly. "Then I''ll choose Hard Qi Skill and Big Toad Qi." "Alright, what about Fighting Technique? Do you have a preference?" Feng Zhaobai tapped his tablet a couple of times and continued to ask. "Uh... Senior Brother Feng, I saw on the forum that everyone says to practice Basic Force, Eight Forces Combined, and become invincible in the world..." Feng Zhaobai suddenly froze, raising his stiff head to look at him. Observing the young man''s clear yet foolishly expectant eyes, Feng Zhaobai finally confirmed the guy wasn''t joking and painfully rubbed his temples. "Those fools on the forum are just joking around, don''t believe them." "But I see everyone universally recognizes Basic Force as the strongest." Hearing this, Feng Zhaobai frowned with speechless complexity, organizing his words for a long time before patiently explaining. "I just told you, the essence of cultivation techniques is Extraordinary Power, the embodiment of laws, and it''s not inherently superior or inferior." "Basic Force is merely the purest and most extreme, which is why it seems powerful." "Moreover, only experts can truly wield its power." "To use a not-so-apt analogy, you can think of the Eight Basic Forces as the most fundamental programming functions, whereas other Martial Arts fighting techniques are like packaged software!" "Indeed, in the face of different dangers, the individual moves of composite laws may seem stiff and inflexible, but the advantage is that you don''t need to control it painstakingly yourself, just ''release'' it with pre-set programs and muscle memory." As he spoke, Feng Zhaobai gave Zhu Haomiao a deep look. "Only those top masters who truly understand Fighting Techniques, integrate them thoroughly, and return to the basics would attempt to deconstruct, study the most fundamental things, and use them as weapons..." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao bit his lip reluctantly. "I still want to give it a try." Feng Zhaobai, seemingly expecting this, curled his lip and calmly nodded. "Then I''ll select Stacked Waves Strength for you to try practicing." "Alright, thank you, Senior Brother Feng." "You''re welcome. Lastly, is there a movement technique you''re interested in?" "Uh... I''m not really familiar..." "Then I recommend practicing Plum Blossom Step. It''s excellent for small-scale dodging and weaving, and once you master it, your combat effectiveness will noticeably increase." Feng Zhaobai spoke while operating his tablet to finalize the choices. "Hard Qi Skill, Big Toad Qi, Stacked Waves Strength, Plum Blossom Step, a total of four cultivation techniques, each First Level costs 5 Contribution Points, coming to 20 Virtual Points in total." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t sit still. "Only the First Level?" Feng Zhaobai glanced at the greedy young man, explaining helplessly. "Try practicing first, then move forward once you''re in. If the affinity isn''t suitable, switching cultivation techniques won''t be a waste." "Oh, I see..." "Also, good news: the government has a policy allowing all contestants in the Ascension Competition to have interest-free periods during the competition, so your interest-free overdraft limit can go up to 110 points. Do you want anything else? Like... your outfit here." Pointing at Zhu Haomiao''s tattered clothes full of patches, Feng Zhaobai implied with a smile. "Uh... any suggestions, Senior Brother Feng?" "Here, check this set out." Handing over the tablet to Zhu Haomiao, the stylish gear immediately caught the young man''s eyes. "Basic Type¡¤Explorer Suit!" "The innermost layer is a close-fitting nano combat suit, less than a millimeter thick, with excellent impact resistance, reducing most cold weapon damage and offering some protection against thermal weapons." "The outfit outside is primarily woven from Cloud Brocade Heavenly Silkworm Silk, overlapping in 12 layers. Its puncture resistance is equivalent to 2mm metal soft armor, though it''s not very effective at reducing blunt weapon damage." "The boots are made from Titan Alligator Skin, blade-proof, water and fire-resistant, with titanium alloy plates integrated into the toe and sole, preventing traps and enhancing your kicking damage." "Finally, the outermost cape activates an array when you wear the hood, significantly reducing your presence to the point where those with insufficient spiritual power subconsciously ignore you, making it quite handy for stealth or avoiding attention." Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s enthusiastic introduction, Zhu Haomiao felt a strange sense of time and space disorientation. "Senior Brother Feng, is this set a ''True Object''?" "How could it be?" "Then how does it have a nano combat suit? It''s the 19th century now!" "Our Yanhuang Armory master craftsmen made it by hand." Zhu Haomiao: "..." Handmade nano combat suits, what kind of monsters are the master craftsmen at Yanhuang Armory? With a twitch of his lips, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably thought of those eighth-level workers who handcraft satellites, rockets, and missiles. Suddenly, another striking feature representing craftsmanship flashed in Zhu Haomiao''s mind¡ªexpensive! "This equipment is good, but isn''t it probably expensive?" "The whole set is 100 Virtual Points, but I''m authorized to give you a 50% discount, just 50 points." Looking at Feng Zhaobai''s splayed fingers, Zhu Haomiao felt a sense of being induced to overspend by ''family'' in a live stream. No need for 998, no need for 888, time-limited discount for 50 points! Family, what are you waiting for? Click the link! But after thinking for a long time, the young man still gritted his teeth and nodded. "I''ll take it!" "OK, what color do you want? Available stock comes in black, white, green, and purple. If you want a custom color, that''s possible too, but it''ll cost more, though I don''t think it''s necessary. I suggest you simply go with black." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao curiously looked at Feng Zhaobai. "Senior Brother, why directly go with black, is there a reason?" Feng Zhaobai lifted his eyes from the tablet, nodding calmly and solemnly. "Black hides dirt." Zhu Haomiao: "..." What you say makes perfect sense, so black it is! After confirming the purchase of the equipment, Feng Zhaobai looked Zhu Haomiao up and down: "Finally, do you have a weapon that you''re proficient in?" "No, I don''t." "Then let''s not choose one for now. You can come back to pick once you''re certain of your ''Path''." Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Feng Zhaobai tapped the tablet a couple more times, about to finish up, when he suddenly slapped his forehead. "Oh, right, I forgot it''s your first time entering the Illusion Realm; you haven''t cast Divine Power on your Dragon Emblem yet, have you?" "Huh? Divine Power? What Divine Power?" "..." Chapter 49 - 49: Healing Language Feng Zhaobai remained silent for a long time, then sighed wearily, and patiently began explaining from the very basics. "The materials used for the Dragon Emblem are produced in the Nine-layered Heaven Secret Realm, known as [Illusion Gold]." "Once it is refined along with your soul''s bloodline, it can change in texture as your self-existence strength increases. This is professionally termed as [Energy Level Transition]." "Similar to the concept with the same name in chemistry, the microscopic material form of the transitioned [Illusion Gold] changes, and its visible light representation will also change, from the most original black iron color, to bronze, then silver, gold, and finally to purple gold like mine." "The change in the representation of texture actually signifies the reorganization of its internal crystal structure. Each change enables it to withstand one Divine Ability Imprint." "It should be noted that these divine skills are solidified along with your soul''s bloodline and cannot be altered. When you ascend to the upper heavenly position, you can continue to strengthen these divine skills." "So, no matter which heavenly position you ascend to in the future, these five energy level divine skills will stay with you for life, becoming your innate divine abilities. Be cautious in your choices." Speaking up to this point, Feng Zhaobai saw Zhu Haomiao''s face filled with confusion and hesitation, and suddenly smiled warmly. "However, there''s no need to worry about the first divine power level. There''s a universally recognized mandatory choice." "Ah? A mandatory choice?" "[Healing Language], the entry-level simplified version of the Buddhist [Telepathy], known in the West as [Language Proficiency]. Without this divine skill, you can''t take a single step in the All Heavens Illusion Realm." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao slapped his palm with sudden realization. Indeed! These past two days, even Chinese spoken with a thick dialect accent made it difficult for me to understand, let alone venturing to other worlds! Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s face, Feng Zhaobai nodded with satisfaction and extended his hand to him. "Let me use the Dragon Emblem for a moment." "Senior Brother Feng, does casting divine power require contribution points?" "Other countries or forces charge money, but we don''t need that. This is a benefit of China." Receiving the Dragon Emblem handed over by the young man, Feng Zhaobai stood up and left the reception room directly. Not long after, a pretty girl with long hair to her waist walked into the room holding a complete set of equipment, looking at Zhu Haomiao with curiosity. "Student Zhu, here is the equipment you ordered, and there''s a changing room over there." "Thank you." Politely accepting the equipment from her hand, Zhu Haomiao went to the changing room, took off the patched old clothes, and put on the new equipment piece by piece. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A few minutes later, looking at the slender and upright black-clad youth in the mirror, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but nod with satisfaction. The fitted nano combat suit was seamless, lightweight, and comfortable, allowing large movements without the slightest obstruction, to the extent that it made one forget its existence. The black fitted outfit outside wasn''t overly flashy, only gold thread dragon patterns were inlaid at some edges. At first glance, it seemed "plain and unremarkable," but upon careful observation, it revealed a sense of understated luxury. When he fastened the pitch-black cloak and donned the eagle-beak-like hood, Zhu Haomiao instantly recalled a game from his previous life called Assassin''s Creed. I need to find a place to "sneak" in tonight! Playfully moving his limbs, Zhu Haomiao''s brows suddenly furrowed, feeling the sore and stabbing pain in every muscle. "..." Haven''t recovered from the aftermath of fighting the Corpse Ghost the day before yesterday? Clenching his fists, he felt it was not obvious without exerting force, but applying force clearly brought a stabbing sensation. Zhu Haomiao glanced down at himself, pursing his lips in disdain. Such a fragile shell¡­ He put down the hood and stepped out of the changing room. The two figures in the reception room immediately lit up their eyes upon seeing him. Although the youth''s build wasn''t tall and burly, the proportions were very harmonious, giving off a sense of slender and graceful elegance. Plus, there was a subtle but unmistakable aura and oppressive presence about his brows, making one feel like he was a prince about to seek revenge. "Student Zhu, the cultivation technique is fully injected, and the [Healing Language] imprint is completed. Keep it safe." Receiving the Dragon Emblem handed by Feng Zhaobai with both hands, Zhu Haomiao nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Senior Brother Feng." "You''re welcome. You''ve overdrawn 70 contribution points in total, and you still have a 40-point quota. You can come to redeem it anytime you need." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes moved. "Can it be exchanged for silver?" "Uh¡­ it can, but I don''t recommend it. Generally equivalent items in the Illusion Realm don''t hold much significance for us individually. Only large-scale national-level development needs to stockpile a bit, and downward conversion is disadvantageous, since silver can''t be exchanged back for contribution points." Hesitating for a second but recalling the inhumanly bitter and astringent flatbread and the delicious meal at [Xinghua House] from the past few days, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes suddenly became as steadfast as joining the party. Money isn''t everything, but it''s absolutely essential without it! I never want to eat those bitter, astringent, dry, and mouth-stabbing flatbreads again! On the other side, seemingly seeing through Zhu Haomiao''s determination, Feng Zhaobai sighed deeply. "Alright, I''ll lend you a sum of money personally. How much do you need? Would one thousand taels be enough?" "Ah?!" Zhu Haomiao was stunned for a second, eyeing Feng Zhaobai suspiciously, unable to understand why he was so invested in him. Previously, it could be considered official business, but now he was providing help in a personal capacity! After having a meal at what was claimed to be Shanghai''s top restaurant, [Xinghua House], Zhu Haomiao also gained a preliminary understanding of the purchasing power of silver. A feast crafted personally by a Royal Chef, plus a bottle of top-tier ten-year-old Floral Carving wine, altogether didn''t even cost twenty taels of silver. Of course, it''s possible that the shopkeeper gave him a big discount out of respect for An Rong and others, potentially just charging the cost price¡­ No matter how it''s calculated, the purchasing power of silver is quite potent. A strong laborer''s monthly wage is just about one tael of silver, barely enough to support a family. A grown slave is only worth a bit over ten taels; just a few taels could buy someone a leg, an arm, or even a life! In tumultuous times, human life is cheap, and a thousand taels of silver is definitely a fortune that could stir up a storm of bloodshed. This Senior Brother Feng casually lends it to me; could he have some ulterior motive? Oh no! Could it be that he wants me to get a credit card from him?! Or is he some top-tier wealthy dude? Seeing the cautious and puzzled eyes of the youth, Feng Zhaobai immediately read his mind, smiling wryly and spreading his hands. "It''s your first time entering the Illusion Realm, so you might not know that as Descenders, we have ten thousand ways to monetize Extraordinary Power. The simplest and most straightforward is Black Eating Black, or taking down some big bad guys; his money then all becomes yours, not to mention¡­" Feng Zhaobai pointed to the Purple Gold Dragon Emblem on his chest, his eyes filled with pride. Chapter 50 - 50: Innate Black Eater Holy Body "I am an SP-level Transcendent, almost at the pinnacle of the First Layer Heaven energy level. If it weren''t for having to check the seniority for each Layer Heaven, I would''ve ascended to the Second Layer Heaven by now." "At my level, as long as I carefully avoid some Destiny Monsters in this realm, I can pretty much walk unchallenged. Making money is a trivial matter." S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Saying this, Feng Zhaobai patted Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder, earnestly advising. "Don''t worry too much about the currency of this realm. Once your energy level is higher, you''ll find those things within easy reach." Upon hearing Feng Zhaobai''s words, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up as if a new world had opened up to him, his thoughts becoming clear, and he clapped his palms together with realization. Yes! Why should I be bound by the inertia of the real world? The Illusion Realm is like a huge playground for me! As long as I stay true to myself, I can do whatever I want! I feel a moral burden killing good people, but not with bad ones! Black Eating Black... I''m a professional at it! Seeing the captivating gleam slowly bloom in the young man''s eyes, the curve of Feng Zhaobai''s mouth gradually disappeared, inexplicably feeling a bit shocked as if he had made a foolish mistake, releasing something formidable. "Black Eating Black... I understand, thank you Senior Brother Feng!" After speaking, he never mentioned borrowing money again. Zhu Haomiao cheerfully clasped his fist and left, leaving the two people behind, looking at each other in disbelief. "What did he understand?" "I don''t know, but I feel like you might have led him astray." Hearing his companion''s accusation, Feng Zhaobai painfully rubbed his temples. "I told him so much, but he only heard the words Black Eating Black. How is that my fault? I was just giving an example!" "Maybe he has the Innate Black Eating Black Holy Body. It''s as if he had an epiphany in Dragon Field." Hearing the mischievous taunt from his companion, Feng Zhaobai donned a mask of agony, faintly sensing that he had truly released something terrifying. ...... Bang! Bang! Bang! The intense gunfire echoed in the night sky. In a villa within the Public Leased Territory, the last line of resistance was gunned down in a hail of bullets. A group of bandits started finishing off the kneeling, begging servants one by one. Meanwhile, in the study on the second floor, Wilson, holding a smoking revolver, walked menacingly toward the enemy still writhing on the ground. "Wilson! You''re insane!" "No, dear De Oliveira, it was you who betrayed me!" Bang! The revolver''s bullet exploded a third blossom of blood on De Oliveira''s thigh. "Aaaah!!" The intense pain made the pampered white man scream in misery, rolling back and forth on the floor. Yet Wilson seemed intent on torturing him, avoiding his vital spots, each shot hitting his legs. "Oh~ my dear De Oliveira, be a gentleman, even when facing death, don''t be like... um... what''s that Chinese saying... oh, right, a dog with a broken spine!" "Wilson, I was wrong. I shouldn''t have spoken out of turn this afternoon, but I never thought things would escalate to this... for God''s sake..." De Oliveira pleaded tearfully, which only made Wilson''s grin widen maliciously. "Didn''t expect? Didn''t expect that I''d be alive to return?" "Hadn''t you already planned to carve up my business association? To embezzle my assets?" De Oliveira''s pupils shrank heavily, shocked at how Wilson had learned of the secret agreement they had only reached that afternoon. He also couldn''t believe how Wilson, usually so mild-mannered, had decisively launched an attack that very night. If he had waited till tomorrow to rally his own enforcers, he wouldn''t have been caught so off guard! Seeing the unwillingness and regret in De Oliveira''s eyes, Wilson''s smile became more sinister and twisted. "Haha, for the sake of God, I''ll hang your corpse on the rooftop Cross, so all who betrayed me can see their fate!!" As the revolver pressed against his forehead, De Oliveira''s body went rigid with cold sweat streaming down, wanting to snatch the gun from his enemy''s hand, yet his body trembled uncontrollably, not daring to make any move. "No... no... please Wilson, I was wrong, I''m willing to submit to you..." "Go to Hell to repent." Facing Wilson''s malicious grin, De Oliveira''s eyes filled with despair, but just as he thought he was about to die, an eerie darkness flickered in the depths of Wilson''s pupils, his gaze suddenly becoming unfocused. Then, he holstered his gun and stepped aside in disbelief in De Oliveira''s eyes. Yet before De Oliveira could go from shock to joy, a figure cloaked in darkness emerged slowly from the corner of the study, exuding a graceful, evil, and chilling aura as it approached him. Looking up at the dark figure standing before him, and then at Wilson, who retreated to the side like a servant, De Oliveira started to understand. "Wilson! You''re actually collaborating with these heathens! You''ve become a lackey of these inferior people!!" Although the figure''s hooked beak hood obscured most of the face, De Oliveira could tell from the exposed chin that this was a young Asian man. Soon, the figure lowered his hood, revealing a youthful, handsome face. But that childlike face with an innocent smile hid a pair of eerie dark eyes that could send shivers down one''s spine. Just meeting his gaze made De Oliveira tremble uncontrollably, feeling as if something inside him was writhing, struggling to break out. "De... Devil!!" As if seeing through the terrifying creature hidden beneath that harmless facade, De Oliveira let out a woman''s scream, pulling out a golden Cross from his collar. "Lord! I beg you to protect me from evil..." Before he could finish, the Cross in his hand was snatched away by the boy with delight. "Pure gold? Thank you~" Seeing the Magic Artifact he had acquired with a hefty sum being played with fondly by the "Devil," as if the Cross didn''t have Jesus nailed on it, but a naked woman! De Oliveira stood dumbfounded with his mouth agape, mumbling inarticulately, momentarily at a loss for how to react. Devils... aren''t they supposed to be afraid of Crosses? How did he just pocket it? Seeing De Oliveira''s dazed and despairing expression, Zhu Haomiao nodded with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, it''s my first time doing Black Eating Black, not too skilled yet. Do you have anything else of value?" "Huh?" "Gold, silver, banknotes will do, I''m not picky." Seeing the boy seemed quite greedy, De Oliveira rekindled his hope for survival. "I have money! I have a lot of money, as long as you spare me, I''ll give you a thousand, no, ten thousand British Pounds!" Chapter 51 - 51: Holy Light Covering Sin Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao frowned in dissatisfaction and shook his head resentfully. "Foolish! If I kill you, this money is mine too! I am asking if you have any valuables hidden away!" "Ah?" De Oliveira was once again confused, not knowing how to respond. Seeing this, Zhu Haomiao sighed disappointedly and slowly stood up. The shadow of the youth gradually enveloped De Oliveira. Against the backlight, De Oliveira seemed to see a demon baring its grotesque, terrifying tusks. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No! Don''t come any closer!" Extreme fear gripped his spirit, like a startled wild cat. De Oliveira screamed madly, supporting himself with his hands, struggling to crawl backward, while blood gushed from his thigh, trailing a long "red carpet" on the ground. "Relax, a bit of pain is normal." Along with the youth''s words, De Oliveira felt an evil, merciless power descend from nowhere, slowly lifting his body, making him float in the air. As if foreseeing the fate of death, De Oliveira, in the deepest despair, instead found calmness and murmured a prayer piously. "My Lord! Help me catch a glimpse of your holy presence in my life! Help me submit completely to you, despite the rampant evil, let me be bathed in your glory." "Lord! Help me clear and clean up my spiritual life, remove everything incorrect that prevents me from fulfilling your will!" "Lord! Let me stay away from the chaos created by Satan, away from those deeply sinful deeds." "Lord! Help me resist evil! Let Satan lose his strength over me!" Accompanying De Oliveira''s prayers, Zhu Haomiao frowned in disgust, instinctively looked up toward the void, sensing a mysterious energy cascading down like a pillar of light, obstructing the power awakening from the Book of Black. Thump thump~ Zhu Haomiao could distinctly feel the Original Sin pulsating in De Oliveira''s soul, akin to a heartbeat, yet the sacred light cascading from the void tightly restrained and suppressed it, forbidding it from interfering with the physical, twisting reality. "The holy light covering filthy sin, truly hypocritical to the point of being nauseating!" Zhu Haomiao let out a cold laugh, following the guidance of instinct, activating the power of Original Sin of Greed, borrowing a portion of strength from his future self, traversing the timeline. "Greed." An eerie whisper, unheard by others, echoed in his soul. It felt as if something broke out of the shell within his heart, and De Oliveira''s eyes instantly widened, his eyeballs seemed to protrude out of their sockets. A surreal will interfered with the material world, invisible dark light broke through the body, instantaneously obliterating the holy light descending from the void. The power of the Book of Black once again started up slowly. Snap snap~ The robust human body twisted spirally bit by bit, the hard bones couldn''t withstand and fractured, splintering with white shards piercing through muscle and skin, contorting into bizarre and malformed angles. Subsequently, the invisible force gradually intensified, every vertebra of De Oliveira was forcibly snapped, and his body spiraled into a twist, circle upon circle upon circle... akin to a towel soaked with water, being wrung dry, extricating every valuable component. Blood, cerebral fluid, marrow, melted viscera... Even the essence of the symbolic elements was squeezed out, merging together, refined and purified under the power of the Book of Black, condensing into a moment of bewitching bright gold. Clink~ Zhu Haomiao reached out his hand in a beckoning gesture, the gold coins collided producing a melodious and pleasant chime, flew through the air into his palm. Greed +250 Greed: LV.1¡úLV.2 (150/200) God +1 Qi +1 Feeling the surging energy in the void pouring into his Divine Soul, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath in ecstasy. A colonizer full of blood is indeed more nutritionally rich than any Corpse Ghost... Though it can''t be liquidated in the short term, the process of gradually strengthening the foundation is quite addictive. It''s like watching the balance in a bank account grow daily, even if unused temporarily, it brings a sense of clarity and confidence. However, thinking of the balance, Zhu Haomiao looked at the five coins in his palm still stained with blood, watching them absorb the crimson like sponges, becoming even more resplendent, squinting his eyes thoughtfully. This is the manifestation of greed... When harvesting sin, I seem to be able to adjust the ratio between Greed and Gold Coin... Moreover, these gold coins seem to have other wondrous uses... Just as he was pondering, Wilson stepped forward, respectfully handing over a stack of silver notes. "Master, this is all the silver notes I found with him, totaling three thousand seven hundred taels, plus three hundred British Pounds." Receiving the banknotes handed over by Wilson, Zhu Haomiao nodded with satisfaction, suddenly inspired, a magnificent gold coin appeared at his fingertips, with a light flick of the thumb, it described a beautiful parabola in the air, spinning towards Wilson. Bzz bzz bzz~ The gold coin spun rapidly emitting a crisp sound of breaking through the air, Wilson''s dazed and unfocused eyes suddenly shrank, as if a starved beast, he caught the coin flying in front of him with a greedy and excited grasp, overjoyed. Soon after, the coin melted in his palm at a visible speed, turning into a viscous dark liquid like crude oil, permeating little by little into the skin. As the dark essence merged into his soul, the gloomy black light in Wilson''s eyes gradually bloomed, like an addict high on drugs, his expression distortion with rolling eyes, gaze turning more twisted and hollow, more unpredictable. Carefully observing his state, Zhu Haomiao distinctly sensed the bond between himself and Wilson deepened. If before, I was only bewitching him, now I can exercise a certain degree of control over him! What would happen if I continue to bestow the Greed Coin upon him? Could he be completely ''bought off''? Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes with interest, but seeing the four remaining coins in his hand, suppressed the bold thought. "Leave the rest to you." Glancing at the now twisted and deformed corpse, Zhu Haomiao quietly retreated. In Wilson''s pupils, the black light that others couldn''t observe wriggled and rolled, gazing in the direction of the departing youth, he removed his hat and placed it over his chest, lowering his head deeply like a devout believer. "Yes, my lord." Several tens of minutes later, in the best hotel in the Public Leased Territory, inside a luxurious and elegant room, Zhu Haomiao removed his cloak, lying on the sofa gazing out at the scenery. This is the top luxury suite in Shanghai, though it hasn''t yet acquired the flamboyant names of later generations, its service and facilities already have the rudiments of a presidential suite. "Senior Brother Feng was right, as long as you let go of a little moral baseline, making money is indeed simple..." Chapter 52 - 52: [Greed] Krypton Gold Mumbling to himself, Zhu Haomiao pulled out a large stack of silver notes, suddenly feeling a bit disinterested, and shook his head self-deprecatingly. The money in the Illusion Realm is like data in a game; it can''t be taken with you in life or death, just enough to use, one shouldn''t get lost in this illusory satisfaction! After that, the young man focused his consciousness on the Dragon Emblem on his chest, carefully sensing the mysterious information contained within. The knowledge, indescribable in words, flowed into his mind like a babbling stream, and in just over ten minutes, Zhu Haomiao gained a rudimentary understanding of the four cultivation techniques he purchased. With a thought, new information surfaced on the Book of Black. Hard Qi Skill: LV.0 (Beginner) Big Toad Qi: LV.0 (Beginner) Stacked Waves Strength: LV.0 (Beginner) Plum Blossom Step: LV.0 (Beginner) Inner Strength, external skills, fighting technique, movement technique, the most basic cultivation conditions of Chinese Martial Arts are all set, and the rest is to train diligently in the hot summer and cold winter, through constant effort... Unconsciously moving his fingers, a shining gold coin appeared out of nowhere, flipping and dancing at the young man''s fingertips. In the mysterious depths, Zhu Haomiao seemed to feel that the coin in his hand could, besides literally "buying" hearts, also "purchase" something else! After contemplating for a while, Zhu Haomiao looked at the cultivation technique information on the Book of Black with an intuitive insight, slowly squinting his eyes. Can''t be, right... Following his instinct, the young man''s thumb gently flicked, and a streak of golden light traced a graceful arc, transforming from solid to ethereal mid-air, fading and disappearing. Buzz~ The profound and mysterious authority twisted the timeline, forcibly turning the ethereal "fruit" into reality. The next second, the Big Toad Qi on the Book of Black burst into dazzling golden light, and a massive flood of information poured into his mind, as if Zhu Haomiao had practiced tirelessly for months, suddenly achieving enlightenment and making a breakthrough. Big Toad Qi: LV.0 (Beginner) ¡ú LV.1 (Entry-level) Essence +1 He jumped up from the sofa in a flash, feeling the abundant energy settling into his body out of thin air, his eyes widened with joy. Clenching his fist, according to his "months of diligent practice" experience, the young man took a slow and deep breath. Hiss~ The breath lasted for nearly twenty seconds, Zhu Haomiao''s chest and abdomen swelled high, and as he held his breath, moving the Inner Qi, his five viscera and six internal organs undulated, emitting a faint croaking sound like a toad''s call in summer. After a few minutes, the cold, damp, dry, hot, pandemic, and poisonous energies that were usually undetectable were eliminated, expelled as Zhu Haomiao slowly exhaled a foul breath, ridding his body of impurities. Whoo~ Exhaling lasted for another twenty seconds, and the breath expelled was so foul that even Zhu Haomiao himself couldn''t stand it and hurriedly opened a window for ventilation. Indeed... there are still some drawbacks to shortcuts... Breathing in the fresh night air, Zhu Haomiao sighed regretfully. For instance, the basic internal cleansing process that was supposed to be gradually completed over months, he skipped entirely, so he still needs to spend time making up for that deficit in the future. Another point is that the attributes that should have gradually grown over several months were forcibly compressed into an instant gain, seemingly violating the most basic physical laws, and can only settle deep within the spirit and body, awaiting time to be digested and absorbed. Through this experiment, Zhu Haomiao also realized that the attributes gained when Original Sin upgrades must follow the underlying laws of this dimension, just like cultivation technique upgrades, so they cannot be instantly "realized." But by extension, if the underlying laws of the Illusion Realm are not stringent or more relaxed, could these powerful energies be bestowed upon him simultaneously at the moment of upgrade? After contemplating for a few seconds, Zhu Haomiao shook his head, burying these speculations deep in his heart, his gaze passionately fixed on the remaining three greed coins. Reaching out with a virtual grasp, the Book of Black instantly materialized solidly in his hand, opening automatically. With one hand poised above the open pages, Zhu Haomiao gently loosened his fingers, and the three greed coins gradually dropped from his palm, like pebbles falling into a lake, sinking into the pages with radiant golden light, causing the Book of Black''s pages to ripple with faint principle ripples. The next moment, the remaining three cultivation techniques emitted brilliant golden light, completing the "fruit" that would usually take months to achieve, in a manner beyond Zhu Haomiao''s comprehension. Hard Qi Skill: LV.0 (Beginner) ¡ú LV.1 (Entry-level) Body +1 Stacked Waves Strength: LV.0 (Beginner) ¡ú LV.1 (Entry-level) Strength +1 Plum Blossom Step: LV.0 (Beginner) ¡ú LV.1 (Entry-level) Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dexterity +1 His brain, overwhelmed by the massive, intricate "experience," was somewhat sluggish. It took Zhu Haomiao several minutes to sort out these "virtual memories" that appeared out of thin air. Like a child who got a new toy, Zhu Haomiao slowly squatted down and sprang out like a spring. Just as he was about to collide with the dining table, the young man''s toe lightly tapped the ground, and his whole body glided softly past the table, without a trace of mundane aura. Like a black swimming fish, Zhu Haomiao darted back and forth in the furniture-filled living room, maintaining a high speed throughout, yet strangely not touching any furniture. After a few minutes, Zhu Haomiao suddenly stood still, nodding with satisfaction. As expected of Senior Brother Feng''s highly recommended movement technique, it''s indeed practical for quick maneuvering in small spaces. With Plum Blossom Step, three or five average people couldn''t surround me, and I could completely depend on movement technique to position myself, taking down each enemy one by one, significantly enhancing my combat power in close quarters combat. After testing Plum Blossom Step, Zhu Haomiao picked up the fruit knife on the table, slowly took a deep breath, and held it in. Whoo~ Inner Qi surged, permeating the whole body, and every slender muscle suddenly tightened. The originally slender and frail young man inexplicably gained an aura of ruggedness. Raising the fruit knife, he lightly slashed across the back of his hand. The sharp blade left a faint white mark on the skin, but the sensation on the hand felt like cutting through thick, tough old cowhide. Pausing for a few seconds, Zhu Haomiao slashed again, this time using skillful force, adding some strength, and eventually easily breaking the skin, leaving a blood-seeping red line. It seems that the entry-level Hard Qi Skill has limited protective power against sharp weapons, and to completely disregard cold weapons, it would likely require reaching a very advanced level. Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes thoughtfully, but on second thought, he shook his head. The spear and shield have a spiraling progression; when your "shield" becomes robust, others will naturally find ways to penetrate it. For instance, forging more powerful divine weapons, or utilizing the basic forces designed to counter Horizontal Refinement, such as Armor Breaking Power and Penetration Force! And in the Illusion Realm, which possesses a certain level of technological advancement, specially made armor-piercing bullets and anti-tank cannons are innate nemeses to Transcendent Martial Artists, with piercing strength enough to penetrate a meter-thick homogeneous steel plate, striking with silence. Chapter 53 - 53: Transformation of [Sloth] Of course, a normal martial artist wouldn''t foolishly stand still to let you hit, but the natives in the Illusion Realm aren''t mindless NPCs either; they develop advanced tactical systems. For example, they could have snipers ambush you, deploy a massive wave of machine guns to drown you in an impenetrable metal flood, or even indiscriminately bombard you with heavy artillery... Anyway, the number of descenders who die at the hands of Illusion Realm natives each year could circle the Earth hand in hand. Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but chuckle and shake his head. [Hard Qi Skill] fundamentally enhances one''s resistance to blows, it''s not like it''s called bare armor for chopping practice... Relying solely on cultivation techniques to ignore an enemy''s attacks is a bit of [Pride] on my part... I''d better test my resistance to blows... Clearing his thoughts, Zhu Haomiao centered his energy, the inner Qi in his Dantian gradually surged and rolled, flowing like waves through the network of meridians in his body. [Stacked Waves Strength]! Thud~ Punching his chest forcefully, there was a muffled echo in his chest cavity, but Zhu Haomiao didn''t feel much pain, only some tightness in his chest. It felt as if there was a thick protective pad on his chest, where the originally concentrated destructive force was evenly dispersed across the entire chest cavity. Right, the nano combat suit has a function to dissipate impact, and with [Hard Qi Skill] layered on top, it made taking this punch so easy. Thoughts racing, Zhu Haomiao''s hands didn''t stop, he continued to drive the [Stacked Waves Strength], punching his chest one blow after another. The inner Qi stacked and surged in his meridians, originally thin and weak muscles were gradually swelling and inflating, Zhu Haomiao could clearly feel his strength slowly but steadily increasing, even his physique had subtly become sturdier. When the [Stacked Waves Strength] was pushed to its extreme, Zhu Haomiao distinctly felt his limit strength increase by nearly twenty percent. Taking a deep breath, the youth mobilized all his strength and punched his chest forcefully. Thud! It was like a heavy hammer pounding on a great drum, a dull sound exploded in the room, and even with the dispersing damage of the nano combat suit, Zhu Haomiao still knocked the wind out of himself with his punch. Hack, hack, hack... It took him a long time coughing on the sofa to catch his breath, while he sorted out the disordered inner breath in his body and contemplated carefully. Just the [Stacked Waves Strength] of the First Layer Heaven could increase the limit strength by nearly twenty percent, if I unleashed the Extraordinary Power of [anger] at the same time... No! The Extraordinary Power of [anger] would put extreme pressure on my body, if amplified with [Stacked Waves Strength], my meridians and flesh might collapse before the enemy does. Unless... my physique becomes strong enough to withstand the pressure of the two forces combined... With this in mind, Zhu Haomiao glanced at his Six-dimensional Attributes in the [Book of Black]. [Physique]: 0.5¡ü(2) If I fully digest these two points of [Physique] attribute, my physique would have grown fourfold; by then, maybe I could try to combine [anger] and [Stacked Waves Strength]. Before that, unless I''m in a desperate situation and have to go all out, it''s best to avoid using such "forbidden moves". There''s another point... Clenching his fists, feeling that in just a few minutes his pitiable inner Qi had been consumed by more than half, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but purse his lips. All four cultivation techniques, regardless of which one, consume [Qi] when activated, it''s just a matter of more or less. With my current reserve of inner Qi and stamina, full force combat could last only a few dozen seconds! Even worse, these cultivation techniques are all just at the First Layer, once upgraded their consumption of [Qi] might increase exponentially. If I want to have enviable "endurance", the growth rate of [Qi] must surpass the growth rate of the cultivation techniques! But that''s a paradox, because I can "Krypton Gold" to upgrade my techniques! Sigh... This is really too difficult for me... With a sigh full of Versailles, Zhu Haomiao wanted to continue testing the characteristics of the techniques when suddenly a wave of deep fatigue surged through his Divine Soul. His gaze froze, Zhu Haomiao concentrated and immediately came to an understanding. Borrowing future power during the annihilation of the Holy Light... Now the "future" self has to repay the debt... Hastily entering the bedroom, not even having time to undress, the youth collapsed onto the bed and instantly fell into a dream. When he opened his eyes again, the darkness outside the window had turned into a bright sunny day, and a gut-wrenching hunger attacked him. Zhu Haomiao could even hear the sound of gastric acid bubbling in his stomach, and felt as if his intestines and stomach were digesting himself! Bewildered, he sat up from the bed, clutching his rumbling stomach, and only after a few seconds did he wake up from the chaos. He had eaten such a large meal yesterday afternoon, how could he be so hungry again so quickly? While he was in a daze, a reminder came from within the [Book of Black]. [Sloth] +10 No! How long have I been sleeping?! Vaguely realizing he had been in a deep sleep for more than a day, Zhu Haomiao got out of bed, quickly washed up, donned his cloak, and headed out. However, as soon as he opened the door, he saw the anxiously waiting hotel suite butler. "Thank God, Mr. Zhu, you''re finally out!" Seeing the butler cross himself with tears glistening in his eyes, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but twitch his lips. Are you really that afraid I''d die in there? Well, a room where someone has died is certainly quite ominous... Suppressing the distracting thoughts in his mind, Zhu Haomiao calmly asked. "How many days have I slept?" "You''ve been in there for a full five days! You didn''t order any food or services, and the door was locked from the inside! If you hadn''t instructed us beforehand not to disturb you, we would have broken the door down!" Five days?! Ignoring the butler''s agitation, Zhu Haomiao activated his Divine Thought, and the information from the [Book of Black] instantly projected in front of him. [Zhu Haomiao] Bloodline: Mortal Rank: Primordial Sin Virtual Life: 89 Dao Heart: LV.1 (95/100) [God]: 1.2¡ü(1.5) [Dexterity]: 1.1¡ü(0.5) [Strength]: 1.0¡ü(0.5) [Essence]: 0.9¡ü(0.5) [Qi]: 0.9¡ü(0.5) Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Physique]: 1.0¡ü(1.5) The average increase of the Six-dimensional Attributes was 0.5, this growth rate was far beyond what I had originally estimated! A flash of delight crossed his eyes, and the next second Zhu Haomiao realized, this was the result of some kind of Authority interference! Immediately, a word floated in his mind¡ª[Sloth]! The Extraordinary Power of [Sloth] not only cures insomnia but also accelerates growth! But my level of [Sloth] in the Illusion Realm is still at LV.0! Right! The Extraordinary Power of Original Sin can also be brought into reality! But then, why didn''t I fall into a deep sleep the night I killed two Corpse Ghosts? At that time, I already had precipitated attributes in my body... Could it be some conditions weren''t met? Thoughts raced through his mind, and Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but touch his growling belly. Chapter 54 - 54: The hibernating snake If it weren''t for the nutrients in the four-dimensional stomach being depleted, I might still be able to continue my deep sleep, until all the attributes settled deep within the spirit and body are thoroughly digested, completing the transformation. So... the hidden condition for rapid growth through hibernation is devouring enough food?! Inexplicably, the young man thought of a hibernating snake. Holding his lower abdomen, Zhu Haomiao bit his lip with a strange expression, looking at his temporary butler. "Help me check out and arrange for a carriage to take me to [Xinghua House]." The excited butler gradually calmed down, bowing respectfully. "As you wish, sir." Several minutes later, a luxurious carriage halted in front of [Xinghua House], and a boy cloaked in pure black leapt off, walking unhurriedly into the door. "Mr. Zhu! You''ve arrived, please come in! Please come in!" The greeter, seeing clearly who it was, shivered and nodded quickly, ushering the young man into the shop with a bow. Following instinctively, Zhu Haomiao arrived at a private room on the second floor. It wasn''t until he sat down did he realize: "Actually, sitting in the hall would have been fine." Upon hearing this, the greeter shuddered as if hearing something terrifying and forced a smile: "How could a distinguished guest like you sit in the hall?" "The private room has a better environment and also avoids those inattentive folks from disturbing your dining pleasure, right?" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. The conflict last time, if solely relying on himself, could have escalated into a mess. Although he isn''t afraid, less trouble is better than more trouble... On the other end, the greeter, seeing no response from the boy, smoothly changed the subject. "Mr. Zhu, what would you like to eat? Our house has procured several Mongolian tribute sheep, cooked with a milky aroma, very fresh~" Gurgle gurgle~ Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s stomach growled voraciously, immediately grabbing his attention. "Alright, please slaughter two for me, have the master chef prepare them." "Huh? Two? All of it?" "Mm." Seeing the boy nod calmly, the greeter hesitated but eventually fawningly complied. "Please wait a moment, I''ll arrange it right away." In less than half an hour, the freshly slaughtered lambs turned into a full lamb feast, delivered one after another before Zhu Haomiao. Gaz?ng at the dishes glimmering with spirit light, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils emitted a chilling green light, the already restless hunger roaring like a beast deep within him. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eat! Eat! Eat! The urge to devour surged like tidal waves, battering the mind, but the [Dao Heart] acted like a dam, firmly holding back the desire. I won''t give, you can''t snatch! The fragrance of meat lingered at his nose, the green in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes flickering intensely, his hand on the table gripped so tightly it turned white, nails digging deep into his palm, yet he remained motionless. Mastering [Gluttony], [Dao Heart] +1 Like taming a hawk, only when the raging hunger was completely subdued did Zhu Haomiao reveal a satisfied smile, picking up the chopsticks beside him. The milky fragrant lamb exploded with juicy flavor in the mouth, the young man, chewing slowly, couldn''t help but close his eyes in intoxication, immersed in this unparalleled delightful experience. No wonder so many indulge in the Illusion Realm, the rule-bound real world can hardly offer such high-level cuisine! Not to mention the All Heavens Illusion Realm with its unimaginable supernatural pleasures! At the same time, Zhu Haomiao finally confirmed, the glowing dishes crafted by the Imperial Chef boasted significantly higher nutritional value than ordinary food. On a supernatural level, a bite of such a dish provided more nutrition than eating a hundred pancakes! However, human stomach capacity is limited, even the four-dimensional stomach provided by [Gluttony] has its limits; once filled with large quantities of low nutritional value "junk," I would have to waste substantial time digesting them, slowing down my growth rhythm. Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but sigh. It seems I''m destined to survive on "soft meals" in the future. While thoughts swirled in his mind, the boy''s hands didn''t pause for a moment, dish after dish vanished before him, empty plates replaced by new delicacies. By the end, even the serving maid couldn''t help but look on in fright, secretly observing his unchanging waistline. Sheep offal, sheep blood, lamb, sheep brain, even marrow was artfully crafted into delicious dishes by the skillful Imperial Chef. The edible parts of the two sheep alone could easily weigh seventy to eighty pounds, combined with side dishes, a full hundred pounds of food went into his stomach, yet his body showed no change whatsoever?! Subconsciously, the maid recalled the legend of transforming demons, goosebumps rising all over. However, Zhu Haomiao, right beside her, failed to notice her fear, slowly finishing the last bite of lamb, sighing in contentment. [Gluttony] +5, [Dao Heart] +1 In the Illusion Realm, where desires seemed illusively ethereal, I could actually master [Gluttony] while savoring delicacies, enabling Original Sin and Dao Heart to grow simultaneously. This is almost impossible to achieve in the real world. After sating his appetite, Zhu Haomiao smacked his lips, savoring the lingering taste on his tongue, eventually settling the bill and leaving. The meal cost nearly five years'' salary for a "local mortal," yet Zhu Haomiao felt no pain at all. Having tasted the sweet fruit of Black Eating Black, the fat, pig-faced villains now appeared as ATMs, just waiting for him to harvest. There are so many bad people in this world, there''s no way to run out of money, really can''t spend it all! "Bad guys stock up on grain, I stock up on guns, bad guys are my granary~" Humming an out-of-tune ditty, Zhu Haomiao leisurely strolled through Shanghai''s Houtan, across much of the Public Leased Territory, familiarly arriving before a towering building. Stepping through the invisible barrier, the still, deserted hall held only Senior Brother Wang, idly playing with a tablet. "Yo, Little Zhu''s here?" Greeting from afar, Senior Brother Wang put down the tablet, sitting upright. "Anything you need?" "Hello, Senior Brother Wang, I want to trade something at the Yanhuang Armory." "Oh, hold on, I''ll go get Senior Brother Feng." Recalling the head''s previous instructions, to promptly notify him when this boy arrived, Senior Brother Wang quickly rose and went upstairs. In less than a minute, Feng Zhaobai descended unhurriedly, his brow subtly twitching at the sight of Zhu Haomiao. "Senior Brother Feng." "Junior Brother Zhu." After exchanging greetings, they headed together into an adjacent meeting room. "Junior Brother Zhu, came by so soon again, have you decided on the main weapon to cultivate?" "No, I''m here to exchange for the follow-up cultivation technique." "Hmm?" Feng Zhaobai''s eyes shifted, quickly furrowing his brow again. "As mentioned before, waiting to exchange the follow-up cultivation technique until you''ve reached entry-level isn''t too late..." Chapter 55 - 55: I, Zhu Haomiao, Did Not Cheat! Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Haomiao calmly interrupted him. "Senior Brother, I''ve reached the entry-level for all four cultivation techniques." "By then, maybe I''ll switch to something with a better affinity... Wait, what did you say?" Feng Zhaobai, who was about to launch into a long-winded lecture, felt a jolt in his heart and stared solemnly at Zhu Haomiao. "I''ve reached the entry-level for all four cultivation techniques." Zhu Haomiao looked straight into Feng Zhaobai''s eyes and repeated calmly, clearly noticing the uncontrollable twitch at the corners of Feng''s eyes. "How did you reach entry-level?!!" By cheating and using Krypton Gold to reach entry-level... Facing Feng Zhaobai''s doubts, Zhu Haomiao secretly grumbled in his heart, but seriously spouted nonsense. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I just practiced and practiced until I got it." After saying that, he looked at Feng Zhaobai with a clear and innocent gaze, causing his blood pressure to rise with that one sentence. "Senior Brother, is this difficult?" Looking at the young man''s "sincere" eyes, Feng Zhaobai took a deep breath and managed to force a smile. "Reaching entry-level isn''t hard, but achieving entry-level for all four techniques in such a short time is extremely rare in human history..." "Oh? How long does it take others to reach entry-level?" Zhu Haomiao knew his own situation well; he reached entry-level using a ''Krypton Gold'' cheat, and based on the virtual memories, it would probably take him several months for each technique! Four techniques together would take over a year, and counting his vacations to rest in reality, it would actually take him two virtual years to achieve what he has now. Feng Zhaobai quickly regained composure, deliberated for a moment, then began to speak. "First, it depends on the affinity with the technique, and second, it depends on the practitioner''s aptitude, or Heavenly Destiny." "Some people are naturally suited for certain techniques. Even if they have a [Mortal Destiny], their cultivation is twice as effective with half the effort, progressing rapidly." "Or some are like us with a [God''s Destiny]; born with intelligence, able to infer ten things from one, mastering everything swiftly regardless of the technique." "Generally speaking, for the same cultivation technique, the entry-level cultivation period for a [Mortal Destiny] is about 3 to 4 months, [Heroic Destiny] is about 1 month, while [God''s Destiny] only takes 10 days!" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s brow twitched slightly. According to virtual memory experience, it takes him 3 to 4 months to cultivate a single technique... Realizing his true aptitude without the [Book of Black], Zhu Haomiao looked out the window with a melancholy gaze. Oh no! I am the trash!?? "And the most remarkable is someone like you, Junior Brother Zhu, with extremely high affinity for the techniques and a [God''s Destiny], thus able to reach entry-level for all four in just a few days." "Emmmm..." Zhu Haomiao was at a loss for words, but after a long pause, he solemnly nodded. Ah! Yes! Yes! Yes! I am exactly like what you described! I, Zhu Haomiao, did not cheat! On the other hand, after a moment of reflection, Feng Zhaobai decisively extended his hand towards the young man. "Could you please hand me your Dragon Emblem? Oh, do you also want to record the second layer of all four techniques?" "Yes." "Each second layer for these four techniques costs 10 virtual points, and you just happen to have 40 points left. This will max out your overdraft limit. Are you sure?" Taking Zhu Haomiao''s Dragon Emblem, Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but ask again. "I''m sure." Zhu Haomiao nodded without hesitation. Using the cheat with Krypton Gold, "cultivating" the techniques is the fastest way for him to enhance his power! It''s also an overall enhancement with almost no weaknesses! Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai did not hesitate and proceeded out of the meeting room. It took under ten minutes to complete the recording. Retrieving his Dragon Emblem, connected by bloodline, Zhu Haomiao quickly imprinted the information into his mind. Yet, before he could rejoice, he immediately thought of the cost of the next-layer techniques and preemptively asked. "Senior Brother, how many contribution points are needed for the third layer of these techniques?" "For these common techniques, the third layer uniformly requires 20 points." 20 points? That means 80 points for all four! Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao frowned, calculating how to quickly obtain contribution points. While others have limited time and energy, greedy for more than they can handle, they typically train only a few techniques with good affinity, but since he can "Krypton Gold" cultivate, the more techniques the merrier for him. "Senior Brother, are there any tasks suitable for me in the [Yanhuang Armory]?" Feng Zhaobai hesitated for a moment, looking at the Black Iron Badge on the young man''s chest, was about to speak but then sighed and shook his head. "There aren''t any." "Huh? Why not? I heard the [Yanhuang Armory] has all sorts of tasks? Ranging from trivial, like finding people or things, to saving the world..." Seeing the young man''s puzzled eyes, Feng Zhaobai explained leisurely. "Those are developed Illusion Realms with many descenders settled in. Our current Illusion Realm hasn''t even completed a permanent Gate and is still in the pioneer stage, so naturally, there aren''t many tasks." After a pause, Feng Zhaobai patted the young man''s shoulder earnestly. "Even if there were tasks now, they would be quite dangerous, requiring at least expert level to qualify. You... should just focus on developing for a while..." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao became anxious. Others can develop while steadily accumulating contributions, but he can upgrade in just one second. Without contribution points, how can he survive? "Expert level? What expert level?" I''m excellent at black eating black, definitely an expert! Hearing the young man''s unbelievable question, Feng Zhaobai widened his eyes, but soon relaxed with a sigh. Ridiculous, but knowing it''s you, also seems normal... You monsters indeed have no common sense... After organizing his words for a moment, Feng Zhaobai patiently explained. "As I told you before, the badges made of [Illusion Gold] represent the energy level of the wearer. Do you remember?" "Yes, I remember." "So, the Security Council created a rough ranking system based on this feature for transcendents, which we''re familiar with: Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Purple Gold." "The five energy levels correspond to five ranks, namely Black Iron¡¤Amateur Level, with the international standard symbol N for nonprofessional; during supernatural disasters, transcendents of this level are generally not allowed in abnormal areas¡ªexcept in emergencies where they might take on low-risk tasks such as logistics, transport, support, and medical aid." "Next is Bronze¡¤Professional Level, with the international standard symbol P for professional; during supernatural disasters, transcendents of this level are allowed in abnormal zones to take on medium-risk tasks such as remote scouting and trap disposal." "Silver¡¤Expert Level, with the international standard symbol E for expert; transcendents of this level can undertake high-risk tasks during a supernatural disaster, such as close combat and fighting." Chapter 56 - 56: Dominance "Next up is the Gold¡¤Master Level, internationally recognized as M, master. Transcendents at this energy level are the backbone in resisting supernatural disasters. They generally lead quick response teams composed of multiple Silver ranks to confront the most dangerous invasive species directly." "And finally..." As he spoke, Feng Zhaobai puffed out his chest, pointing to the Purple Gold Dragon Emblem on his chest. "Purple Gold, internationally recognized as SP, Super Power, which directly translates to super power. Of course, we prefer to call it dominance level!" "At this energy level, they''re generally key managers of an Illusion Realm in peacetime and are responsible for confronting enemy dominance during wartime. In the event of a major supernatural disaster, they are stabilizers, suppressing the entire abnormal area..." Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s words, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the Black Iron Dragon Emblem on his chest, finally gaining a clear understanding of his own level of strength. I''m screwed! I''m really just a bottom-tier little weakling! Seeing the shock in the young man''s eyes, Feng Zhaobai''s gaze became complex. After a long time, he softly consoled him. "Junior Brother Zhu, with your potential, I believe you will soon reach the pinnacle of the First Layer Heaven and become a Purple Gold Dominance like me. There''s no need for you to be so anxious." However, upon hearing these words, Zhu Haomiao felt like he had swallowed a bitter gourd and couldn''t express it. I have a lousy aptitude. If it weren''t for cheating with Krypton Gold, I''d never catch up to you all with your accursed God''s Destiny! "Additionally, Junior Brother Zhu, you''ve advanced too quickly with your cultivation technique. Your spirit and body haven''t had time to grow. There''s likely a huge reservoir of potential within you that hasn''t been tapped yet. Plus, the growth coefficient for God''s Destiny is several times that of Mortal Destiny, which means your potential is even larger, enough to keep you busy for a long time..." Sensing the key phrases, Zhu Haomiao twitched his eyebrows, feeling a sense of doom. "Brother, what is this growth coefficient?" Accustomed to his ignorance, Feng Zhaobai calmly explained. "It''s the rate of enhancement for the same benefit, such as breakthroughs in cultivation techniques, consuming Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, or even natural growth, comparing God''s Destiny to Mortal Destiny." "Every country worldwide has done extensive comparative experiments. After removing all variables, with Mortal Destiny''s growth set as 1 basic unit, God''s Destiny is several times, even ten times that!" "The ratio between the two is the growth coefficient." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes shrank sharply. I''m screwed! I''ve become a unit of measurement! "Of course, ''growth coefficient'' is the modern, gentle euphemism. In ancient times, it had a harsher name ¡ª Heavenly difference." Feng Zhaobai sighed deeply. "Heavenly difference, an insurmountable chasm. That must have been the sense of utter despair that ancient Mortal Destiny cultivators felt facing God''s Destiny..." The echo of Feng Zhaobai''s sigh lingered in Zhu Haomiao''s ears, his heart pounding. Indeed! Mortals take months to begin cultivating a technique, while God''s Destiny needs only 10 days! With growth coefficients several or even dozens of times higher, the efficiency gap in cultivation is a hundredfold, considering everything! Not to mention God''s Destiny naturally comes with a main character aura, giving them an identity advantage at birth, and picking up old masters, supreme divine skills, and Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures is routine... If I use game terminology, they''ve not only got a hundredfold experience boost but also the max drop rate! Damn, it''s so disgusting! What kind of trash game is this?! How are we regular players supposed to play? The developers should just damn die! Worse yet, you can''t even delete your account in this game, only watch as those ''cheaters'' fly around, doing whatever they please! I''m even a part of their ''game experience'', highlighting the Heavenly difference between us... Gritting his teeth, Zhu Haomiao''s expression suddenly changed as he contemplated, analyzing closely. Wait, even though I''m just a Mortal Destiny, I might have a cheat too. Not only that, but I can use Krypton Gold! Overall, I might not be worse than those with God''s Destiny, perhaps even more extreme! Emmmm... Alright, then! The fuming jealousy quickly dissipated. Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s calm demeanor, Feng Zhaobai nodded secretly, feeling even more resolved to befriend him. "Junior Brother Zhu, no need to rush. Currently, Yanhuang Armory has many Silver-level tasks. I can use my special authority to lower the required energy level by one step, so once you advance to Bronze, you can take them on." "Anyway, the next stage of competition will likely last for quite a while. You have enough time to develop slowly..." Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s sincere advice, Zhu Haomiao sincerely nodded as well. "Understood, thank you, Senior Brother Feng." "You''re welcome." ..................... Leaving the Yanhuang Armory headquarters, Zhu Haomiao gazed at the rolling dark clouds on the horizon, contemplating his next steps. First, I need to find a baddie to loot some Gold Coins, aiming to upgrade all four cultivation techniques before returning to the real world for the first time! Although I don''t know how big the gap is between Black Iron and Bronze, once I''ve digested the gains from the Second Layer Technique, it should be about right. If that doesn''t work, I''ll hunt some demons and monsters and collect their Original Sin to quickly boost my Six-dimensional Attributes. With this in mind, Zhu Haomiao focused and carefully sensed around, furrowing his brows slightly. The Second Layer Technique upgrade seems to require more greed coins... Extrapolating from this, higher-level technique upgrades will likely need even more coins, and regular small fries won''t yield enough. I need to find some seasoned old-timers. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, first, I''ll retrieve the greed coin still out there... Return a greater favor for even a minor help received. I borrowed 30 taels of silver, so paying back 1,000 should be enough... In just over five days, a 33-fold return should clear this cause and effect... Turning his head to look toward the ten miles of foreign market, using his special sense linked to his creations, Zhu Haomiao headed into the inner areas of the settlement. With a cape and hood on, the boy clad in black moved through the grotesquely prosperous streets like a ghost. As the day quickly turned to night, his figure became ever more ethereal and elusive. But the further he walked, the more Zhu Haomiao felt something was wrong because he had already entered the settlement''s affluent district. Most of the people living here were foreign colonizers, and with Liu Heng and his merchant gang identities, no amount of money would allow them to live here. Yet his sense was not wrong; the last greed coin in this world was just ahead in a villa. "Who are you?! This is a private domain; no loitering allowed!" Standing and observing for barely a few seconds, Zhu Haomiao attracted the patrol''s attention. A squad of heavily-armed men came marching over, guns lifted, yelling at him to leave. Chapter 57 - 57: Infiltration Taking a deep look at these blonde, blue-eyed foreign mercenaries, Zhu Haomiao turned and left without hesitation, quickly disappearing into the night. Soon, a torrential downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning enveloped the world. In the intense curtain of rain, even the street light''s beam seemed dim. A ghostly shadow bypassed the patrol squad, silently slipped into the villa, and cautiously avoided a few security guards on the first floor. As he passed the first floor, Zhu Haomiao could vaguely sense the massive strength contained within the muscular security guards. They radiated their energy waves recklessly, like conspicuous torches. Or perhaps these native transcendent beings haven''t learned how to restrain and conceal their energy waves? But either way, each of these guys'' energy emissions was stronger than his own. One-on-one, he might have a good chance, but one-on-many... plus their firearms... if they know how to coordinate... Emmmm... Luckily, my gear can conceal my presence... Looking down at the cloak wrapped tightly around him, Zhu Haomiao inwardly praised it. But he also knew if it weren''t for the heavy rain causing the guards to gather inside and slack off playing cards, he really wouldn''t be able to infiltrate without alerting them. After all, his equipment only concealed his presence and reduced his presence, not true invisibility. Shaking his head silently, Zhu Haomiao activated the [Plum Blossom Step], making his steps lighter, and silently made his way to the second floor. He could sense that his gold coin was not far away. The second-floor hallway was dark and silent. It seemed the villa''s owner had already entered a deep sleep, except for the room at the end of the hallway, where dim light seeped through the door crack. The thick carpet made Zhu Haomiao''s movements even more concealed. He reached the end of the hallway, stood outside the study, and his eyes shone with a dim black light through the gate. At this close distance, he could clearly lock onto the [greed coin] inside, and even the surroundings of the coin were projected into his divine soul. In his perception, a middle-aged white man with a stylish mustache, handsome and charismatic, was playing with the coin lovingly, his eyes full of greedy fervor. Fingers placed on the doorknob, ready to push the door open, Zhu Haomiao''s movements suddenly paused, a playful smile curling at the corners of his mouth. He had a faint premonition that the [greed coin] had already "corroded" a crack in the middle-aged white man''s spirit, and he could use the authority of the [Book of Black] to pollute through this crack, completely breaking down his mental defenses from the inside out. A few meters away on the other side, Murray, using the light, was admiring the coin with a magnifying glass, completely unaware of the approaching danger. "So beautiful! So beautiful! Truly a work of art!" "Who exactly forged this Holy Object?" "I can feel supreme divinity from it!" "Maybe... I should go back and see those yellow-skinned monkeys... force them to reveal the coin''s origin, and not let those rough prison guards kill them..." Mumbling to himself, Murray suddenly felt a chill down his back, sensing something as he looked towards the gate. The previously closed door was slowly opening, revealing a thick darkness that light couldn''t penetrate. The sticky and weird darkness flowed in like a liquid through the door crack, and in the depths of the darkness outside, something seemed to be twisting and writhing. "Hmph! What kind of trickery is this?" Snorting coldly, Murray carefully placed the coin into the inner pocket, close to his heart, then casually grabbed the Knight Sword from beside the table, skillfully drawing it from the scabbard. Clang~ With a crisp sound, visible Holy Light gushed forth, swirling around the sword like flames, flickering unpredictably. "God said, let there be light!" Raising the sword and pointing it, the blazing, brilliant Holy Light dispersed the darkness, revealing a small human figure shrouded in a black cloak. "How primitive and ignorant this country is... even the demons are so stupid!" With a cold sneer, Murray fearlessly raised his sword and stepped forward, the fierce Holy Light drawing a straight golden line in the air, aiming directly at the enemy''s head. Whoosh~ The small figure dodged like a ghost, the sword light only slicing off a corner of his cloak, not harming his body at all. But that probing sword strike used only sixty percent of its strength, and Murray''s Knight Sword flowed seamlessly, tracing an arc, relentlessly locking onto the enemy''s vital spots like a shadow. The small figure dodged and maneuvered, his movement technique as nimble as a monkey, but the brilliant sword light seemed like a giant net enveloping him tightly. No matter how he struggled, he couldn''t break free from the sword net''s strangling. Finally, the gradually tightening sword net sealed off all escape routes, and the small figure, like a beast driven to desperation, emitted an evil, violent red glow from the eyes hidden under the hood''s shadow. Thump~ One punch landed squarely on the sword''s spine, the massive strange force transmitted through the hilt made Murray''s eyes narrow. Utilizing the enemy''s strength, he traced a circle with the treasure sword, his body rotating like a top, slicing towards the other side of the enemy. Not anticipating Murray''s swift shift in sword tactics, the small enemy couldn''t dodge in time. His chest was slashed open with a narrow, long gash, blood gushing out, faintly revealing the white bones deep within the wound! Having severely injured the enemy with one sword strike, Murray elegantly twirled the sword, revealing a contemptuous and disdainful smile. "Speak, who sent you?" The Holy Light attached to the sword hadn''t caused additional harm to the enemy. By now, Murray had determined the opponent wasn''t a demon, but a human with flesh and blood. Since it was a human, the opponent''s background was worthy of discussion. In just a moment, Murray''s mind raced through the names of over a dozen competitors, all of whom had motives to send an assassin to attack him. But upon further reflection, he thought those competitors wouldn''t be so stupid. Even if they sent an assassin, they wouldn''t send such a superstitious fool. Yet at this moment, the silent enemy suddenly erupted without warning. Seeing the enemy, disregarding his own injuries, rushing at him with a death-defying momentum, Murray''s brow slightly furrowed. A Death Soldier? In the blink of lightning and stone fire, Murray''s thoughts were racing, but his actions were not slow at all. The sharp Knight Sword swept upward from below, cutting a pure golden arc of light that sliced the human body as if it were tofu, nearly cleaving the charging enemy in half down the midline. Flying back even faster than he came, the short enemy spat out a mouthful of blood, his chest and abdomen slashed with a cross-shaped, bloody and messy wound! Like a fish that''s been gutted, the organs in his chest and abdominal cavity were exposed to the air, emitting a strong, bloody smell. But rather than feeling disgusted at this scene, Murray''s pupils contracted, revealing sheer ecstasy. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 58 - 58: Theres No Way to Digest It All! Because within the split-open entrails, he saw a familiar glint of gold. Swish swish swish~ With four quick slashes, he severed his enemy''s limbs. Murray knelt beside his fallen foe like a devout believer, released the knight sword in his grip, and reached into the writhing innards, stirring around in search. "Aaaaaah~~" The enemy''s wails sounded like a young child''s, but Murray felt no pity. His mind was entirely occupied by the sensation at his fingertips. Yes! Yes! It''s the gold coin!! Pulling out a blood-drenched gold coin from the depths of the scarlet viscera, Murray lifted his blood-soaked hand, utterly enraptured as he gazed at the holy object, shimmering with a beautiful radiance under the light! Carefully placing the blood-stained coin into his inner pocket, Murray greedily looked down at the wailing boy, a twisted, ferocious grin of ecstatic joy spreading across his face. There''s more! There''s more inside!! Without hesitation, he plunged both hands into the boy''s guts, frantically searching, violently and carelessly tearing out clumps of organs, as foul-smelling mucus and blood splattered everywhere. The originally elegant study gradually turned crimson, as sinister and terrifying as Hell. Quickly, a second coin was uncovered, followed by a third, a fourth¡­ The boy''s screams of despair and agony sounded to Murray like celestial music. The smile on his face became harder to suppress, growing more twisted, ferocious, and manic¡­ More! More! More! They''re all mine! All mine! The gold coins inside the boy''s stomach seemed inexhaustible. Unknowingly, Murray had extended his entire upper body into the gaping maw-like incision, which began to swallow him bit by bit¡­ ...... Crack, crackle~ In the real world, one of the opponent''s eyeballs was squeezed out of its socket, hanging by a nerve at the corner of his eye. Yet, his face bore an even greedier, more frenzied smile. Zhu Haomiao rubbed his chin, curious to know what Murray saw in the illusion realm. What could be making him so happy? Tell me so I can share in the joy? Snap~ With a soft snap of his fingers, Murray instantly awoke from the illusion. The mountain of gold piled around him evaporated like bubbles, leaving his one intact eye staring at a mysteriously sinister boy in black standing before him, deftly flipping a familiar, ornate gold coin between his fingers, watching him with a not quite smile. "No! That''s mine¡­" Instinctively, he tried to reclaim what was his, but only now did Murray realize that his body was twisted like a pretzel, suspended in mid-air by an invisible force. "Heh heh heh¡­" Realizing his predicament, an indescribable pain immediately flooded his mind. The intense shock caused his brain to momentarily crash, and he instinctively lost consciousness, sparing him from dying of agony. But as he hovered at the brink of death, Zhu Haomiao leaned down and whispered softly in his ear. "Where did you get this gold coin?" Murray''s pupils dilated and unfocused as his consciousness was utterly dominated. He murmured weakly. "From a Qing Country merchant¡­" "Where are those merchants now?" "In the dungeon of the Songjiang Prefecture County Office¡­" "Why are they in the dungeon?" "Because they wouldn''t hand over the coins, so I had them arrested¡­" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao had already vaguely guessed the course of events. Merely a scenario of collusion between officials and merchants, scheming for wealth and murder. These powerful colonizers could mobilize local forces with a single word, framing Liu Heng''s merchant group with any excuse. Smacking his lips, Zhu Haomiao sighed deeply and languidly uttered two words. "Greed." Crack, snap~~ The next second, the authority of the Book of Black intervened in reality, with chilling sounds of bones cracking echoing like a string of firecrackers, as the tall and burly middle-aged Caucasian was twisted like a damp towel by invisible giant hands, squeezing out every ounce of "value." Liquid brain matter, blood, entrails, bone marrow, along with even more intangible concepts were extracted and merged into a mesmerically beautiful gold hue. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Eagerly opening his palm, several blood-stained gold coins floated into Zhu Haomiao''s hand, and he couldn''t help but reveal a satisfied smile. Indeed... the human heart is filthier than demons! Especially these colonizers, inherently burdened with Original Sin¡­ Their every piece of wealth was soaked with the tears and blood of the colonized people, their positions climbed atop the white bones of the colonies! What''s more, their minds are not as strong as they appear to be! Unlike the present-world Transcendents who valued the Dao Heart, the creatures of this Illusion Realm seem to be at a rather primitive stage in exploring spiritual power, which makes it more convenient for the Black Book to harvest them. Zhu Haomiao knew that if it were purely a contest of brute strength, he was actually not as strong as the middle-aged Caucasian before him. Rather than saying he defeated him, it was more accurate to say the man lost to his own inner greed. The Black Book merely stirred the Original Sin deep within his soul, using his power to kill himself! Eyeballing the twisted, nearly unrecognizable flesh, Zhu Haomiao raised a hand in a virtual grip. Watching the mysterious, hefty tome materialize in his palm, he let out a lamenting sigh. What truly insidious and strange power¡­ Greed +50 Greed: LV.2¡úLV.3 (0/300) God +1 Qi +1 Essence +1 Adjusting the ratio between the Original Sin values and gold coins, Zhu Haomiao gained a total of 13 greed coins, plus one returned coin, making a total of 14! Without any hesitation, Zhu Haomiao held his fist over the Book of Black, releasing his fingers, allowing the ornate coins to spiral down onto the open pages, creating visible ripples of principle. Four cultivation techniques successively glowed with brilliant golden light. Surprisingly, they absorbed only eight coins before stopping, much "cheaper" than Zhu Haomiao had anticipated. Big Toad Qi: LV.1 (entry-level) ¡ú LV.2 (Skilled) Essence +1 Qi +1 Hard Qi Skill: LV.1 (entry-level) ¡ú LV.2 (Skilled) Body +1 Strength +1 Stacked Waves Strength: LV.1 (entry-level) ¡ú LV.2 (Skilled) Strength +1 Body +1 Plum Blossom Step: LV.1 (entry-level) ¡ú LV.2 (Skilled) Dexterity +2 A torrent of immense energy was channeled from the void, gradually settling and hiding, merging into the depths of spirit and body. Glancing at his six-dimensional attributes, Zhu Haomiao found that each item already had a latent potential of 2.5, with Body reaching as high as 3.5! Even if he used the Sloth authority to accelerate with deep sleep, these attributes would still take him nearly a virtual moon''s time to cultivate! He can''t digest it all! There''s simply too much to absorb! Chapter 59 - 59: Prison Break Shaking his head in a very Versailles manner, Zhu Haomiao began to carefully scour the study and unexpectedly found a luxurious silver-plated revolver in the drawer of the bookcase. His eyes lit up, and the young man took out the revolver and played with it meticulously, feeling more and more that he couldn''t put it down. The sturdy caliber, the slender barrel, the gun body filled with the beauty of violence, elegance, and savagery were perfectly united at this moment, instantly stirring the instinctive hunting desire of a man. I really want to shoot something! Holding the handgun, aiming left and right, Zhu Haomiao finally suppressed the urge to test the gun, put on the matching holster to secure it at his right hip, and packed all the bullets in the drawer. However, this set of firearms was just an unexpected delight, and the young man quickly refocused his attention on "searching the body," rummaging through the study. It took over an hour, but Zhu Haomiao finally found what he wanted in a hidden secret compartment. Land deed, useless! Stocks, useless! Loan agreements, useless! Tossing aside a heap of stuff that couldn''t be turned into cash, Zhu Haomiao found a thick stack of cash deep in the secret compartment. "Tsk, why is it British Pounds again... I still have to exchange it..." Pouting in disgust, the young man was about to leave when he suddenly paused, looking at the various valuable documents scattered on the table. In theory, those things were the most valuable; this stack of British Pounds in his hand could only be considered emergency petty cash. But to cash them out, he would need time, channels, and power... He had none of these conditions! However... Some creature under his control did! A thought crossed his mind, and Zhu Haomiao packed all these valuable documents, forced himself to wrap up the dried and shrunken corpse scraps on the ground with distaste. Finally, donning his hood, he closed his cloak and disappeared like a ghost into the continuous rainy night outside the window. ......... "Why do you think the Boss has changed lately and started fighting with people everywhere?" "I heard those guys betrayed him, I couldn''t tolerate it either if I were him!" S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "But isn''t it a bit too extreme, now people outside are calling him a mad dog." "Haha, a person who is not ruthless can''t stand firm, hasn''t the Boss''s business expanded several times? Our commission has also grown with it, and our equipment is updated too, isn''t that good?" "True... The Shelly family used to be so arrogant, now they avoid us when they see us!" The two little henchmen, holding firearms, crouched under the eaves to avoid the rain and chatted idly, not noticing a shadowy figure passing by them. And the protagonist they were discussing was now facing a pile of documents, deep in thought, with a greedy black light swirling in his eyes that others could not observe. Suddenly, as if sensing something, he looked up and saw a thin shadow by the window, shaking off the rainwater from its cloak. "My lord." (ÎáÖ÷) Rising respectfully into a half-kneeling position, Wilson bowed his head deeply like a devout believer. "Get up, see if you can cash in these things, and exchange all these British Pounds for silver notes for me." He bluntly tossed the documents to Wilson, Zhu Haomiao combined the previous three hundred British Pounds with this haul and handed them all to him. After a careful inspection, Wilson thought for a long time and resolutely said. "Most of them can be laundered and cashed, but there will be some depreciation..." Zhu Haomiao nodded unsurprisingly. "Fine, just handle it as you see fit." "Yes, my lord." Like a competent steward, Wilson bowed, placing a hand to his chest, and carefully added. "Additionally, British Pounds are hard currency, you can directly exchange them at major banks, but such a large amount might need a prior appointment. I will handle these for you as soon as possible." "Mhmm, well done, I''ll come by next time." With that, the young man flicked his thumb, and with a melodious crisp sound, a touch of luxurious gold traced a parabolic path, landing precisely in Wilson''s hand. Cradling the luxurious and sacred gold coin, the black light in Wilson''s eyes burned like flames, instantly engulfing his entire eyeball. The seemingly solid gold coin slowly dissolved, turning into a viscous inky liquid that seemed alive, seeped into his skin, circulated throughout his body with his blood, silently darkening his entire sea of consciousness from material to soul. Seeing the twisted, swirling black light in the other''s eyes, Zhu Haomiao smirked with interest, faintly sensing that his control over him was growing stronger, to the point where he could dictate his life and death with a single thought! "Go on." "Yes, my lord." In Wilson''s deep kneeling worship, Zhu Haomiao departed without reluctance, turning into a shadow disappearing into the depths of the rainy night. And within dozens of minutes, the young man arrived non-stop outside the Songjiang Prefecture''s county government dungeon, frowning at the towering courtyard walls. How troublesome... I still have to break into the prison... Might as well let them fend for themselves... After all, I am not related to them by blood, why should I risk my life to save them? Anyway, I''ve already killed the culprit, which counts as avenging them... And I can save a thousand taels of silver... The thought of hassle surged into his mind, and Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips irritably, instinctively wanting to adjust his steps and leave straight away. But in the next second, the information from the Book of Black woke him up instantly. "Sloth +10, Dao Heart -1" Damn! Letting out a national curse in his mind, Zhu Haomiao broke out in a cold sweat as he realized his train of thought was somewhat off. What about the favor repaying in kind that was promised? Solely because of the trouble, am I really going to abandon them, is this somewhat inhumane? Moreover, they also got into this baseless trouble because of the greed coin. Even ignoring the facts, I must bear more than 90% of the responsibility. Shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao punched his own head forcefully, his gaze turned firm again. But looking at the towering courtyard walls, a new problem immediately surfaced in the young man''s mind. Perhaps he could climb over when entering, but what about when he comes out? Liu Heng and his brothers may not have his skills. So... is using the Kang''s infiltration technique the only way? Surveying the continuous heavy rain around, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. Thanks to this downpour, many of his movements were perfectly concealed, also fulfilling the conditions for the Kang''s infiltration. Crack~ Crack~ Gently moving his limbs, his whole body''s joints emitted a series of crisp sounds; Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath and nimbly walked towards the main gate of the prison. A running start and he flipped over the tightly closed gate, the pitch-black cloak allowing him to perfectly blend into the background, completely unnoticed by the prison guards inside the courtyard. The inner courtyard''s defenses were much laxer than expected, at this late hour, almost everyone had entered the dreamland, even the patrolling prison guards were dozing off leaning against the wall, not noticing a shadow quietly approaching. Chapter 60 - 60: Meat Mountain Zhu Haomiao quietly crept up from behind and gently covered the prison guard''s mouth and nose. At the moment the guard''s eyes widened in terror, he twisted forcefully. Crack~ "Mmm..." The scream that almost escaped was abruptly cut off. Amid the crisp sound of cracking bones, the guard''s cervical vertebrae snapped, his head spun 180 degrees, and the faint groan was instantly stilled in his throat. "Relax, a little pain is normal." Holding the twitching, convulsing body of the prison guard, Zhu Haomiao murmured softly into his ear. It was only after a dozen seconds that he gently laid the lifeless body on the ground. Finding a short blade beside the prison guard, Zhu Haomiao drew it from its sheath, and looked at the sharp steel blade gleaming coldly, nodding in satisfaction. Though it was just an ordinary standard steel blade, it was well maintained and proved more practical in actual combat than many flashy weapons. He awkwardly twirled the blade and stealthily entered a nearby room filled with snoring. Seconds later, the snoring stopped one by one, and the room gradually fell into a deadly silence, with a faint hint of the strong scent of blood. He swaggered out of the room, the young man casually flicked the steel blade, flinging the blood droplets to the ground, and after surveying the area to confirm no living creatures were around, he headed toward the dungeon. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Descending the stairs into the dungeon, the dim light was evident, along with faint sounds of drinking and toasting. "Five Sixes! Six, six, six!" "Hahahaha, you lost!" "Boss, another drink~" ...... Standing at the corner for a few minutes, confirming there was no chance to take them out one by one, Zhu Haomiao sighed helplessly and walked straight out. The sound of leather shoes tapped lightly on the cold, damp stone slabs as he approached the lights, only then did the drunken revelers inside notice someone nearing. "Damn it, Er Gou, that kid''s slacking off on guard duty again, sneaking down here for a drink..." A prison guard near the passageway shook his numb head, stood up ready to scold, when a flash of silver blade obscured his vision. When he came back to his senses, he found himself airborne, with a familiar headless body on the ground, its neck, as wide as a bowl, gushing bright red fluid like a fountain. "Old Liu!!!" The remaining few immediately sobered up, grabbing weapons at hand, glaring fiercely at the figure slowly emerging from the dark shadows. With the blade pointing downward at an angle, Zhu Haomiao surveyed the scene and frowned slightly. Though the sneak attack took out one, the remaining three seemed not to be easy targets... Especially the massive Meat Mountain sitting in the middle, leisurely eating in such circumstances, seemingly indifferent to the surrounding disturbance. However, Zhu Haomiao had no time to think, for two elder prison guards charged from his left and right, their sharp blades sealing off the narrow passage, cornering the young man with deadly intent. Taking a deep breath, Zhu Haomiao advanced instead of retreating, using the feints of the Plum Blossom Step, his figure swayed left and right unpredictably, causing the two attackers'' strikes to shift, revealing a small flaw. Clang~ The steel blade swung up, clashing head-on with the cutting attack of the prison guard, the force from which made Zhu Haomiao''s pupils contract, immediately dispelling the idea of a forceful kill. Damn it, even an elder prison guard''s strength surpasses mine! [Strength]: 1.0¡ü (2.5) Glancing instinctively at his own [Strength] attribute, Zhu Haomiao gritted his teeth in secret. When I develop into a complete body, I''ll slay each one of you with a single strike! Yet, the impotent anger in his heart could not change the current situation. Zhu Haomiao could only use the second layer of the Plum Blossom Step, to dodge and weave through the two''s assault, while simultaneously calling upon the Second Layer of the Stacked Waves Strength to slowly increase his internal strength. Thankfully, though the strength of the two elder prison guards was formidable, it was just slightly superior, not to the point of overwhelming. As the Stacked Waves Strength gradually activated, Zhu Haomiao could noticeably feel his responses becoming more relaxed, even starting to suppress the two attackers. However, facing him, the two were increasingly disturbed, feeling the enemy''s onslaught akin to the mighty tide of the Qiantang River, one wave after another, layer upon layer, as if they were confronting the grandeur of a natural disaster, transitioning from skillfully handling it to utter despair in a matter of seconds. What on earth is this sorcery? Or is it that the opponent hasn''t even unleashed their full strength, merely toying with us? Growing anxious, the two elder prison guards no longer cared about anything else, shouting for help. "Boss, stop eating! Help out now!" It was only then that the Meat Mountain, who was stuffing a chicken leg into his mouth, paused, wiped his hands randomly on his body, picked up his weapon, and stood up slowly. In an instant, Zhu Haomiao felt the basement dimmed as the already cramped space became even tighter, simply because the creature with its head brushing the ceiling was stretching its body. Its enormous physique creating a visual oppression. What kind of O''Neal plus pro max version is this? Facing the massive Meat Mountain, a sense of urgency surged within Zhu Haomiao, his actions intensified with ferocity, aiming to eliminate the "small fries" before it joined the fray. However, lacking any precise kill moves, his straightforward slashes made the elder prison guards grimace, yet unable to break through their defense. Soon, witnessing Meat Mountain charging at him, Zhu Haomiao reluctantly abandoned conventional stratagem, a bloodthirsty, savage gleam lighting up his eyes. [Anger]! Magma-like searing, violent energy surged through the young man''s body, the initially sharp blade light suddenly became frenzied, with irresistible force, breaking through the two elder guards'' defense, snapping their necks under their incredulous gaze. Heads filled with despair spun through the air, even upon landing, their faces frozen in a grimace from the moment of death. Eeven as his own dead subordinate''s unseeing gaze bore into him, the heavy-charging Meat Mountain paused, an indifference in his eyes replaced by a hint of dread, cautiously asking. "Are you here to break into the prison?" Not in the mood to waste words with the enemy, spurred by the extreme Second Layer of Stacked Waves Strength and the extraordinary power of Anger, Zhu Haomiao knew his physique wouldn''t last long. He had to finish this quickly! Bang~ Stamping a foot on the floor tile, the dark silhouette charged straight at the enemy, the unstoppable ferocity even startled the Meat Mountain. Where did this lunatic come from? Going all in right from the start? Clang~ Zhu Haomiao''s steel blade clashed fiercely with the giant Mo Blade in the enemy''s hand, producing a metallic twist that grated on the ears. Meat Mountain was startled, the backlash force from his hands didn''t feel like it came from a scrawny human, but rather an enraged wild bull. Thud~ The massive form staggered back a step uncontrollably, its entire bulk rippling like waves, dissipating and distributing the impact throughout itself. Chapter 61 - 61: Although… However, I Know I Am a Good Boy! Meanwhile, on the other side, Zhu Haomiao was directly slashed and sent flying until he hit the wall and stopped. Cough, cough~ After a couple of dry coughs, suppressing the blood rising to his throat, the young man looked at the twisted and deformed weapon in his hand and felt the stinging pain of his shaken internal organs. The violent rage in his heart erupted like a volcano! Damn swine! How dare you resist?!! Raising his eyes, the crimson eyes emitted a chilling fierce light, with spiderweb-like blood vessels spreading across his face from his eyes. An incomparable massive power surged from within his body, and a barely visible blood-red mist diffused from the boy''s body, flickering like a vague, transparent flame. The Meat Mountain on the other side of the basement couldn''t see the blood-red mist steaming continuously, but those grim eyes under the shadow of the hood emitted a visible blood-red fierce light. Meeting that gaze alone made him feel his scalp tingle and hair stand on end. Yet just as he gripped the weapon in his hand, bracing for a mighty enemy, the slender opponent suddenly relaxed; the fierce light in his eyes slowly faded, and his bulging, taut muscles gradually loosened, returning to the cold indifference from when he first appeared. This abrupt change in temperament left the Meat Mountain even more terrified because this suggested the opponent''s mental state was extremely unstable, likely a madman! "Control [anger], [Dao Heart] +1" However, Zhu Haomiao merely forcibly suppressed the Original Sin, for he knew the cost of continuing to unleash [anger]. Even if he hacked the enemy to death, it would take a long time for him to recover from his injuries. In the Illusion Realm, there''s no Su E teacher to massage and heal him¡­ Thinking of teacher Su E, the anger in Zhu Haomiao''s chest calmed further, as if washed away by gentle and clear spring water, making him completely peaceful. Just saving a life, why risk everything? Shaking his head as he looked at the Meat Mountain opposite, who was in a defensive stance, tense and serious, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but smile, lifting the corner of his mouth. Judging by his body shape alone, the other side was clearly a heavy, clumsy meat shield. In an open area, there were ten thousand ways to play him to death, but in such a closed, narrow environment like the basement, the advantage of agile movement couldn''t be used, leaving him to confront the opponent''s strongest aspect head-on. No need¡­ there''s really no need¡­ Moreover, such a cramped space, such a huge body, isn''t this a sitting duck? If I don''t shoot something, it feels like I''m letting myself down! "My friend, eat shit~" Before the slow-thinking opponent could realize what those inexplicable words meant, Meat Mountain watched as the enemy flicked a cloak, pulling out a lavish and brutal pistol from his waist. Only when the black hole-like muzzle aimed at him did Meat Mountain''s pupils sharply constrict, instinctively using the wide Mo Blade to shield his head. Western firearm! No martial honor! Bang~Bang~Bang~Bang~Bang~Bang~ In an instant, the magazine was emptied, with the scorching bullets easily tearing through the flesh, creating six thumb-thick holes on the enemy''s massive body in the front. Subsequently, the rolling bullets wreaked havoc within the soft human body, ripping open huge cavities, bursting through to the back, exploding into six bowl-sized ghastly gaps. The massive Meat Mountain shook six times, the Mo Blade tightly gripped in his hand clanged onto the ground, the entire body leaning backward like a gold mountain collapsing, crashing onto the ground with a boom. Feeling the ground slightly tremble underfoot, Zhu Haomiao blew out the gunpowder smoke from the muzzle with a faint smile. "Over seven paces, the gun is fast; within seven paces, the gun is both fast and accurate!" The bright red blood spread across the floor like a puddle as the young man holstered his gun, stepped over the Meat Mountain on the ground, and, suddenly sensing something, looked downward. Since the Mo Blade covered the head, Zhu Haomiao mainly targeted the torso, which meant that although the opponent''s injuries were fatal, they wouldn''t die immediately, enduring the despair and pain before death instead. "Gasp, gasp¡­" With a large hole blasted open in the chest, the Meat Mountain couldn''t even speak, only emitting wheezing sounds like a bellows, the body involuntarily convulsing and trembling. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The impending despair and pain of death shattered the protective shell of the spirit. Sensing the opponent''s soul exposed without protection before him, Zhu Haomiao narrowed his eyes with intrigue. "Sloth." A faint whisper as though from the depths of the earth, the sinister and terrifying authority manipulated the law, gradually twisting and altering the substance. In the next second, gray-white threads spread from the void, wrapping around the Meat Mountain little by little. Ignoring his fearful, desperate struggle and wheezing, countless threads tightened and solidified, forming a massive, constantly writhing and twisting Insect Cocoon, and through the threads embodying sin, Zhu Haomiao clearly saw patches of fungus spots emerging on his body. Then, skin dissolved, muscles detached, organs melted, a living human slowly¡­ yet irresistibly "melted," eventually even bones completely dissolved, transforming into a nauseating pus. Frowning, looking at the massive "Insect Cocoon" fallen into deathly silence, Zhu Haomiao instinctively took a step back, even finding it a bit creepy himself. I am clearly a sunny, cheerful big boy, so why does it feel like I''m straying off course? Surveying the bloodied basement, three headless corpses, three menacing heads with unclosed eyes, plus an evil and grotesque "Insect Cocoon"...¡­ I clearly chose the path of robust and handsome Chinese Martial Arts, so why does it look like a cult sacrifice ritual?! Scratching his head in distress, Zhu Haomiao was pondering where things went wrong, when a message from the [Book of Black] suddenly came through his Divine Soul. [Sloth]+150 [Sloth]: LV.0¡úLV.2 (0/200) [Qi]+2 [Essence]+1 His face changed slightly, Zhu Haomiao thought carefully, analyzing seriously, and finally his eyes sharpened. After all, the gossip of mere strangers isn''t unbearable¡­ Even though I kill, set fires, rob, murder, engage in cult sacrifice rituals¡­ But I know, I am a good boy! That''s right! I am a good boy! After another thorough re-evaluation, finding no flaws, Zhu Haomiao nodded in satisfaction. Then, he took down a string of keys hanging on the wall, opened the innermost prison door, and stepped into the pitch-black depths of the dungeon. The prisoners who were originally asleep were all awakened by the gunfire, one by one staring uncertainly at the passageway, their eyes full of expectancy mixed with fear. Glancing at these bony, ragged prisoners, Zhu Haomiao''s brows furrowed even tighter. On the bodies of most of them, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t smell the scent of Sin, which meant they probably hadn''t committed any crimes at all. But he was too lazy to investigate why they ended up here. The young man opened the prison doors one by one, deliberately lowering his voice and giving instructions in a deep, aged tone. "The guards outside have been killed. Leave straight away, don''t linger." Chapter 62 - 62, Settling Cause and Effect Upon hearing this, a gasp of suppressed astonishment swept through the prison, and some couldn''t help but cry and kneel, kowtowing several times to the young man cloaked in black robes. "Thank you, hero!" With a casual wave of his hand, Zhu Haomiao methodically opened each cell, finally finding the room where Liu Heng and others were held. Seeing their bodies covered in scars and their dejected state, clearly having suffered greatly, Zhu Haomiao sighed inwardly. It seems a thousand taels of silver is not enough... "Thank you, benefactor." As Liu Heng struggled to stand and was about to bow, Zhu Haomiao supported him, slightly lifting his head to reveal half of his face hidden under the hood. In the dim light, Liu Heng could discern the youthful face of the other, his heart shook violently. "Zhu..." "Shh." With a gesture, Zhu Haomiao swiftly released all the prisoners, then led Liu Heng and a few others out of the dungeon. Outside, upon seeing the bloody, gruesome murder scene and the massive, bizarre ''insect cocoon,'' Liu Heng and his brothers were covered in goosebumps. Inexplicably, they thought of the prison guard head who watched over them, whose body size seemed to perfectly match the ''insect cocoon''... "Gulp~" Swallowing dryly, Liu Heng''s brothers exchanged glances, their joy of freedom slowly replaced by fear of the unknown, while Liu Heng, following behind Zhu Haomiao, was filled with joy. Because he knew, his choice was right! Mr. Zhu really came to rescue them! Although it wasn''t as he imagined, where a single word could make the government release people. But to personally risk danger, kill and break into prison, didn''t it show his commitment to repay kindness? Only after exiting the gate, leading Liu Heng and others through twists and turns to the riverside of the Bund, confirming there were no pursuers, did Zhu Haomiao remove his hood, revealing his true face. "Mr. Zhu?!!!" It was only then that Liu Heng''s companions clearly saw his face and couldn''t help but exclaim. Nodding and smiling at them, Zhu Haomiao got straight to the point: "Do you have any way to leave Songjiang Prefecture? After everything is discovered tomorrow, I''m afraid the government will start a manhunt for you." Upon hearing this, the joy Liu Heng and others felt from leaving the prison vanished. "There are ways, but all our money and goods have been confiscated, years of savings are gone, what''s the point of going back?" The statement made several of them feel sorrowful, and some of the younger ones couldn''t help but wipe their tears. Seeing this, Zhu Haomiao awkwardly pursed his lips. In a sense, they suffered this misfortune because of him. In the future, the greed coin cannot be given casually, at least not to these ordinary people without the ability to protect themselves... "How much are your goods worth?" "Cost five hundred taels of silver, if sold well in Shanghai, it can fetch seven to eight hundred taels." Not understanding the meaning behind the young man''s question, Liu Heng instinctively answered, and then a thick stack of ''paper'' was stuffed into his hands. "This is three thousand taels in silver notes, enough to compensate for your losses." Staring blankly at the silver notes in his hand, Liu Heng''s eyes went through a million-year journey, greed, ecstasy, hesitation, struggle, and finally painful relief. Ignoring signals from his brothers, Liu Heng lowered his head in shame. "No! Mr. Zhu, I can''t accept these silver notes, I didn''t take good care of your gold coin." "You mean this?" With a casual grasp, a brilliant golden coin magically appeared, pinched between Zhu Haomiao''s fingers, and held out to Liu Heng. Seeing that familiar glint of gold, Liu Heng raised his head in confusion. "Mr. Zhu... what is this?" "I''ve already retrieved the gold coin, these silver notes... just consider them compensation from that guy." A keen sense of a hint of blood in the young man''s words made Liu Heng shiver, not daring to ask more, he simply nodded respectfully. "Then I will daringly accept your reward." "Mm, go on." Patted Liu Heng''s shoulder, Zhu Haomiao turned away without hesitation, feeling as though a cause and effect had been resolved, even his steps became light and joyful. And behind him, Liu Heng and a few brothers knelt towards the direction he left, kowtowing deeply several times, then disappeared into the night by the river. ............... In the luxurious, elegantly decorated hotel room, Zhu Haomiao slumped onto the sofa after shedding his cloak, feeling the sharp pain intensifying throughout his body, unable to help but slightly grimace. The extraordinary power of anger is indeed formidable, but its aftereffects are truly troublesome, ranging from soreness for several days to potentially shattering one''s physique! Moreover, this time it also layered the Second Layer Stacked Waves Strength, thus proportionally increasing the physical strain... Luckily, he didn''t lose his head and abandon the plan of brute force, otherwise, even if he somehow killed that Meat Mountain, it would''ve been a pyrrhic victory. Gritting his teeth, as Zhu Haomiao''s Divine Thought moved, the six-dimensional information from the Book of Black appeared before him, and the sour fatigue suddenly seemed more bearable. [God]: 1.2¡ü(2.5) [Dexterity]: 1.1¡ü(2.5) [Strength]: 1.0¡ü(2.5) [Essence]: 0.9¡ü(3.5) [Qi]: 0.9¡ü(4.5) [Body]: 1.0¡ü(3.5) Feeling good... Today''s harvests are enough for me to digest for over a month! Appreciating the vast potential settled deep within spirit and body, Zhu Haomiao smiled contently, enduring the increasingly intense muscle pain, he lay on the bed after discarding his clothes. Primal god... no, Sloth, activate! Closing his eyes, he consciously emptied his mind, his wakeful thoughts rapidly sinking into chaos, his breath gradually becoming long and slow, the nutrients stored within the four-dimensional stomach were rapidly absorbed, circulating through his body via the bloodstream, greedily consumed by fatigued, hungry cells. And just as Zhu Haomiao fell into Deep Sleep, conceptual Law Authority manifested into threads of gray-white unobservable by the naked eye, emerging from the void, like living things wrapping and ensnaring him, condensing into a massive ''insect cocoon.'' In the Cocoon Room, the boy''s every cell, every strand of Divine Soul was quietly undergoing a miraculous transformation, evolving towards a higher life level. Until three days later, Zhu Haomiao abruptly opened his eyes, sitting up in bed, bewilderedly looking around. Where am I? Who am I? No, wait! Illusion Realm, reality... Oh no! I''ve overstayed without returning, causing Lost reaction! Realizing he had overslept, Zhu Haomiao slapped his face hard, getting out of bed. Like in a dream, stumbling step by step to the bathroom door, Zhu Haomiao grasped the closed doorknob, closing his eyes. Detach consciousness... Return spirit... Awaken! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He abruptly opened his eyes, pushing open the bathroom wooden door, only to be met not by the expected space, but a chaotic rippling membrane of multi-colored hues. Chapter 63 - 63: Heart Demon Without hesitation, he lifted his foot and stepped over, after a violent sense of weightlessness and dizziness, Zhu Haomiao''s foot touched the ground, and he had to stagger a bit to steady himself. "Zhu Haomiao, duration of absence: 23 hours." Hearing the announcement in his ear, Zhu Haomiao raised his head somewhat blankly, looked around at the modern decor, and inexplicably felt a sense of disillusionment and unreality. Is it the butterfly dreaming of Zhuang Zhou or Zhuang Zhou dreaming of the butterfly? Which side is real after all?! As if waking from an ancient dream, Zhu Haomiao shook his head, taking a long time to gradually clear his thoughts. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao experienced the feeling of being [Lost] firsthand. Only about ten days of experience made him awaken as if from a dream. Those who stayed in the High Heavenly Position Illusion Realm for years, decades, or nearly a century, how shocked would they be at the moment they come out? In an instant, a word popped into Zhu Haomiao''s mind. Like a world apart! In a physical sense, like a world apart! No wonder [Dao Heart] is the standard for measuring a Transcendent''s "endurance" in the Illusion Realm. Without a strong and stable self-recognition anchor, the spirit is easily assimilated by the Illusion Realm over long years, eventually forgetting it is a creature in reality... He slapped his cheeks forcefully, wiped his face, and Zhu Haomiao slowly walked out of the [Boundary Pass] building. On the way back from HQ to his dormitory, the moment he opened the door, he saw a fluffy white cute creature rushing to his feet, clawing at his pants with a whimpering sound trying to climb up. "Ji ji ji~" Zhu Haomiao: "..." It took him two seconds to remember he had a pet, and the young man quickly picked up Diao Chan, holding it in his arms, stroking its fluffy, soft fur, the confusion and unreal feeling in his heart gradually faded away. It was like waking up from a hazy dream, Zhu Haomiao completely shrugged off the aftereffects of the Illusion Realm, his slightly vacant, dazed eyes regained clarity. "According to real-time, I''ve been gone for less than 24 hours, what are you calling out for?" Rubbing Diao Chan''s little head, Zhu Haomiao laughed and scolded, but when he saw the oil paper bags scattered all over the floor, his smile instantly froze. Could it be... Opening the fridge and seeing it was empty, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes gradually became sharp, lowering his gaze to meet Diao Chan''s big eyes in his arms. Seemingly aware of his owner''s dangerous gaze, Diao Chan innocently looked up at him with crystal-clear eyes, splaying open its soft belly trying to awaken some fatherly love. "Ying ying ying~" "I prepared a month''s worth of reserve food for you, and you ate it all in one day?!!" Faced with his owner''s fierce scolding, Diao Chan blinked its watery big eyes, tilting its head cutely. "Ji?" I''m just a silly little sandy ferret; I don''t understand what you''re saying. Seeing its adorable and sly demeanor, Zhu Haomiao felt both angry and amused, finally, he could only vigorously rub its head to vent. He buried his face in its soft belly inhaling a couple of breaths before feeling satisfied enough to toss the pet back onto the bed. Vaguely, Zhu Haomiao realized that keeping a pet not only relaxed him but also helped with his real-world self-awareness anchor. Thoughtfully watching Diao Chan happily scamper around the bed, Zhu Haomiao chuckled and shook his head, picking up a broom to clean the scattered garbage bags all over the floor. "In the future, after you finish eating, you need to throw the wrappers into the trash, okay?" While cleaning and advising, Diao Chan stared blankly at him, seemingly unsure, blinking its eyes cluelessly. "Ji ji~" It was just a casual comment, not expecting it to truly understand, Zhu Haomiao tidied up the mess, picking up his phone from the pillow. But just upon unlocking the screen, the young man suddenly froze. Wait, I remember putting the phone on the bedside table before I left yesterday! Moreover... it didn''t seem like I plugged it in for charging... Seeing the charger cable connected to the phone, Zhu Haomiao frowned, instinctively looking at Diao Chan beside him. Could it be... But watching that fool chasing its tail, spinning crazily on the bed, Zhu Haomiao snickered self-deprecatingly. In the Illusion Realm, nearly ten days have passed, maybe I remembered wrong... After all, no matter how human-like Diao Chan is, it surely can''t charge a phone, right? Just then, the phone in his hand vibrated, and seeing the caller ID, Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips in conflicted reluctance and answered the call unwillingly. "Hi, Senior Sister." "Haha, I just knew you''d come back! How was your first time entering the Illusion Realm?" "Uh... not bad." "Then, how about coming out for lunch?" "Uh... I have something to do..." "What''s that?" "..." "Don''t avoid it, face the difficulties courageously!" sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Huh?" What do you mean by saying something so abrupt? "Avoidance becomes a thorn buried in the [Dao Heart], might even develop into a Heart Demon in the end, to ascend to the Divine Throne, one must eradicate all spiritual hidden dangers, making Dao Heart seamless and flawless!" "..." "Uh... I''m talking about you, not myself!" "Senior Sister, you actually don''t need to explain." "..." "Anyway, come out for lunch! Same old place! Hurry up!" Hearing Ye Wan Ning''s frustrated hang-up, Zhu Haomiao scratched his head troubledly. It seems that although that incident left no physical injuries on Senior Sister, it left an indelible shadow on her spiritual level. If not faced squarely, overcome, and conquered, I''m afraid her [Dao Heart] would have a crack that can never be healed! But... how easy is it to defeat [Pride]? Even I can''t overcome it! Just resisting it, I''ve already done my utmost! Zhu Haomiao hasn''t forgotten that in that incident, the out-of-control [Pride] was only restrained because his flesh couldn''t bear it. The records of the [Book of Black] afterward also confirmed this point. Not controlling or commanding, merely opposing [Pride], made his [Dao Heart] grow by a full 100 points! Sigh... Letting out a helpless long sigh, realizing the trouble he caused for Senior Sister, Zhu Haomiao completely gave up on avoiding it. Let things take their course naturally... Cheer up! Encouraging himself inwardly, Zhu Haomiao simply tidied up, preparing to get up and go out, when suddenly he felt something tugging at his sleeve. Looking down, he saw Diao Chan, tearful, looking up at him pitifully, like an abandoned little beast whimpering aggrievedly. "Umm~~" Though knowing full well this little guy was partly acting, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t harden his heart, only helplessly opening his chest pocket. "Come in!" "Ji!" The little critter instantly became lively and cheerful, climbing up along his arm, skillfully burrowing into the boy''s shirt pocket, poking out a tiny head to curiously peek outside. Chapter 64 - 64, Invasive Species Arriving all the way at the familiar meditation room, as soon as the door opened, a beautiful couple of handsome man and pretty woman turned to look at me. "Shui, come on, we''ve been waiting for you!" My gaze was first drawn to the table full of delicious food, then to my senior sister''s charming boyfriend, Zhu Haomiao, who felt as uncomfortable as if he''d swallowed a fly, forced himself to sit down despite the discomfort. "You seem to dislike me? Did I do something to offend you?" Acutely sensing the young man''s emotions, Li Cang asked directly and frankly. "Uh..." Looking into those clear and bright eyes, Zhu Haomiao was momentarily at a loss for words, unsure how to answer. Could it be that I''m afraid you''ll turn me gay? The harshness of the original sin in the real world is really hard to suppress, I even frighten myself when I start getting nervous! Meanwhile, Ye Wan Ning, seeing Zhu Haomiao''s embarrassed look, had a mischievous smile more uncontrollable than AK''s. "Cangcang, it''s not that he doesn''t like you; on the contrary, because he likes you, he finds you annoying." Although it seemed like a nonsense comment, a hint of realization flashed in Li Cang''s eyes as he took a meaningful glance at Zhu Haomiao. "Oh." What do you mean, oh!? Don''t put on that ''I understand'' face!!! The infuriated Zhu Haomiao was just about to flip the table when a sudden excited squeal interrupted his thoughts. "Ah! What''s in your pocket? It''s so cute!" It turned out that Diao Chan, who had smelled the food, poked out a little head to sneak a peek but was startled back by Ye Wan Ning''s shout. "A pet I found, I don''t know its breed, so I brought it for you to take a look." Taking Diao Chan out of his pocket, Zhu Haomiao casually handed it to the wide-eyed Ye Wan Ning. "Chirp~ chirp~" Hugging the terrified Diao Chan in her arms, Ye Wan Ning excitedly observed and couldn''t resist scratching its little belly. "At first glance, it looks like a Munchkin cat, but on closer look, it resembles a little panda. But whatever it is, it''s just adorable~" Ye Wan Ning''s face turned red with delight, and she held onto Diao Chan tightly, nuzzling it with her pink cheeks. Next to her, Li Cang slowly furrowed his brow, giving her a dissatisfied glance. Just as Zhu Haomiao thought Li Cang would scold his senior sister, he instead reached out his hand and urged, "Hurry up! It''s my turn to play!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." How could this nerd say such a silly thing with a straight face? Seeing his senior sister reluctantly hand Diao Chan over to Li Cang, who accepted it like a rare treasure, his eyes immediately softened. Gently holding the adorable creature in his arms, his handsome face exuded a feminine tenderness as he gently stroked Diao Chan''s soft fur, a pampering yet charming smile appeared on Li Cang''s face. The inadvertent charm made Zhu Haomiao''s heart skip a beat, once again doubting his judgment. Could this guy be a woman disguised as a man? But senior sister clearly said he''s a man! And his chest is indeed flat...a normal woman couldn''t have no curve at all! You couldn''t file such a flat chest with a rasp! Yet he doesn''t have an Adam''s apple either! With his gaze involuntarily scrutinizing Li Cang back and forth, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a while and finally gritted his teeth. It doesn''t matter, the possibility that this guy has an Innate Transgender Saint Body is small, but not impossible, I better keep my distance! Having made up his mind, Zhu Haomiao''s gaze towards Li Cang became more wary, stealthily shifting away. Li Cang, however, didn''t notice Zhu Haomiao''s change in emotion, gently inspecting Diao Chan''s body while murmuring. "It has canine teeth, padded paws, retractable claws, seems like a feline, but with five toes on the hind paws, it should not be a subfamily of cats..." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help adding, "At first, its body shape looked like a ferret, long and thin, but recently, maybe it''s been eating too much, it turned into a little ball." In Li Cang''s arms, Diao Chan, restless and struggling, seemed to understand its master''s words and let out a dissatisfied howl. "Woof!" "Hmm? This little guy can bark like a dog too?" "Not just barking, it can meow like a cat and squeal like a pig, anyway, its components are quite complex..." Even Zhu Haomiao couldn''t resist poking Diao Chan''s belly, prompting it to chew playfully on his fingers. "Hmm...Animals of the Mustelinae subfamily such as ferrets have five hind toes, but their claws can''t retract, and they don''t have such big eyes and ears..." Observing the cutie, Li Cang couldn''t determine its exact species. "Chirp!" Tired of being watched, Diao Chan wriggled out of Li Cang''s embrace, grabbed a grape from the fruit platter on the table, and darted onto Zhu Haomiao''s head. Watching the creature munching on the grape while perched on the young man''s head, Ye Wan Ning eagerly offered more fruits to it. "Does it like eating fruit?" "I haven''t seen it dislike anything so far; this fellow even gnaws on wood, and it bit through my slippers a few days ago." At this moment, Zhu Haomiao suddenly remembered something. "Oh yeah, it seems to have some supernatural power, able to eat food dozens of times its own size and weight!" Upon hearing this, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang exchanged a glance and spoke in unison. "Invasive Species!" Upon hearing these words, Zhu Haomiao frowned. "Is it dangerous?" "Whether it''s dangerous depends on the species of the invasive creature, like werewolves and vampires are dangerous, but some are harmless, and the country allows them to be kept as pets, provided you register them and keep them on a leash when outside." Looking at the cutie standing on the boy''s head, licking its paw delightedly after devouring the grape, Li Cang calmly judged, "It shouldn''t be dangerous, just submit a ''supernatural pet application'' to the school." The next second, Ye Wan Ning rolled her eyes at him. "Cangcang, you forgot, Shui is not like us, he''s just a newbie at the First Layer Heaven." Upon hearing this, Li Cang lightly slapped his forehead, nodding in realization. "I overlooked that, he can''t submit the application on his own." "What''s that mean?" Zhu Haomiao felt clueless, sensing somehow being looked down upon. "It means your strength in the real world isn''t strong enough to control a supernatural pet, the school would likely reject your application." "Then can''t I just keep it without applying?" Before he finished speaking, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang spoke in unison: "No way!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." "Without a breeding permit, if someone reports it, the government will forcefully intervene, at best requiring you to complete the paperwork, at worst, it might be euthanized!" Handing a grape to Diao Chan, Ye Wan Ning stared solemnly into Zhu Haomiao''s eyes. "You don''t want it to be euthanized, do you?" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 65 - 65: Diao Chan is a Mouse "What should we do then? The application didn''t go through again?" Just as Zhu Haomiao was scratching his head in frustration, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang stepped forward in unison and spoke with one voice. "I''ll apply!" x2 After speaking, the two exchanged a surprised glance and stubbornly glared at each other. "I''ll do it!" "No! I''ll do it!" Watching the two of them ready to draw swords at any moment, not giving an inch, Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes, his gaze growing sharper, feeling like the abacus beads were about to bounce off his face. "You both aren''t planning to keep Diao Chan for yourselves, are you?" The duo, engaged in a fierce staring contest, visibly tensed up. In awkward sync, they slowly turned their heads away, one looking left, one right, pretending to admire the scenery to avoid Zhu Haomiao''s gaze. "Look into my eyes when you speak!!" "......" After an awkward silence, Ye Wan Ning laughed awkwardly, stiffly changing the subject. "Oh, so it''s called Diao Chan, huh? It really is a little beauty, so cute~" "Woof! Ha~" As if sensing its owner''s dissatisfaction, the little creature barked, puffing air fiercely yet cutely at Ye Wan Ning. "How dare you bark at me? You ungrateful thing, I just fed you grapes!" Seeing Ye Wan Ning''s defeated expression, Zhu Haomiao was both frustrated and amused. "This one isn''t the Diao Chan from the Three Kingdoms; it''s the ''glutton'' kind of ''chan''!" "Huh? Diao... Chan?" Surprised for half a second, but recalling how Zhu Haomiao mentioned it could eat several times its own weight, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang couldn''t help but chuckle. "It does seem fitting..." But Zhu Haomiao wasn''t ready to let them off the hook, steering the topic back on track. "So, why do you want to apply under your names?" With their plan exposed, Ye Wan Ning stopped pretending, bold and unyielding, she put her hands on her hips. "Because if we apply, it''ll surely be approved, and when you enter the Illusion Realm, we can help take care of Diao Chan. Isn''t that good?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao frowned slightly. S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. His biggest worry was that Diao Chan would be left unattended when he entered the Illusion Realm. What if he left for over a dozen days and it starved? After contemplating for a few seconds, Zhu Haomiao slowly nodded. "Alright, but you''re only the nominal caretakers. Usually, I''ll still be the one to take care of it." Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang exchanged a joyful glance, smiling discreetly. "No problem!" Immediately, Ye Wan Ning excitedly handed grapes one by one to Diao Chan, and the little guy accepted them all, stuffing them into its mouth. "Diao Chan, from now on I''m your sister, got it?" "Chirp~" The little creature paid no mind to what she said, continuing to stuff grapes into its mouth. However, as she continued to feed it, Ye Wan Ning raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Do you think there''s a possibility... that Diao Chan is a mouse?" "Huh?" Stunned for just half a second, Zhu Haomiao and Li Cang shook their heads in unison. "No way, it doesn''t have the big incisors of a rodent." "But it has cheek pouches like a hamster!" Pulling Diao Chan off Zhu Haomiao''s head, Ye Wan Ning pointed to the sides of its face. "Look, there are very faint spatial fluctuations here. The grapes it just ate weren''t swallowed into its stomach; they were stored in extra-dimensional cheek pouches on the sides of its face." "What?!" Zhu Haomiao''s heart skipped a beat, recalling the sight of Diao Chan randomly holding different foods in its hands to munch on. He originally thought it was just its hidden reserve food; little did he know it was stored in its cheek pouches! "But wouldn''t the food rot if it''s stored in the cheek pouches?" "Probably not; I guess time inside is frozen..." Ye Wan Ning squished Diao Chan''s cheeks, causing the little creature to flail its limbs, pretending to bite. The next moment, a banana was stuffed into its hands, and the little creature immediately beamed and shoved the banana into its mouth. Previously, no one paid attention, assuming it was swallowing it all. But this time, Zhu Haomiao finally saw clearly: Diao Chan''s cheeks bulged out prominently, yet the banana, longer than its body, strangely disappeared bit by bit into its mouth. The scene was just like a greedy hamster! "Look, the space around its mouth has been compressed, and the closer to the throat, the greater the compression ratio. Its mouth acts like a spacetime funnel, theoretically allowing it to swallow food many times its size in one bite..." Pointing at Diao Chan, who was crazily pushing the banana into its cheek pouch, Ye Wan Ning''s eyes sparkled with a faint rainbow light as she muttered with great interest. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao and Li Cang both frowned, reflexively exchanging a glance. "You can see spacetime distortion?" "No, can you?" "I can''t either." "Who in their right mind can perceive spacetime with naked eyes?" After speaking, the two seemed to understand each other, tacitly clinking the drinks on the table and simultaneously looking at Ye Wan Ning. "Shameless~" "Are you two crazy?" "Nope, please continue." "Continue, my foot! Eat! If you don''t eat soon, the dishes will get cold!" Ye Wan Ning stomped her foot in frustration, causing waves in her chest. Zhu Haomiao instinctively glanced once, quickly lowering his eyes in fear, muttering the Heart Clarity Spell in quiet contemplation. Amitabha Buddha, Infinite Venerable~ Forbid lewd thoughts! Forbid lewd thoughts! ...... After some mental self-persuasion, Zhu Haomiao successfully suppressed his restlessness, focusing his attention entirely on the table full of delicious food. After finishing a sumptuous lunch, Ye Wan Ning promptly initiated the new phase of daring experiments. "Experiment No. 279, testing the triggering conditions..." "Shui, sit tight." "Cangcang, stand here as usual. If he goes crazy, hit him as hard as you can!" "......" Zhu Haomiao raised a hand, opening his mouth to speak but held back, wanting to ask for a bit of humane treatment. However, seeing the elegant figure draped in Golden Sacred Armor beside him, he swallowed his words. I''m a tough guy, how can I be outdone by this pretty face? With inexplicable competitiveness, Zhu Haomiao sat upright, staring as Ye Wan Ning took a deep breath and slowly leaned in. Until their noses were almost touching, with warm breath faintly spraying on his face, Ye Wan Ning stopped, her face flushed. "Do you feel anything different?" Zhu Haomiao felt as if he were sitting on pins and needles, sensing a keen blade-like gaze from the side, ready to sever his head at any moment. Getting so close to someone else''s girlfriend in his presence, this was too nerve-wracking! Brother Li, could you stop lurking behind me? My back''s going cold... "No... no special feeling." Staring at the breathtaking beauty so close, while a faint restlessness brewed in his heart, Zhu Haomiao smoothly kept his mind unreceptive to temptation. "Huh? Still not enough?" Ye Wan Ning frowned in frustration, lightly biting her lip, seemingly making up her mind, and leaned a little closer. Chapter 66 - 66: Then I Wont Be Polite The lips, soft and smooth like jelly, touched his mouth and then quickly withdrew. Zhu Haomiao slowly widened his eyes, staring dumbfounded at the bashfully angry Ye Wan Ning. Afterwards, not even a second to savor the moment, Zhu Haomiao slowly and stiffly turned his head like a rusty neck, looking towards the handsome, golden silhouette beside him. Brother Li, it''s not my fault, your girlfriend made the first move! I''m a victim too! However, the anticipated furious gaze did not appear. Zhu Haomiao only saw a calm, handsome face, with eyes filled with surprise, mischief, teasing, and even relief, glancing back and forth between the two. "Li... Brother Li, are you okay?" For the first time he used an honorific, Zhu Haomiao felt very guilty. "Huh? What do you mean?" "You''re... not angry?" "Why should I be angry?" His gaze flickered between Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang for a few seconds, seeing both wearing strange expressions. A thought suddenly flashed in Zhu Haomiao''s mind. "Aren''t you two a couple?" At his words, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang exchanged a glance and couldn''t help but curl their lips in amusement. "Who told you we''re a couple? We''re just good friends. Don''t make up random stories in your head, okay?" Lightly slapping Zhu Haomiao, Ye Wan Ning bit her pink lip and shot him a white-eyed glance, the playful charming glance stirring the desires in the young man''s heart again. If only you said you weren''t a couple earlier! Then I wouldn''t be polite... Ah, no, I mean, then I wouldn''t feel awkward! Clearing his throat twice, Zhu Haomiao looked earnestly at Ye Wan Ning, his expression solemn and grave. "Senior sister, I wasn''t mentally prepared just now, could you do it again?" "Huh?" Ye Wan Ning blushed bright red, the bashful flush spreading to her cheeks, even her ears turned a cute pink. But as someone with firm resolve, once Ye Wan Ning set her mind on something, she wouldn''t easily give up. Taking a deep breath, she mustered her courage and approached once more. Her soft rosy lips touched and parted immediately. Seeing Ye Wan Ning''s shy yet expectant gaze, Zhu Haomiao smacked his lips, nodded seriously. "I couldn''t taste it... No, I felt something, but it''s still not quite there." At this point, Ye Wan Ning simply suppressed her shyness and kissed the young man''s lips firmly. sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "How was that?" "Still lacking something." "How about this?" "Still a bit less." ... Watching his friend getting played around, Li Cang, standing to the side, couldn''t take it anymore. "Oil, I think this guy is just tricking you for a kiss." Ye Wan Ning had just kissed Zhu Haomiao again when she came to her senses, looking at the young man with a critical and dangerous gaze. "I didn''t! I wasn''t!" Zhu Haomiao glared at Li Cang in annoyance. "How can you slander me out of nowhere?" It''s not even your girlfriend! What''s wrong with me stealing a couple of kisses? Oh, so you have a lot to say, huh? However, becoming wary, Ye Wan Ning cradled Zhu Haomiao''s cheeks, slowly and forcefully pulling him into a flat pancake face. "I warn you, if today''s experiment doesn''t succeed, I''ll take you down with me!" After saying that, Ye Wan Ning, as if throwing caution to the wind, kissed Zhu Haomiao hard on the lips. But this time, she didn''t rush to part; instead, she mimicked the movies, gently pressing her lips onto the boy''s chilly lips, in an inexperienced yet tender manner. His dazed pupils slowly enlarged. Staring at the peerless beauty so close, breathing in her sweet scent, Zhu Haomiao''s uncontainable instincts began to react. The most primal urge ripped open a crack on the shell of his spirit like a volcano breaking through the earth! In the next second, the primordial desire suppressed deep in his consciousness erupted through the gap, condensing into a pink, eerie mist deep in Zhu Haomiao''s pupils, slowly taking over his thoughts. Releasing [Original Sin], [lust] +20 Crack~ The handle he was gripping turned into wooden shavings under Zhu Haomiao''s grasp. Instinctively wanting to take charge, but before he could pull Ye Wan Ning into his embrace, the vigilant Li Cang restrained his hands in an instant. Sensing the anomaly, Ye Wan Ning quickly took a leap back, shouting in excitement. "That''s it, Cangcang, hold his hands for me!" "Roar!" Like a beast interrupted in a mating call, Zhu Haomiao let out a low, oppressive growl, instinctively wanting to break free from the restraints. But the figure wearing golden sacred armor pinned him down like a mountain, and no matter how the young man struggled, he didn''t budge at all. Boom! An enormous side kick swept viciously across Li Cang''s waist, but with the golden sacred armor an inch away, the protective divine light turned into a visible shield, effortlessly blocking Zhu Haomiao''s attack. It was like kicking solid steel, and the intense counterforce traveled through his leg and spread throughout his body, leaving his muscles numb and relaxed, even his bones softened and aching. Zhu Haomiao was completely numb and stiff. "The mythical bloodline he awakened must contain intense licentiousness, otherwise Shui wouldn''t lose control so easily; I suspect he has the true dragon''s bloodline!" Observing and probing, Ye Wan Ning excitedly recorded. However, the struggling young man suddenly calmed down, tilted his head slightly as if he''d discovered something delightful, and looked at Li Cang''s pretty face with a devilishly alluring smile. On the other side, meeting with those pink luminescent eyes, Li Cang felt the other''s unrestrained wild desire, an inexplicable sense of shameful pleasure surged up his spine to the top of his skull, sending tingles down his body like an electric shock! Even with the golden sacred armor''s protection, he couldn''t stop the goosebumps from rising. His spirit seemingly betraying his body, Li Cang felt weak all over, and his grip weakened slightly, allowing the young man to instantly escape and embrace him sideways. With his eyes unfocused, watching the young man''s face draw closer, Li Cang''s mind went blank, a hint of pink mist reflecting in his watering eyes. "All things are silent, the heart should be calm, let me alone in spirit, heart and mind in unity..." "Supreme Heart Clearing Spell!" It was as if a bolt of lightning struck through his mind. Li Cang''s captivating pupils instantly shrank to pinpoints, the pink mist in his eyes vanished, his whole body completely waking up. Slap~ Hand clamping Zhu Haomiao''s jaw like a pincer, Li Cang blushed furiously, using irresistible strength to push the youthful face away at a close distance. "Damn!" Despite strict upbringing, Li Cang couldn''t help but utter a curse, glaring angrily at his friend. He almost got forcibly kissed by a little brat! "Heh, isn''t that strange? I was just momentarily distracted, then he..." Mid-sentence, the gloating smile on Ye Wan Ning''s face froze, while understanding dawned on Li Cang, the smile transitioning to his face. "So you got forced kissed by him? No wonder you were going crazy at home those days! That must have been your first kiss, right?" Chapter 67 - 67: Mythical State "That doesn''t count, that doesn''t count as a first kiss!" Ye Wan Ning stubbornly refuted, but it only drew the disdainful gaze of her friend. At that moment, an impatient Zhu Haomiao intensified his struggle, and Li Cang quickly became fully alert, holding his hands down as if facing a great enemy. "Every Chinese person possesses the true dragon bloodline, but none are as domineering as him..." Not daring to meet the young man''s eyes again, Li Cang averted his gaze, his hands clamped down on the other''s hands like hydraulic clamps. "His strength has soared more than tenfold. If it weren''t for the strict reality laws and the physical limits, he might keep improving infinitely!" Upon hearing his friend''s assessment, Ye Wan Ning chuckled and shook her head. "This is just the first stage. Later, his strength will increase drastically, entering the second stage, and finally..." As if recalling a terrifying scene, Ye Wan Ning''s pupils trembled, and she used all her strength to suppress the quiver, a hint of determination rising in her eyes. "Finally, he will fully awaken, revealing his mythical state, but this once, I won''t avoid it; I will face Him directly!" Hearing these words, a hint of horror flickered in Li Cang''s eyes. "Reveal a mythical state in the real world? That''s the authority of the ''Human God''!" "Exactly, Cangcang, you have the protection of the Golden Sacred Armor. If things become unmanageable later, just evacuate immediately." Raising her head high, Ye Wan Ning deeply gazed at the frenzied boy, calmly awaiting the judgment of fate. Upon hearing this, Li Cang gazed at Ye Wan Ning for a long time, his reproachful eyes making her smile faintly and pat her majestic chest. "I said, if something happens, someone taller has to take the hit." "I''m the taller one..." He muttered quietly, looking at the out-of-control boy and the resolute friend, finally letting out a long sigh helplessly. "Should I seek revenge for you?" "No need, this isn''t his intention anyway." Ye Wan Ning smiled at Zhu Haomiao, a tenderness she herself did not realize shimmering in her clear and charming eyes. "By the way, after he releases his mythical form, he''ll fall into a very severe period of weakness. Here''s a bottle of ''Seven Treasures Sacred Blood,'' just in case... give it to him when needed." Upon hearing this, Li Cang felt even more helpless, complaining in a voice as thin as a mosquito''s hum. "That''s your ''True Object'' for survival! Damned love-struck mind..." "What did you say?" "Nothing." While they were discussing, Diao Chan, who was eating grapes on the side, stared at the scene in a daze, and the half-eaten grape in her hand fell onto the table with a plop, finally reacting and letting out a sharp explosion. "Chirp! Chirp!" In an instant, a white streak of light whizzed through the air, appearing on Zhu Haomiao''s head faster than Li Cang could react. The cute little paws grabbed its owner''s hair, pulling hard, as if riding a runaway beast, humming anxiously. "Chirp chirp chirp~~" Like the last straw that broke the camel''s back, the will that had been locked in struggle shattered. The clear spirit light deep in Zhu Haomiao''s pupils burst forth, completely overwhelming the pink mist. Control [Lust], [Dao Heart] +10 Dao Heart: LV.1¡úLV.2£¨8/200£© Huff~ huff~ huff~ With heavy breathing, Zhu Haomiao''s tensed muscles gradually relaxed, letting out a long breath of relief tinged with fear. The Original Sin [Lust] is truly terrifying! It doesn''t even spare men! Moreover, it seems to possess a sort of magic power, disturbing others'' minds and making them surrender to its "charm," willingly cooperating with it! Even more terrifying is Zhu Haomiao''s vague premonition that as [Lust] evolves to a higher level, his "aesthetic" range will expand infinitely. As long as it''s beautiful, regardless of gender or even humankind, it will enter his hunting range... And when it reaches the final stage, [Lust] will erase the barriers of reproductive isolation from a conceptual level. Theoretically, he could impregnate anything, including inanimate objects or even some abstract concepts... He could merge with stone sculptures, with the sky, with the earth, with the ocean, with the seasons... giving birth to all kinds of strange creatures... Of course, at that level, the physiological meaning of "combining" becomes negligible, more like creating in a theological sense! For some reason, Zhu Haomiao thought of the Earth Mother God¡ªGaia from Greek mythology. She also combined with all sorts of strange beings, giving birth to all sorts of strange offspring... So... will I become the "Father of All" in the future? As thoughts rushed through Zhu Haomiao''s mind, Ye Wan Ning cautiously called out from beside him. "Shui? Are you sober now?" Raising his head, Zhu Haomiao looked at Li Cang calmly yet wearily, nodding slightly. "I''m sober now, you can let go." Studying the boy for several seconds, Li Cang cautiously released him, stepping back two steps warily. "Chirp chirp chirp~" The Diao Chan on his head kept pulling his hair violently, a slight sting making Zhu Haomiao pull it down in irritation. "Alright, stop pulling. I''m fine now, you''re going to pull all my hair out!" Holding the tearful little creature in front of him, Zhu Haomiao first gently petted its head, then his expression became stern. "If I go bald early, you''ll have to take responsibility!" "Chirp~" "No chirping, off you go." Throwing Diao Chan back onto the table to continue flaunting its fruits, Zhu Haomiao finally turned to look at the two beside him. Ye Wan Ning had a complicated gaze, disappointment mixed with relief. Li Cang, on the other hand, seemed to be facing a dangerous creature ready to devour people, looking utterly intimidated, as if Zhu Haomiao made a slight move, he''d grease his feet and slip away in an instant. Pathetic, scared stiff at such a small scene! It''s just [Lust], if [Anger] or [Pride] showed up, wouldn''t you be scared out of your wits? While internally complaining, Zhu Haomiao''s gloating mood didn''t even last a second. Suddenly he realized something, and the smile on his face slowly faded. Wait, he might not actually be afraid of [Anger] or [Pride]... He''s afraid of being taken... Realizing the truth of the matter, Zhu Haomiao felt sick to his stomach as if he had swallowed a fly. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Uh... Brother Li, let me explain..." However, as soon as he spoke, Li Cang moved three meters away instantly, like a cat startled by a sudden noise. "You don''t need to justify... No, you don''t need to explain, just tell Oil whatever you have to say, I''m just here to make soy sauce!" "......" Looking at Li Cang''s expression, which screamed "don''t come any closer," Zhu Haomiao felt like he had swallowed ten thousand flies, unable to articulate it, twisted in discomfort. Grinding his teeth, he could only forcibly divert his attention, looking at Ye Wan Ning, who was smirking beside him. "Ahem, Senior Sister..." Chapter 68 - 68: I Am Scarily Strong Now "Hmm, this experiment was a complete success. You should go back and rest well. We''ll continue next time when we return from the Illusion Realm." Ye Wan Ning patted the young man''s shoulder and smiled confidently. If it weren''t for the faint pink blush lingering on her face, even Zhu Haomiao wouldn''t have guessed she had been that bold just now. Gulp~ Zhu Haomiao swallowed his saliva, instinctively wanting to refuse, but suddenly, a divine thought occurred to him. Dao Heart: LV.2 (9/200) That''s right! My Dao Heart has leveled up! Such small Lust, how could it not be easily manipulated?! The key is, I must erase the scene of kissing Li Cang from my mind!!! My orientation is normal!! Zhu Haomiao''s expression turned serious as he looked earnestly into Ye Wan Ning''s eyes. "Senior Sister, I''m ridiculously strong now. I can definitely continue kissing... oops! No, I mean I can definitely continue with the experiment!" Faced with the youth''s shameless words, Ye Wan Ning squinted her eyes little by little, revealing her cute little tiger fangs. Meanwhile, Li Cang stood to the side, staring at him with a look of both admiration and disdain. "Oil, I suspect this guy wants to take advantage of you again." "Remove the suspicion!" "Senior Sister! How can you tarnish my reputation without grounds? I was acting out of kindness, offering my body for you to kiss... oops... for you to experiment with. What kind of spirit is this? It''s the spirit of internationalism! It''s a Bodhisattva''s heart... ah ow ow ow!!!" His righteous speech was abruptly cut off, and the pitiful cry startled Diao Chan, whose fur bristled instantly, watching in terror as its master was "devoured" by a higher predator. "Chirp!!" But before it could rush forward to stop it, Ye Wan Ning had already let go, leaving a dense cluster of tiny teeth marks on Zhu Haomiao''s arm. "Take your dead rat and get out!!" With Ye Wan Ning''s embarrassed and angry low growl, Zhu Haomiao fled the classroom with Diao Chan in a fluster, running all the way back to the dormitory where he exchanged bewildered stares with his pet. "She called you a dead rat." "Chirp!" "Bite her for me next time!" "Chirp!" Whether Diao Chan understood or not, Zhu Haomiao rubbed its little head, looked at the bite marks on his hand, then contemplatively but frustratedly touched his own lips. Firstly, I have genuine feelings for Teacher Su E... Secondly, I have genuine feelings for Teacher Su E... But... Senior Sister is also very cute, and her lips are so soft, so tender, so fragrant, so sweet... Moreover, I think that Brother Li also has a captivating charm. In women''s clothes, he''d lose to no peerless beauty, and with the lights off, he can totally be used... As his thoughts scattered wildly, it took a few seconds before Zhu Haomiao snapped back to reality and gave himself a hard slap. Pah! Didn''t I swear to be devoted to Teacher Su E? It''s bad enough with Senior Sister, why am I even thinking of Brother Li? Scumbag! Beast! Animal! Despising himself internally, Zhu Haomiao suddenly had a change of heart. But to speak the truth, even being a scumbag is better than the Cat Rush Hero, right? At least it''s with a person! Only hesitating for 0.1 seconds, Zhu Haomiao promptly cleared his thoughts. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Compared to heavenly titles like ''Hermes'', ''Sheep Fancier'', and ''Cat Rush Hero''... So be it, let me be a scumbag! The thought of giving up crossed his mind, and he immediately felt the world widening, and the next second, a prompt from the Book of Black appeared. "Resolve firmed, Dao Heart +1" Zhu Haomiao: "..." I suspect you''re making fun of me, but I have no evidence! With an indignant heart, Zhu Haomiao returned to his dorm room, lay down on the soft bed, and gazed at the familiar and monotonous ceiling. Once the excitement wore off, he suddenly felt at a loss of what to do. During the Ascension Competition, there''s no need to attend classes, and the next entry to the Illusion Realm would have to wait until tomorrow morning. This period isn''t too long nor too short. What to do? Sleep? No way! How could I be so slothful?! After careful thought and analysis, Zhu Haomiao turned over with vigor, picked up his phone, and started scrolling through short videos. Indeed... short videos are the ultimate time-killer... But, why are there so many food videos? Food doesn''t compare to the fragrance of a Bodhisattva? Having just had a hearty meal, Zhu Haomiao ruthlessly swiped away, only to hear an anxious whimper in his ear. "Chirp~" Glancing side-eye at Diao Chan nestled by his face, Zhu Haomiao suspiciously furrowed his brows. "Do you want to watch food?" "Chirp~" "No, we need to watch educational videos. At your age, I was already going to school on my own!" "Chirp??" "Wait a minute, let me find some Quantum Mechanics for you to broaden your horizons!" "Chirp!?" Soon, a teacher''s calm and wise voice sounded from the phone. "Quantum Mechanics Chapter One, Wave Functions and Schr?dinger''s Equation, the main topics covered in this chapter include: statistical interpretation of wave functions, Schr?dinger''s Equation, and the principle of quantum state superposition." "First, we must understand the wave nature of real particles since radiation and particles both have wave and particle properties. So, how do we understand these two attributes? Classical physics cannot explain..." Individually, Zhu Haomiao understood each Chinese character''s meaning, but combined, it was like reading from the Book of Heaven. In less than five minutes, both man and pet drifted into a sweet slumber, with the phone beside the pillow still playing the teacher''s hypnotic lecture. When Zhu Haomiao opened his eyes next time, it was already the next morning. "Hmm hmm hmm~~~" Slightly tilting his head, seeing Diao Chan who was licking him awake while whimpering, Zhu Haomiao scrunched his mouth disdainfully. "Hungry again?" "Chirp!" "Did you learn yesterday''s Quantum Mechanics?" "Chirp?!!" "At your age, how can you sleep so much?!" "Chirp?" "When I was your age, I had already finished self-studying Quantum... hmm... self-studying ideological and moral education!" "Chirp chirp chirp chirp!!" Not listening to what its owner was saying at all, Diao Chan jumped on his face and licked wildly. "Alright, alright, everything at home has been eaten by you. I haven''t had time to buy more." "Chirp?!" Seeing Diao Chan''s shocked, pitiful, helpless, and hungry look, Zhu Haomiao helplessly scratched his head and climbed out of the warm bed. "Sigh... I''ll go get some for you now!" "Chirp chirp chirp chirp~~" After a simple wash, Zhu Haomiao habitually picked up his phone to take a look, finding that Senior Sister had sent a message last night. "The application has been submitted. I left your address and phone number. The breeding certificate will be sent directly to you, remember to check for it." It took him a moment to recall yesterday''s discussion, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment, then replied with two words. "Thank you." However, just as the message was sent, an automated reply appeared. "I''ve entered the Illusion Realm. Please leave a message if you have anything." Looking at the text on his phone screen, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably felt a trace of loneliness akin to an empty-nester. Teacher Su E is like this, Senior Sister is like this... Even I am like this... everyone is so busy... "Sigh~" Being busy is good... Chapter 69 - 69: My Appetite is Pretty Good "Sigh~" With a sigh, Zhu Haomiao threw the inexplicable sadness to the back of his mind, and went out to buy a huge amount of pet snacks for Diao Chan, organizing them into the fridge. "The beef tendons and horse tendons are for your teeth, stop chewing on my slippers!!" "Squeak~" "Salmon is expensive, you''re only allowed one packet a day!" "Squeak!" "I bought you a water dispenser; 4 liters of pure water is enough for you to swim in. If you dare sniff around the toilet bowl again, I''ll squeeze you to death!" "Squeak~" "Oh, and remember to flush the toilet after using it; last time you forgot!" "Squeak~~" Gently tapping Diao Chan''s pink little nose, Zhu Haomiao nagged endlessly, but as he was about to leave, seeing its tearful eyes clinging to his pants leg, a slight reluctance arose in his heart. "Don''t cling, I''ll be back in one or two days at most, play at home like a good boy!" He picked up Diao Chan for a petting, then tossed it back onto the bed and left the dorm without looking back. All the way to the Boundary Pass, this time the crowd was noticeably thinner, and Zhu Haomiao quickly entered the main building without queuing for long. "Zhu Haomiao, expected to leave the country in 60 seconds, please prepare." Hearing the prompt on the broadcast, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath and confidently stepped into the Gate. Passing through the chaotic membrane between illusion and reality, after a momentary dizziness and weightlessness, Zhu Haomiao opened his eyes to find himself in the hotel''s washroom. Blinking and looking at his dark sportswear, he connected with his previous memory, and the young man walked out of the washroom, leaving the suite. But just as he opened the door, he ran into the butler who was about to knock. "Mr. Zhu, you''ve finally come out!!!" Seeing the butler''s tearful face, Zhu Haomiao subtly pursed his lips. "How long did I sleep?" "Two weeks! A full two weeks!!" Do you know what I''ve been through these two weeks!! Looking at the butler frantically raising two fingers, Zhu Haomiao calmly nodded. "I understand, calm down." Hearing the young man''s nonchalant response, as if he hadn''t been asleep for two whole weeks without food or drink, only took a quick nap, the white-haired butler felt thousands of words churning in his chest, yet could only let out a bitter sigh in the end. "As long as you''re okay." "Mm, by the way, can you order food from outside here?" Mentioning the real matter, the butler instantly perked up, politely replying. "We cooperate with all major hotels in Shanghai; whatever you want to eat, I can order for you." "Great, please order a meal from Xinghua House in my name; they''ll know what to do, and have it delivered to my room." "As you wish." Watching the butler retreat respectfully, Zhu Haomiao held his empty stomach and returned to his room, gazing out at the Shanghai skyline, his mind began to drift into various random thoughts. If I buy up thousands of acres around the Bund at current prices, won''t I be rich in a hundred years? Or just take over Pudong outright? Mental musings spun aimlessly, not knowing how much time passed, until Zhu Haomiao heard a knock on the door, softly responding. "Come in." The door opened, and the butler, along with a group of waiters, entered one by one, pushing the dining cart, setting out a feast in the dining room. "Mr. Zhu, I mentioned your name, stressed that there''s only one of you, but they still prepared so many dishes, saying you''ll definitely finish them all..." Seeing the butler''s troubled expression, Zhu Haomiao nonchalantly laughed it off. "My appetite is quite large." The butler blinked, looking at the table large enough for 20 people, smiled awkwardly and nodded in agreement. "Well, then I wish you a pleasant meal." "Mm." Once the butler and waiters retreated, Zhu Haomiao sat at the main seat, eating leisurely, suppressing the urge of Gluttony, and took two to three hours to finish the entire table of dishes. "Gluttony +10, Dao Heart +1" Hmm~ Stretching contentedly, Zhu Haomiao found that after Dao Heart leveled up, it became even more powerful at suppressing Original Sin in the Illusion Realm. He easily consumed many times his usual limit, without feeling any difficulty! Having the butler tidy up the dining room, Zhu Haomiao checked the amount of nutrition stored in his four-dimensional stomach and seriously instructed him. "I need to rest again for a while, don''t disturb me." Upon hearing this, the white-haired butler''s eyelid twitched, looking at Zhu Haomiao in horror. No words were needed; his expressive face clearly conveyed his inner fear. You''re going to "rest" again? You''ve already "rested" for two whole weeks! Aren''t you afraid of mold? But despite his reluctance, professional courtesy did not allow him to question the client, so he nodded respectfully. "As you wish, have a pleasant rest." After sending off the outsiders, Zhu Haomiao routinely locked the room, returned to the bedroom, stripped naked, and comfortably snuggled into the bed. Full and satisfied, Sloth! Activate! Supernatural authority descended quietly, Zhu Haomiao''s conscious mind swiftly became foggy, gray-white threads invisible to the human eye emerged from the void, wrapping around him like living creatures, forming a massive illusory cocoon room. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A subtle and profound transformation, unnoticed by others, began quietly, and the heartbeat and breathing of the sleeping young man became softer and gentler, eventually falling into absolute silence as if lifeless. And while Zhu Haomiao was peacefully dozing, the effects of his presence in this world continued to ferment. ...... "So, you''re saying this thing is still alive?" In the police station within the Public Leased Territory, a group of people stared at the grotesquely evil huge insect cocoon, their expressions as if they had tasted something foul. A Taoist extinguished the talisman in his hand, the profound light in his eyes gradually fading, shaking his head. "It can hardly be called ''alive,'' I can only say it still shows signs of life, but its soul and consciousness have probably long been dissolved..." Several officials with braided queues and Westerners with golden hair and blue eyes exchanged uncertain glances, finally asked with determination. "Taoist, can you tell which demon is at work?" The Taoist pondered for a moment, then decisively shook his head. "Too strange, never seen anything like it." "I told you these ignorant Qing people are useless, we should get the priest to have a look!" Several Westerners whispered in English, and a young attendant soon discreetly exited the room, heading directly to the nearest church. But before they could come to any conclusion, a constable with a pigtail rushed into the room, his expression frantic as he approached. Chapter 70 - 70: Gabriel "Sir, Lord Murray has been found!" "What? Where is he? Is he okay?!" Several Westerners looked terrified and excitedly grabbed the constable to ask. Originally, they all thought that Murray, missing for so long, must have been killed, and they had already divided up his estate. Now they were being told he''s alive? No, he must die! Exchanging a silent glance, the Westerners quietly reached a consensus, their eyes filled with ruthless malice. On the other side, facing the questions from the Western gentlemen, the constable could only twitch his face into a pained expression. "Uh... not very well... Never mind, you''ll see for yourselves..." Saying this, the constable waved his hand, and someone behind him brought forward a bizarre "remnant" the size of a twenty-to-thirty-pound watermelon. As that strange object was placed on the table, indistinguishable as human, everyone present swallowed hard. "This... is Lord Murray?" "Yes, confirmed by scent and the remaining fragments of clothing also matched what Lord Murray wore that day." "But... how did he become like this?" The Songjiang Prefecture Governor, with his braided hair, felt his scalp go numb, inexplicably reminded of sugarcane dregs squeezed dry! "Cause of death? What was the cause of death?" "He was probably put into a machine and crushed to death. Look, all his bones were crushed, even the marrow was squeezed out..." The constable pointed to the thirty-centimeter remnant on the table and whispered heavily. "He should have been a man over six feet tall, but when we found him, this was all that was left, brain matter, blood, organs, bone marrow... completely gone..." Upon hearing this, the previously cheerful Westerners suddenly felt chills down their spines, inexplicably feeling a cold wind pouring into their collars, their bodies covered in goosebumps. If the murderer could kill Murray, they could kill them too! "Master Guo! You must give us an explanation for this!" With despair and indignation, several Westerners who each bore their own agendas instantly united, glaring angrily at the Songjiang Prefecture Governor and shouting in grief and anger. "Murray was our brother, our beloved family and friend!" "He was killed on your Qing Country''s land, and if you can''t find the killer, don''t blame us for taking action ourselves!" Robbers by nature, always looking for trouble even in peace, now had a ready excuse, instinctively wanting to expand their colonial privileges. And their Governor would undoubtedly support them! This tactic of relentless pressure had worked unfailingly in the South Asia Subcontinent, and they believed it wouldn''t be long before this vast and ancient country became their colony, the brightest jewel in the Empress''s crown! Surrounded by them, Guo Shoudong, the Songjiang Prefecture Governor, instantly broke out in a cold sweat, drops of cold sweat trickling down his plump face. If this provoked the wrath of the allies, leading to another plunder of the Imperial City, he wouldn''t just lose his official cap but might even lose his head! "Gentlemen! Please calm down! Please!" Guo Shoudong repeatedly bowed pleadingly, humbly appeasing them. "I will solve this case as soon as possible and ensure your satisfaction!" Upon hearing this, the Westerners still seemed unappeased, but just then, a priest walked in, and upon seeing the giant insect cocoon surrounded by everyone, instinctively made a cross on his chest. "Oh God..." "Father Mar!" Seeing him, the Westerners immediately gathered around, as if finding their backbone. "Father, you''re finally here. Please take a look at what evil caused this!" They led Father Mar to the table, and after examining the "insect cocoon" for a while, he noticed the inconspicuous remnant nearby, frowning as he asked. "What''s this?" "This... is Lord Murray?" "What?!!" Father Mar''s pupils widened in shock, unable to believe that this thing resembling industrial waste was actually the devout believer who attended church every week! That was a tall, robust, kind gentleman!! How did he become like this? "Murray... how did he end up like this?" "We don''t know either, which is why we asked you to take a look. Do you think this might be the work of vampires?" Faced with everyone''s speculation, Father Mar observed for a long time and shook his head gravely. "Vampires do not possess such power. Victims usually die from blood loss, not being squeezed into this shape. This is more like the remains of a sacrifice from some evil ritual..." "Could it be local demons from the Qing Country?" "That, I am not sure of..." As they debated, a clear voice sounded from behind. "May I take a look?" Hearing this, everyone turned to notice a petite figure in a white gold cloak standing in the corner. "Mr. Gabriel." Father Mar, with a complex expression, invited the figure to the front. In the presence of everyone, she slowly pulled down her hood to reveal an exquisitely flawless face of unparalleled beauty. Like an angel descending to the mortal world, an invisible Holy Light illuminated the room, captivating everyone present. They could only admire her reverently, as if finding the meaning of their existence. "Oh God!" Only after several seconds did the Westerners come back to their senses, subconsciously making a cross on their chests, and they peeked at Father Mar. "Who is this?" "A high-ranking figure from the local church..." Father Mar muttered bitterly. Since her arrival in the Far East, she actually believed in the teachings about God''s love for humankind, causing widespread discontent among local church staff, hindering many works to the point that even he dared not exorcise the little boy anymore! However, the angelic young woman paid no attention to the others'' gazes. She calmly observed the two eerie objects on the table, golden pupils faintly glowing. "The authority of Exotic Realm Demon Gods, a very high position..." Hearing her assessment, Father Mar couldn''t help but ask. "How high a position?" She merely glanced at him and replied flatly. "As high as mine." "......" S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. You damn well think you''re the Archangel Gabriel?! Paying no mind to Father Mar''s twitching gaze, the young woman drew a long sword from her waist, tracing a chilling arc through the air. The enormous insect cocoon silently cracked open, oozing a nauseating pus, instantly filling the room with a stench akin to a rotting corpse. "Ugh!!!" In just a few seconds, everyone in the room rushed outside to retch, leaving only the young woman standing, frowning deeply. After observing for more than a dozen seconds, she finally made her way out of the room leisurely, breathing in the fresh air outside. "Two Hell Lord level demon gods have begun intervening in this world. I hope the church can send more priests to the Far East to quell this disaster quickly." Walking to Father Mar, the young woman calmly instructed him. Chapter 71 - 71: Extraordinary Charm Yet upon hearing her words, Father Mar merely nodded with a forced smile. "I will report it to the higher-ups, but I''m of no importance, so I fear it won''t have any effect..." Hearing this, Gabriel just gazed at him deeply and sighed with some regret. "Ignorant sinner... May God forgive you..." Watching the young girl put on her platinum hood and slowly walk away, Father Mar sneered disdainfully and spat fiercely. "Bah! Does she really think she is an Angel?" ............. Time flew by like a fleeting horse. Except for being woken by hunger a few times to have some feasts, Zhu Haomiao spent almost all this time in bed. Like a hibernating snake, remaining in deep sleep for a long time, he became very insensitive to the passage of time, only knowing that his spirit and body were undergoing an exaggeratedly rapid transformation and strengthening. And as his [Dao Heart] leveled up to LV.2, he spent nearly 20 days in the Illusion Realm before feeling fatigued. After resting for two days in the real world, he dove back into the Illusion Realm without hesitation. Finally, one morning, Zhu Haomiao opened his eyes, feeling that most of his accumulated attributes were finally completely digested! With a thought, the six-dimensional information from the [Book of Black] appeared before his eyes. [God]: 3.7 [Dexterity]: 3.6 [Strength]: 3.5 [Essence]: 3.4¡ü(1) [Qi]: 3.4¡ü(2) [Body]: 3.5¡ü(1) Clenching his fists, feeling the power within him far exceeding that of a mortal, and taking another look at the [Dragon Emblem] which had somehow turned to bronze, Zhu Haomiao stretched contentedly. Continuing to sleep would cause half of his attribute growth to stagnate, unable to maximize benefits... Time to get some fries at the dock... no, it''s time to take some tasks from the [Yanhuang Armory]! Getting up and taking a hot shower, looking at the handsome and refined young man in the mirror, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but smile with satisfaction. Although in reality, his body was still quite skinny, in the Illusion Realm it had expanded like a balloon, becoming truly robust! And the state in the Illusion Realm would inversely affect reality, so in a sense, his current form could be considered a future state in reality. Touching the eight-pack abs like chocolate bars, then pounding his thick chest muscles, Zhu Haomiao clenched his fists, applying force throughout his body. As he activated them, his muscles bulged and protruded like armor, folding and shifting as if they were a suit of armor, full of both elegance and a violent beauty. Unlike the exaggerated dimensions of professional bodybuilders, Zhu Haomiao''s growth seemed influenced by the Authority of [Lust], always maintaining the most golden ratio. Simply gazing at this perfectly shaped body, it was as if one could perceive the creator''s painstaking efforts, even faintly feeling a trace of divinity. No... It''s not divinity, it''s demonic nature! Staring at the figure in the mirror, for a moment, even Zhu Haomiao himself felt a slight urge to lick the screen, taking a sharp breath. This one''s terrifying! If not eliminated today, he will surely become a great threat in the future! Wait, I''m this one?! Then it''s fine! After thoroughly admiring the figure in the mirror, Zhu Haomiao put on a black suit, noticing his figure seemed taller! He seemed to have grown a few centimeters... His face wasn''t as youthful as before... Touching his cheek, Zhu Haomiao uncertainly pursed his lips and soon dismissed this trivial matter. With growth in the Illusion Realm, such phenomena are inevitable, nothing to be surprised about. What''s more noteworthy is the slight "side effects" produced during this decadent period. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Gluttony]: LV.1 (66¡ú96/100) [Sloth]: LV.2 (0¡ú115/200) Being "decadent" for over 20 days, [Gluttony] was on the verge of leveling up, [Sloth]''s experience value directly skyrocketed by over half, truly growing stronger by eating and sleeping! Zhu Haomiao faintly sensed that just these two Authorities of [Sloth] and [Gluttony] might yield greater benefits than ordinary people''s hard training! And for the same level of Original Sin, he had five more! With a deep sigh, Zhu Haomiao donned his cloak, called for his butler, and instructed him to settle the bill and check out. "Mr. Zhu, you are welcome to visit again. The Holiday Hotel will always be your home." Seeing the young man off to the door, the old butler reluctantly bade farewell, as if seeing a moving gold mountain leaving him, even bringing a tear to his eye. What a great guest! All he did was eat and sleep, like a pig, requiring no worry at all! The key thing is he''s generous with his money, truly wishing he could stay in the hotel forever... The other side, unaware of the old butler''s yearning, Zhu Haomiao stretched under the sun, his body joints cracking loudly. "Mmm~~" Letting out a comfortable moan, the young man strolled forward, blending into the crowd, soon disappearing from the butler''s sight. Minutes later, following a mystic sense, Zhu Haomiao arrived at a wealthy district of the Public Leased Territory, from afar gazing at that sprawling luxurious villa, raising an intrigued smile. Not seen for some time, that guy was thriving! Indeed, turning dark increases strength tenfold, washing white weakens by three degrees! As long as you set aside a bit of morality and conscience, the money is simply endless! Observing the meticulous patrols of mercenaries, Zhu Haomiao gave up the idea of sneaking in, instead resonating from a distance using the [Book of Black]''s mysterious perception. Buzz~ Hundreds of meters away, sitting in the study of the villa, Wilson suddenly raised his head, looking in a certain direction, his gaze seemingly piercing through the barriers of space and time, seeing a vague silhouette. "My lord..." Ghostly murmuring from his mouth, Wilson carefully took out a long-prepared briefcase from the safe and walked straight out of the villa. "Boss!" The bodyguards outside instinctively wanted to follow, but Wilson stopped them. "I''m going out for a bit, I''ll be right back, you don''t need to follow." The robust, strong bodyguards exchanged glances, hesitating for a second before nodding. "Boss, be careful." "Hmm." Wilson responded perfunctorily, quickly disappearing from everyone''s sight. Walking briskly all the way to a finely crafted small park a few hundred meters away, hidden in a corner shrouded in vegetation, Wilson finally saw the mysterious figure who had summoned him. The wicked, dark, tall silhouette reflected in his pupils swayed and writhed like twisting black flames. Like a knight loyal to a king, Wilson half-knelt on the ground, one hand clenched in a fist on the ground, lowering his head deeply. "My lord." "Rise." With a wave of his hand, the young man turned around, extending his hand calmly, while Wilson, as if sensing it, obediently placed the briefcase in the young man''s hand with both hands, respectfully explaining. "My lord, the assets you gave me last time have been liquidated into 12,500 taels of silver, plus an additional 793 British Pounds in cash, exchanged for 5,500 taels of silver, totaling 18,000 taels." Chapter 72 - 72: Child of Destiny "Oh, did it cause you any trouble?" Stuffing the silver note from the briefcase into his pocket, Zhu Haomiao asked casually. Understanding the deeper meaning in the young man''s words, Wilson replied solemnly. "No, Lord Murray, who owned these assets, has disappeared. Many people are dividing his wealth, I just got the biggest piece without arousing anyone''s suspicion." "That''s good..." Zhu Haomiao nodded slightly, about to turn and leave, but suddenly seemed to remember something, flicking his thumb lightly. "A reward for you." Buzz~ The vibration of the metal in the air let out a crisp hum, as a dazzling gold light drew a beautiful arc across the air, landing precisely in Wilson''s palm. In an instant, a dark glow burgeoned in Wilson''s eyes, and the gold coin in his palm gradually melted into a viscous, inky black liquid, seeping into his skin bit by bit, converging toward his head through his veins. The pitch-black veins, like living creatures, protruded and wriggled upwards from his palm, spreading up to his neck, growing like tree roots until they covered his entire face. Looking at that face, twisted like an evil spirit, Zhu Haomiao sensed genuine joy, pleasure, and satisfaction in his eyes... as if his very existence was for these little gold coins! Curling his lips coldly, Zhu Haomiao shook his head disdainfully and pityingly. Such foolish greed, unable to even perceive one''s own transformation... In the young man''s leisurely lament, several minutes passed before the anomalies surrounding Wilson slowly calmed, and the wormlike blood vessels on his face gradually faded, restoring him to the appearance of an elegant, detached gentleman. And by this time, Zhu Haomiao could not only sense his location from a distance, but, under concentrated thought, could even observe the surrounding situation through his eyes and ears. Tsk... how is this more and more like the means of an Evil God controlling his believers? I''m clearly a sunny, cheerful young man! With a disdainful curl of his lips, Zhu Haomiao flicked his cape and turned to leave, leaving Wilson to bow deeply behind him, holding his hat to his chest. Several minutes later, the young man familiarly arrived at the [Yanhuang Armory], opened the door, and saw Senior Brother Wang sitting idly at the front desk reading a newspaper. "Senior Brother Wang, why aren''t you playing with the tablet today?" Hearing the teasing, Senior Brother Wang looked up and saw a familiar face, humorously retorting. "That tablet is a [True Object], and currently there''s only one in the entire Illusion Realm, so I can only play with it during non-working hours." As he spoke, Senior Brother Wang suddenly noticed the color of the emblem on the young man''s chest, his eyes widened, and he sat up straight. "You''ve been promoted?" Following his gaze to his own chest, Zhu Haomiao smiled calmly. "Yes, a small advancement." Senior Brother Wang took a sharp breath and muttered. "Less than two Virtual Moons, no, taking away the time for returning and readjusting, less than one Virtual Moon, and you''ve been promoted to Bronze?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao looked at him with pure and innocent eyes, asking naively. "Is it difficult?" Most of my time was spent digesting, and I only really ''cultivated'' for a couple of days... No, to be precise, it was only a few hours! Senior Brother Wang: "..." I spent one full Virtual Year back then! The teacher even praised me for being outstanding! With a twisted expression, Senior Brother Wang gave a dry laugh. "No... not difficult, for you [God''s Destiny] it''s basic operation." "Oh." Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully, watching Senior Brother Wang beside him gnash his teeth in dismay. Curse those [God''s Destiny] elites, may you never find a girlfriend in your life!!! "By the way, where''s Senior Brother Feng? I have something to discuss with him." Mentioning business, Senior Brother Wang quickly suppressed his inner jealousy, pointing to a nearby reception room. "He''s receiving guests, you should wait a moment, he should be out soon." "Oh? What illustrious guest requires Senior Brother Feng to personally receive them?" After a few encounters, Zhu Haomiao already understood Senior Brother Feng''s status. As the head of [Yanhuang Armory] in this world, he is basically like the company president and generally would not easily receive guests. Unless... that guest is very special, with a status noble enough that the top leader must personally appear to be considered appropriate. Curious, he peered towards the reception room, but the blinds blocked all prying eyes, forcing Zhu Haomiao to withdraw his gaze in resignation. Seeing this, Senior Brother Wang''s eyes rolled slyly, and he handed over his newspaper with ill intent. "Care to read the news? Little Britain is causing trouble again lately." Taking the newspaper from Senior Brother Wang, Zhu Haomiao solemnly corrected him. "It''s Great Britain, at least for now, we can''t be racially discriminatory..." But when he spread the newspaper open, the full pages of English stung his eyes, making him barely able to glance at the headline with difficulty. "Sick man of East Asia?" Patient... East Asia... Sick man of East Asia?!! Zhu Haomiao''s eyes bulged, and a burst of anger surged from his chest but was then quickly suppressed by his strong [Dao Heart]. Don''t let emotions show, stay calm! Stay calm! According to the Global Transcendent Morality Charter, the behavior of Illusion Realm natives cannot be blamed on descenders... What a load of crap!! I''ll beat the hell out of those Little Britain scum! Viciously crumpling the newspaper into a ball, Zhu Haomiao frowned at the gloating Senior Brother Wang. "When they''re taunting us so blatantly, don''t you guys have any reaction?" Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Wang shrugged both hands. "I''m a staff member of the Ascension Competition Organizing Committee; others are also in public service roles, and we can''t act without higher approval." Finishing, he gave Zhu Haomiao a meaningful wink. "But you guys are different, you''re still minors, what kind of bad intention can little kids have? Even if you make a tiny mistake, the country will only forgive you~" Understanding Senior Brother Wang''s instigation, Zhu Haomiao thought for a moment, furrowing his brow in difficulty. Finding a way to retaliate is a major problem, it must be open and forceful while not leaving any handle on oneself, and the hardest part is to strike those mouthy natives until they concede sincerely! But... with the current international situation, those guys will always be stubborn! Even if I beat them to death and nail them in coffins, they''ll still shout from their graves with decayed vocal cords: ''Such a trifling fatal wound, it''s nothing! The sick man of East Asia is just a loser~'' Envisioning that scene, Zhu Haomiao''s handsome features all scrunched into a frown. Without discourse power, they can freely invert black and white, slander and defame you, while you''re gagged, unable to refute. "Senior Brother Wang, what do you think might be a small mistake I could accidentally make?" Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Emmm... honestly, I don''t have a very concrete plan, besides maybe beating up every famous foreigner in this world one by one..." Senior Brother Wang smacked his lips in resignation, sighing helplessly. "But that would most likely provoke the [Child of Destiny] of this plane, and you''d definitely die a horrible death..." Chapter 73 - 73: Heaven-defying Fate Changing Hearing a new concept, Zhu Haomiao blinked and couldn''t help asking. "Child of Destiny? Is it powerful?" "Uh... It''s not about being powerful or not, but the entire Heavenly Dao of the Illusion Realm favors them, making them the protagonist of this world!" "If you become an enemy with them, you''re equivalent to becoming an enemy of the entire world!" "Of course, risks and opportunities coexist. If you can change the fate of the [Main Character], it''s equivalent to altering the entire world line, and you will draw a vast amount of Qi Fortune." "These intangible Qi Fortuna are the only things that can help you in your [Heaven-defying Fate Changing] when you ascend!" Heaven-defying Fate Changing?! Slowly savoring these four words, Zhu Haomiao recalled information he saw in a forum post. It was said that differences in Fate Grids like [Mortal Destiny], [Heroic Destiny], and [God''s Destiny] can not only be preordained but can also be changed through postnatal efforts! The method is through [Heaven-defying Fate Changing] during each layer of ascension! Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but continue to ask. "Senior Brother Wang, can [God''s Destiny] also be changed?" Upon hearing these words, Senior Brother Wang looked at the young boy with eyes full of envy and jealousy, clenched his fists in indignation, and said. "Why not? [God''s Destiny] is a broad term, and the gap between the top and bottom layers might be larger than from [Mortal Destiny] to [God''s Destiny]!" "You are already outrageous, and if you undergo [Heaven-defying Fate Changing], I can''t imagine how disgusting it would be!" Seeing his indignant, teeth-grinding look, Zhu Haomiao politely but awkwardly tugged at the corners of his mouth. Why are you shouting so loudly???! I''m also a Mortal Destiny! At this moment, not far away, the door to the reception room quietly opened, and a blond girl, exquisite like an angel in a platinum cloak, walked out first, followed by a frowning Feng Zhaobai. Halfway through, the girl slowly turned to look at Feng Zhaobai, sighed worriedly. "The church in this dimension has already fallen and corrupted, unworthy of trust, and I can only entrust this matter to you guys." "Hmm, we will closely monitor the development of the situation." Upon hearing this, the blond girl shook her head solemnly. "The power of the Exotic Realm Demon Gods will quickly overflow and strengthen. This is the land of Dragons, and if a [Doomsday Level] disaster occurs, it doesn''t align with your interests." "I hope the [Dragon] will turn its attention to this world and send more strength to intervene, to extinguish the source before disaster takes shape." "With your strength, this should be a trivial matter." "Moreover... if there''s anything that needs help, please don''t hesitate to contact me, I''ll do my utmost to eradicate evil." After saying that, the girl gave Feng Zhaobai an elegant noble salute, put on a platinum hood covering most of her face, and slowly walked toward the main door. When she passed by Zhu Haomiao, as if attracted by some unseen force, the young boy and girl simultaneously looked at each other, and a violent divine fluctuation exploded in the depths of their pupils at the same time. It''s just that Zhu Haomiao''s eyes held bottomless dark light, while the girl''s eyes burned with blazing platinum Holy Light. Their ethereal gazes seemed to collide tangibly, and in an instant, the time-space between them silently twisted and rippled, sending spherical ripples like water. The next second, everyone in the entire building sensed a terrifying fluctuation fleeting by, inexplicably raising goosebumps. The fiercely clashing gazes were withdrawn in an instant, and the girl, surprised yet polite, nodded at Zhu Haomiao, then slowly walked out the main door. After walking dozens of meters away, the beautiful blond girl finally looked back at the inconspicuous building behind her, placed her hand on her chest, felt the intense heartbeat, and savored the extremely unfamiliar emotion¡ªfear! "Even the Blazing Angel standing at the pinnacle of Supreme Heaven would tremble in fear, is he that [Abyss]?" "Dragon''s Son... truly a daunting name..." The violent beating in her chest slowly calmed, and the girl took a last deep glance at the [Yanhuang Armory], then turned and left without looking back. Meanwhile, in the nearby hall, Zhu Haomiao also watched in the direction where the girl left, his brow tightly knit. Feng Zhaobai, observing the boy''s subtle expressions, asked meaningfully. "Do you know her?" "No, I just find her rather annoying..." Even though she was an absolute beauty, Zhu Haomiao strangely felt no strong desire for her, but rather a visceral impatience and aversion. But soon Zhu Haomiao realized that this emotion didn''t stem from his true feelings, but from the repulsion of power attributes! S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If he simply recalled her flawless face, [Lust] would still respond... "By the way, who is that person? How did she come to our [Yanhuang Armory]?" "Archangel Gabriel, she discovered signs of Exotic Realm Demon God invasion and suspected that cultists from reality had entered this world to stir up trouble. She hopes we can intervene to quell the disaster." "Wait, Gabriel? Is it the Gabriel I''m thinking of?" Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s astonished expression, Feng Zhaobai gave a knowing smile. "That''s right, it''s the Gabriel you''re thinking of, the Blazing Angel from the Bible who blows the trumpet of Doomsday Judgment." "..." Isn''t that supposed to be a fictional character? How can a paper figure come to life? Wait, all myths in this world correspond to some Illusion Realm of the High Sky Rank, so if we consider angels and demons as some special Invasive Species, their existence isn''t that hard to accept... Zhu Haomiao pressed his lips tightly with a grim face, finally understanding why he felt annoyed as soon as he saw her. That existence and his [Book of Black] were obviously in conflict, with clashing elements! On the other side, observing the boy''s ever-changing complex expression, Feng Zhaobai subtly changed the subject. "By the way, I heard you were looking for me? What''s the matter?" Upon mentioning official business, Zhu Haomiao shook his head to dispel distractions, looking sincerely at Feng Zhaobai. "Senior Brother Feng, I want to take on some tasks." Glancing instinctively at the boy''s chest and noticing that his [Dragon Emblem] had turned to a bronze luster, although Feng Zhaobai was mentally prepared and knew he''d grow at an incredible rate, witnessing this terrifying growth speed in person, he couldn''t help but secretly click his tongue. "As expected of the [Dragon''s Son], what a freak..." "Senior Brother Feng, what did you say?" "Nothing, follow me." Taking the tablet, Feng Zhaobai led Zhu Haomiao into the reception room, getting straight to the point. "I''ve selected a few tasks for you; they''re all Expert Level, each with a 100-point reward, but correspondingly, the difficulty is high, generally sending a Bronze Initial Rank would be courting death..." Speaking, Feng Zhaobai handed the tablet to Zhu Haomiao, gave him a significant look, and changed his tone. "However, if it''s you, it shouldn''t be a problem." Chapter 74 - 74: Let Me See If You Are Sufficiently Provocative! Zhu Haomiao: "..." Senior Brother, do you have some misunderstandings about me? You have even more inexplicable confidence in me than I have in myself! Looking at the tasks Feng Zhaobai carefully selected, Zhu Haomiao frowned more and more as he read them. Until, when reading the detailed intelligence of one particular task, his eyes suddenly lit up. Target Strength: Silver Peak Level Combat Style: Japanese samurai Note: The target is cautious, possessing a strong sense of counter-surveillance, but extremely lustful, often lingering in various major brothels. Lustful? How lustful? If we''re talking about this, then I''m wide awake! Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao immediately made up his mind. I''ve decided on you! Pikachu! Let me see just how lustful you really are! "Are you sure this is the mission?" "Yes." "The mission duration is three Virtual Moons, if not completed by then, it will automatically be considered a failure and re-enter the task pool." "No problem!" "Alright, since you''ve taken the task, more detailed intelligence will be unlocked for you, but you are not allowed to take it out of this building." Handing Zhu Haomiao a thick stack of documents, Feng Zhaobai was about to leave when he was suddenly stopped. "Senior Brother Feng, what''s so special about this ordinary Japanese native? Why does the Yanhuang Armory need to personally issue a mission to eliminate him?" Hearing the boy''s question, Feng Zhaobai chuckled helplessly. "Do you know what year it will be in two years?" "Uh..." Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s embarrassment, Feng Zhaobai sighed deeply and softly uttered two words. "Jiawu." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes suddenly lit up, and seeing his look of realization, Feng Zhaobai nodded in satisfaction. "This guy is the head of the Japan Intelligence Class covering the East China Region. He''s been infiltrating for over 20 years, connecting with so-called high officials and influential people, as well as high-ranking Qing Court figures, using his connections for intelligence work, and has now woven a large network." "By cutting off this point, we can paralyze the entire Japanese intelligence network for a long time, a small cost for a big result..." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully and then asked doubtfully, "Isn''t it said that the country doesn''t have the energy to develop this Illusion Realm for the time being?" Feng Zhaobai chuckled, "Although the country hasn''t officially developed this world yet, we''ve been silently preparing and laying out some preliminary groundwork, or do you think we''re stationed in this Illusion Realm for nothing?" "Oh, so that''s how it is..." "Is there anything else? If not, I have to get going." Feng Zhaobai paused, patiently looking at the boy. "Oh, right!" Zhu Haomiao remembered something, fetched a newspaper, and handed it to him, complaining indignantly, "Little Britain taunts us as the sick man of East Asia..." Glancing at the paper, Feng Zhaobai sneered coldly, casually tossing it aside, unconcerned. "The barking of insignificant dogs, nothing to be concerned about." "Ah? You''re just going to let it go like that?" In the boy''s puzzled eyes, Feng Zhaobai pondered for a moment before explaining. "The weapon of criticism cannot replace the criticism of weapons; if you look at this from an individual perspective, then it''s a matter with no solution." "Any individual words or actions are pale; no matter how you prove yourself, they will turn a blind eye and even twist the truth to prove your evil and inferiority." Saying this, Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but laugh. "Actually, derogatory terms like this have existed in the real world for a long time, but after a certain point, they stopped mentioning it at all, do you know when that was?" "When?" "After the Korean War." Taking a breath, Zhu Haomiao suddenly understood, faintly grasping something. Seeing his expression, Feng Zhaobai smiled faintly and continued. "Imperialism is arrogant; they don''t understand human words. You have to communicate with them using iron and blood, and then they''ll sit down sheepishly, listening to your every statement seriously, complaining you''re a bit too extreme..." "By then, there naturally won''t be any talk of the ''sick man of East Asia'' anymore, replaced by a powerful, evil dragon, a demon king threatening world peace, the source of all disaster, the mastermind behind the curtain controlling the world..." "Of course, when they slander you for threatening world peace, you''d better really have the capability to threaten world peace." At this point, even Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but chuckle. "Until one day, you can truly overshadow the entire world, and the supreme ''Emperor of the Heavenly Dynasty'' will return to his loyal Earth." Zhu Haomiao: "..." Old Paris leads the world by 200 years with a white flag! "Let''s not get carried away; there will naturally be a response at the national level, but we''ll need to wait for the right moment. If you''re feeling irate, you can vent a bit yourself, as long as it''s not overboard, the higher-ups won''t mind these small matters." Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Saying this, Feng Zhaobai gave Zhu Haomiao a deep look and mumbled in an indistinguishable tone. "After all, it''s the Illusion Realm... having fun is most important for you..." "Senior Brother, what did you say?" "Nothing." Feng Zhaobai waved his hand, leaving the reception room without looking back, reminding as he left. "Take your time with the materials, come find me after completing the mission." ......... Moon high in the sky The glamorous neon lights flickered, covering the entire street with a layer of dreamy red glow. Changing into the attire of a young master, Zhu Haomiao stepped into Shanghai''s most famous nightclub, and was immediately struck by the [desire] within. The ethereal desire reflected in the boy''s eyes was visible to him, enveloping the entire building like a dark red mist. But in the depths of this dark red mist, even more evil and twisted darkness quietly lurked, like a dormant beast opening its giant mouth of the Abyss, ready to swallow every living being stepping foot here. Damn it! How did I not discover such a good place before?! Looking around, the boy took a deep breath of the sinful air, opening his arms in delight as if to embrace it all. Everyone in here is talented! They speak so well! I feel just like being home! "Sir, have you come alone? Is there any lady you''re familiar with? I can arrange for you," At this moment, a welcoming waiter approached, bowing obsequiously. Without even looking at him, Zhu Haomiao casually flicked him a silver coin: "Bring out all your top performers for me to see." Quickly catching the coin, looking at the intricate Five-clawed Divine Dragons surrounding the words [one tael], the waiter recognized it as one of the recently popular Da Qing silver coins, grinning widely. His monthly wage is just over one tael of silver, and here this generous guest tips a full tael! Almost equivalent to his monthly income! Chapter 75 - 75: Waiting for the Hare Quickly pocketing the silver coin, the waiter was as respectful as if he were serving an ancestor, leading the young man inside. "Sir, please come in! Please come in!" Upon entering the nightclub''s hall, it faintly resembled a combination of a bar and a theater, with each booth isolating guests, while a half-human-high stage in the center featured a band performing energetically. However, the guests seemed preoccupied with exchanging affections with the beauties beside them, and the delightful chatter and laughter rose and fell, with no one paying attention to the stage. "Sir, do you prefer the hall or a private room? There are still a few large private rooms on the second floor..." Hearing the waiter''s inquiry, Zhu Haomiao looked up and observed that they resembled the private rooms of bars in later generations. From there, one could clearly enjoy the stage performance on the first floor and even monitor the entire hall, including the critical main entrance. "Let''s go upstairs, I want that private room." Having specified the private room with the best observation vision, Zhu Haomiao followed the waiter to the second floor, and not long after, a group of beauties came in one after another. "Sir, these are the most beautiful girls in our place." S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing the girls lined up, each with eyes full of allure, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but nod silently. Although they lacked the inherent supernatural charm of a senior sister or Su E''s teacher, in terms of just looks and figure, these girls were truly outstanding in their own ways. Meanwhile, seeing that this time''s guest was a "naive and well-behaved" handsome boy, and meeting his deep and enchanting eyes, several top girls felt an inexplicable urge, like wolves seeing blood food, unable to resist licking their lips. Such a beautiful young master, I''d do it even if they didn''t pay me! Usually, the clients were rough men, so it was rare to see such a tasty "prey," and a few girls subconsciously exchanged glances, feeling a strong sense of rivalry. However, Zhu Haomiao paid no heed to their internal scheming, casually choosing the two with the largest busts to stay, then instructed the waiter beside him. "Go to [Xinghua House] for me and order some food, mention my name." Upon hearing this, the waiter apologetically said. "Sir, we don''t allow outside food and drinks." Smack~ A silver note landed in the waiter''s hand, the young man smiled calmly. "No, you can." Looking at the silver note worth a thousand taels in his hands, the waiter''s hands unconsciously trembled, as if holding not a flimsy piece of paper, but a heavy mountain, pressing him down heavily. "I''ll... I''ll discuss with the manager right away!" "Go ahead." With a casual wave, Zhu Haomiao walked straight to the glass window, overlooking the entire first-floor hall, recalling the target''s appearance and information in his mind. Due to the professional nature of intelligence work, the target had strong counter-surveillance awareness, almost never staying in one place for long, the only places he frequented were a few top nightclubs in Shanghai. He could only wait like a rabbit for the trap to catch him... Sigh... everyone''s busy... Hopefully, he''ll be sensible and show up soon... Wait! This character walking the line between good and evil... maybe I can use Wilson to lure him out... While deep in thought, Zhu Haomiao suddenly felt his arms enveloped in a warm softness, and beside his ear came a coquettish breath. "Young master, don''t just stand there, come sit here~" Two top girls on either side imperiously pulled the young man onto the sofa, snuggling up to him like two little kittens, deliberately whispering in his ear. "Little master, don''t be shy, you can do whatever you want~" Guiding the young man''s hand around their waist, the two girls opened their rosy lips, their moist, sweet breath tickling his ear like feathers, making his heart itch unbearably. With the soft fragrance in his arms, Zhu Haomiao didn''t hold back, his fingertips lazily caressing their exposed skin, casually enjoying the smooth, jade-like texture, but his cold gaze remained fixed on the first-floor hall. After a long time of whining seduction, the two women found that the young man had no reaction, instead being teased by his casual caresses to the point that their scalps tingled and bodies went soft. Exchanging a subconscious glance, they saw the same emotion in each other''s eyes. This must be a noble son raised among women! Immediately, the two women were instead spurred on, using all their charm, almost merging themselves with the young man. But as they continued to tease, the two top girls couldn''t help but become overwhelmed first. Being experienced professionals, they felt unusually sensitive today for some unknown reason, each touch of his fingers sending tingles through them, instinctively clamping their legs tight to avoid any embarrassing display. "Sir, you smell so nice~" Nuzzling against his neck, the two women greedily inhaled the rich fragrance, unable to resist extending their tongues to lick his cool skin, their eyes gradually showing an imperceptible pink haze. Lowering his gaze subconsciously, Zhu Haomiao saw their pupils almost crystallized into solid pink hearts, with an intoxicated and hungry look as if wanting to devour him on the spot! "Uh... you two need to calm down." Realizing his precarious situation, Zhu Haomiao instinctively tried to withdraw his hands, but they held him tightly, guiding them under the thin hem of his clothes and pressing them to their chests. "Sir, my heart feels so uncomfortable, please help me massage it~" Using his hands to knead their chests, the top girls let out kitten-like whimpers, their deep nasal voices tinged with a sobbing tone. What, is Lust''s authority so overpowering? Upon realizing what was happening, the young man''s brows twitched, his mind engulfed in dark thoughts. Damn it!! I just bought these clothes today! They''re expensive!! The two tender bodies in his arms writhed and twitched as if shocked, finally collapsing into his embrace like mud, gently squirming, and with eyes gleaming pink hearts, staring fixedly at his side profile. "Sir, it feels so uncomfortable..." If you feel uncomfortable, go change clothes yourself, why stick to me? Afraid my pants won''t get wet enough?! Just then, the knock at the private room door relieved Zhu Haomiao from his predicament, allowing him to withdraw his hands, and he tidied the two women''s disordered clothes before speaking. "Come in." "Sir, the meal you ordered has arrived." The waiter entered with a group, arranging the large table in the private room full with various glowing dishes. Noticing the licentious atmosphere in the room and the unsatisfied, hungry eyes of the two top girls, the waiter gave a double-edged flattering smile. "Please enjoy at your leisure, sir." Zhu Haomiao: "..." Chapter 76 - 76: Everyone Inside is a Talent After speaking, he retreated without hesitation, even thoughtfully locking the room door for them. Click~ Zhu Haomiao: "....." Hearing the click of the lock, the teenager''s heart suddenly tightened, feeling a chill down his spine. Turning back stiffly, he saw the two courtesans gazing at him with alluring, spring-like eyes. Zhu Haomiao finally had a direct understanding of his own "charm". No, if this continues, I''ll make a mistake... What official could withstand such a test?! I need to find something for them to do! His gaze swept over the delicacies on the table, Zhu Haomiao had a brainwave and sat back on the sofa grandly. "Eat." The two women exchanged a glance, understanding that this was someone who usually had everything handed to him. They quickly picked up chopsticks to feed him. "Young master, try this beef." "Young master, this cod is quite succulent¡­" While feeding him, the women didn''t forget to pull the boy''s hand into their clothes, quenching the tingling that felt like ants crawling over their bodies. With soft warmth in his embrace and tasting delightful foods in his mouth, Zhu Haomiao faintly experienced the joy of ancient emperors. In this pleasure, one doesn''t long for home~ Zhu Haomiao, caught off guard as an old comrade, instinctively wanted to struggle, but his pupils were shrouded by a surge of pink mist, diluting his resistance. However, no matter how the two women flattered and tempted, there was always a trace of spirit light deep in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes that suppressed the pink mist, like a stabilizer, keeping the lustful atmosphere from fully spiraling out of control. His peripheral vision constantly monitored the hall on the first floor. The meal took a full four to five hours. The two women lay limp in Zhu Haomiao''s arms, panting gently, their bodies drenched in fragrant sweat, with small hands sliding under his shirt, caressing his defined abs, their eyes filled with hazy longing and grievance. "Young master, did you quit opium? How can you endure this?" After hours of skin contact, they knew clearly that the handsome young man before them was not incapable. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the contrary, his assets were quite considerable, and he would have normal reactions, yet he could spookily endure! Hearing their painful, grievance-filled complaints, Zhu Haomiao shook his head with a smile, the pink divine light in his eyes slowly retracting and dissipating. "Lust +20, Dao Heart +1" The level 2 Dao Heart was simply unrivaled. Even though he still felt instinctual impulses within the Illusion Realm, he could always maintain his last line of defense. Like a dam, it firmly blocked the tidal wave of desire! So different from reality, where he easily lost control¡­ "Young master~~~" With their coquettish teasing, Zhu Haomiao chuckled lightly, pushed the door open without looking back, and left the nightclub directly. However, upon stepping through the door, the previously arrogant curve of his lips faded away. The playful smile in his eyes quickly disappeared, replaced by cold, indifferent aloofness. It was already late at night outside. Bathed in the glow of neon lights, the boy breathed the crisp air and looked back at the building behind him. The dazzling tall building looked like a monster, continuously devouring people captured by desire, using their lives as nutrient, growing distorted and ugly evil flowers. The place is full of talent¡­ Except for those poor exploited ones, everyone else was filled with dense and insoluble sinfulness! Murder, rape, drug trafficking, human trafficking¡­ Licking his lips, the boy restrained his urge for slaughter, letting out a long, melancholic sigh. Alas, he was merely a passerby; after squeezing out this abscess, a new one would soon take its place. More terrifying was this land, spanning millions of square kilometers, dotted with festering abscesses all over! Impossible to kill them all, simply impossible¡­ This country, sigh, a pondering question! Feeling deeply the powerlessness of human limitations, Zhu Haomiao reset his mindset, restoring his flippant smile. Never mind, as long as my conscience is clear. With clarity of thought, Zhu Haomiao chuckled and shook his head, casting his gaze towards his greatest gain of the night. Gluttony +10, Dao Heart +1 Gluttony: LV.1¡úLV.2 (6/200) Body +1 Strength +1 Tonight''s sumptuous feast indulged two original sins simultaneously. Sometimes, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t tell whether it was about Food, or Lust¡­ But feeling the attributes deposited deep into his flesh, Zhu Haomiao nodded contentedly, pulling out a small notebook to lazily jot down a few words. "Nothing to do today, listening to opera in the brothel." ................... In the following period, a mysterious young master gradually made a name for himself across the brothel circles of Shanghai. With his handsome appearance, generous demeanor, and most importantly, a noble aura that commanded respect without anger. Such extravagance, without a bodyguard, seemingly a weak and easily bullied fat sheep, naturally drew the attention of some desperadoes. But the high-end hunter often appears in the form of prey¡­ What outsiders didn''t know was that this seemingly harmless little fat sheep was actually eagerly awaiting trouble. Thus, everyone who dared to act against him disappeared silently into the night of Shanghai. After several probing attempts, no one dared to harbor ill intentions again. "One, two, three, four¡­ fifteen¡­" Crunch, crunch~ In a dark, damp alley, amidst the teeth-gritting sounds of squeezing, Zhu Haomiao counted the "deposit" in his pocket, then reached out to beckon, a blood-stained greed coin flew over from the twisted corpses'' remnants, landing precisely into his hand. "Sixteen!" With a satisfied snap of his fingers, the twisted corpse squeezed dry dropped from mid-air, and the boy skillfully threw it into a sack, weighted it with stones, and sank it into the Huangpu River. The life tips shared on the forums were indeed useful; no longer did he have to worry about not knowing how to deal with a body! Clapping his hands, the boy strolled leisurely through Shanghai''s night, examining the changes in the Book of Black while heading towards the pre-designated brothel. Greed +10 Greed: LV.3 (169¡ú179/300) Although the majority of "experience" was converted into greed coins, slowly accumulating over time, the progress of upgrading Greed still surpassed half. It was unfortunate that those sliding tackles towards him were mostly small fry, with limited "nutritional" value¡­ When the task is complete, he''ll have to find a protein-rich old rooster to explode the gold coin! With a bright gold coin flipping and leaping between his fingers, Zhu Haomiao strode into the bustling nightclub as if refusing all familial ties. "Master! You''re finally here, our girls have been missing you dearly!" Chapter 77 - 77: Bait on the Hook The doorman''s eyes lit up at the sight of a fat sheep arriving, and he hastily nodded and bowed, leading the way. Buzz~ A silver coin was effortlessly flicked out and landed in the waiter''s hand, and Zhu Haomiao walked into the entrance with the ease of someone returning home. As he reached the lobby, Zhu Haomiao sensed something and looked up to the second floor, where he saw a tall, elegant middle-aged Caucasian man standing by the floor-to-ceiling window in a tailcoat. Their eyes met, and under the dim, ambiguous lighting, the middle-aged man raised a glass of wine to him in a distant salute. Zhu Haomiao smiled and nodded, showing no sign of change in expression, as he walked up to the second floor and entered the room next to the middle-aged man. Soon, several young women, chirping like orioles and swallows, filed in, surrounding the youth at once. As he fell into the arms of the company, the youth smirked slightly, casually making advances, provoking gasps and coquettish groans from the women, who seemed to be resisting but actually indulging. However, while his body enjoyed the soft, fragrant pleasures, the depths of Zhu Haomiao''s smiling eyes were cold, as his spirit was highly focused and his divine soul projected the scene of the room next door. Like observing from a monitor''s first-person view, a short, stocky man with a square face came into the youth''s field of vision. "Mr. Wilson, may I know what important matter prompted your gracious invitation?" "Mr. Hara, there is some business I wish to discuss for collaboration..." Though it was his own first-person perspective, the voice was not his own, giving Zhu Haomiao a novel sensation akin to watching a VR film, as he eagerly watched Wilson skillfully hoodwink the target into confusion. After dozens of minutes, as he watched both parties shake hands and come to an agreement, Wilson handed a glamorous gold coin to Hao Yi as a token and deposit of their transaction, and Zhu Haomiao breathed a long sigh of relief. With the positioning of the [Greed Coin], now even if he fled to the ends of the earth, he wouldn''t be afraid... Indeed, to find someone in a city like Shanghai, one must have the support of an intelligence network! Previously, relying only on his own luck to wait like sitting by a stump for a rabbit was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack; he might not run into the target even after several months. Wilson''s connections across both the black and white worlds indeed offered convenience, always managing to pass on the word through twists and turns, eventually succeeding in getting the target to come out. Thoughts swirling in his mind, the focus in Zhu Haomiao''s pupils gradually cleared, as he refocused his attention on his main body. "Young master, I''m feeling so unwell~" Looking at the girls with blurry eyes, their pupils blooming with pink hearts, frenetically rubbing their ample chests on him, Zhu Haomiao let out a wanton laugh, boldly caressing them. "Where do you feel unwell? Let me take a look?" "Ah~ Naughty~" "It''s my turn, it''s my turn, young master, I''m feeling unwell here, please touch here~" ....... [Lust] +10, [Dao Heart] +1 [Lust]: LV.0¡úLV.1 (0/100) [Essence] +1 Unconsciously, the Original Sin [Lust] quietly upgraded, with a large area of pink mist rising in the depths of Zhu Haomiao''s pupils, his breathing suddenly becoming heavy, as desire erupted like a volcano! But in the next second, a clear spirit light blossomed in his eyes, instantly suppressing the restless desire. And in the corridor outside the room, as Wilson was escorting Hao Yi out, he seemed to sense something, suddenly turning his head. "What''s wrong? Mr. Wilson?" "It''s nothing." Wilson chuckled lightly, shaking his head, deftly changing the topic, extending his hand grandly. "I''ll leave the subsequent matters to you, Mr. Hara." Hao Yi grasped his hand with both of his, bowing slightly, his eyes fierce and resolute. "Rest assured, I will handle everything perfectly!" "Mhm." With a noncommittal nod, Wilson ceremoniously saw Hao Yi out, then glanced at the room where Zhu Haomiao was, hesitated for a few seconds, but did not disturb, instead leaving directly with a large group of bodyguards. Throughout the process, the true mastermind did not even appear within Hao Yi''s understanding range, yet silently ensnared him into his trap. It wasn''t until midnight that Zhu Haomiao left with a mischievous smile, under the resentful and hungry gazes of the women, strolling away without a second thought, as if today was just another banal day in his debauched life. However, no one knew, that a fishing hook had already lodged in the target''s flesh, and the next step was merely to reel it in bit by bit, waiting for the moment to savor... Over the next few days, through the [Greed Coin] and his own mysterious connection, Zhu Haomiao observed and monitored the target from a street away, but never discovered any cracks in the other party''s spirit. Greed, lust, anger, jealousy... Various Original Sins appeared and disappeared in the target''s spirit, but were restricted and shrouded by the shell of his soul, unable to stir a single ripple under the repression of reason. Taking a sip of coffee, Zhu Haomiao wistfully gazed out the floor-to-ceiling window at the passing pedestrians, his eyes melancholic. "So much for being lustful to the death?" "Not decadent enough!" "No spirit!" After finishing the coffee listlessly, Zhu Haomiao began seriously contemplating how to complete the mission. Engaging in a head-on fight was entirely impossible; the opponent was a Silver Peak Knight, while he was merely a novice at the Bronze Level. The disparity in raw strength could in no way be bridged by the Burst Seed. Even if he disregarded the endurance of his spirit and body, overloading on Original Sins, the result would be more harm than good. "Just 100 points of contribution, why risk my life?" Shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao instinctively glanced at his waist concealed by his cloak, where a brutally ornate silver-plated revolver rested. But after several seconds of careful evaluation, he regretfully sighed. Unless he forced the target into a corner with nowhere to hide, his marksmanship was simply not good enough to hit him! Not to mention a Silver Peak Level warrior; even with Zhu Haomiao''s current reaction speed and dexterity, most shooters would struggle to hit him. This isn''t to say he was so fast he could dodge bullets, but as a martial artist, his combat intuition always allowed him to avoid the effective attack zone where the gun was pointed. Of course, this only applies when facing a single gun; if it were a trained squad or an army, with dozens or hundreds of guns locking down the area, and bullets raining like a storm, there''d be no choice but to brace for impact. Squeezing his fists, feeling the 3.5 [Body] attribute paired with the Second Layer [Hard Qi Skill], Zhu Haomiao clearly knew he absolutely could not withstand direct gunfire from hot weapons. "One shot, one silent death!" "A Silver Peak Level martial artist probably can''t withstand it either..." "Therefore, perhaps I could try deploying troops to besiege the target?" Involuntarily thinking of Wilson''s band of desperadoes, Zhu Haomiao rubbed his chin, pondering for a moment, then gradually dismissed the bold idea. "No need, having Wilson handle matters in the shadows is much more effective than openly revealing our collaboration!" S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If their relationship were exposed, many matters could be traced back and completely uprooted... Chapter 78 - 78: A Pitiful Person Must Have Detestable Traits Secondly, even if all of Wilson''s mercenaries were to attack, in the complex environment of urban street warfare, they couldn''t guarantee to completely kill a Silver Peak Knight. Hao Yi isn''t a shrimp. If he encounters a large-scale army siege, would he not run and actually face off head-on? Shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao looked towards an unremarkable residential house outside the street and sighed with regret. Alas... If hard power doesn''t work, I''ll have to rely on soft power... I hope he''s spirited enough to do something lustful... So, for the next few days, Zhu Haomiao, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, coldly observed Hao Yi''s every move, patiently waiting for his spirit to reveal a flaw. Heaven never fails the faithful. Finally, one day, Zhu Haomiao sensed a twisted, morbid excitement breaking through restraints, burning like a flame in the target''s soul. His eyes lit up, like a venomous snake baring its fangs in the darkness. Zhu Haomiao focused, using the "greed coin" as a node, encompassing the scene within several meters around the target into his mind across several streets. "Lord Ao, this... this... isn''t right..." Zhu Haomiao saw a braid-wearing man''s face twisted, his trembling fist clenched white, his eyes full of blood, yet he dared not speak out in anger. "Wang Jun, this is just a test, a test of your loyalty to the Empire. As long as you pass, you can rise smoothly and depart from this decayed inferior nation, becoming a true core elite!" Hao Yi patted the man''s shoulder, and in his twisted, trembling gaze, dragged a nearby beautiful woman towards the bedroom. "Husband! Husband!" The woman looked at the silent man in disbelief, instinctively struggling, but was grabbed and embraced with a lecherous grin by Hao Yi. "Madam, you wouldn''t want your husband to lose his job, would you?" Bang~ The bedroom door slammed shut with a bang, and soon came the sound of clothes tearing, followed by the woman''s crying and wailing and the man''s coarse lecherous laughter and gasps. Meanwhile, kilometers away, Zhu Haomiao fell silent with a full forehead of black lines. What kind of monstrous words? So the traditional Japanese perversion for good wives started from this time? I didn''t expect Hao Yi, with such strong eyebrows and big eyes, to have such a perverted XP! Very good! Very spirited! A heroic demeanor! Feeling the uncontrollable twisted desires burning fiercely at the bottom of the target''s heart, Zhu Haomiao curled his lips coldly, put on his hood, and headed towards the target in a seemingly slow but actually rapid pace. Actually, such occasional indulgence doesn''t affect the material world much, but the creatures of this world would never think that the "Book of Black" can use this brief indulgent loss of control to trigger desires and destroy the host itself! In less than ten minutes, Zhu Haomiao arrived at an inconspicuous residence and saw a braided man squatting in a corner, curling up and holding his head, shaking violently. Feeling his inner twisted anger, pain, self-loathing, and desire to destroy everything, Zhu Haomiao sneered coldly. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Pitiful people must have something despicable about them. Like being a traitor? It was your own choice, idol. Ignoring the pathetic wretch lost in his own inner world, Zhu Haomiao pushed open the half-closed door and walked into the cramped narrow living room, hearing the vicious laughter from the bedroom. His gaze changed slightly as Zhu Haomiao stood at the bedroom entrance. After carefully sensing, he confirmed that only one life sign remained inside. A faint black light appeared in his eyes. Through the "greed coin" carried by Hao Yi, Zhu Haomiao "saw" the scene inside the room. A stark naked brawny man was madly moving, grabbing a woman''s neck, completely ignoring her pale, despairing, and pained face, and the obviously broken neck. "..." Silent for a while, Zhu Haomiao took a slow, deep breath to suppress the raging "anger" in his heart. At the same time, an evil, ghostly pink mist flowed out from the boy''s eyes, condensing into an evil, twisted red light. The pink mist undetectable by others pervaded the room, ignoring barriers, making Hao Yi even more excited amid desire. The pathological pleasure and excitement surged into his brain like tides, gradually breaking down the line of rationality, finally tearing a huge crack in the spirit''s protective shell. In the next second, the evil light in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes flared. Uncontrollable desires erupted from the depths of Hao Yi''s soul, causing him to become completely twisted and fallen. Unprecedented pleasure dominated all his senses; Hao Yi had never experienced such a blissful yet deadly feeling, his bloodshot frenzied pupils devoid of any rationality, filled only with twisted and deformed bestial desires. "Lust." As the man moved wildly, Zhu Haomiao coldly uttered two words outside the door, manipulating the powerful evil authority to interfere with the material world. Immediately, countless twisted, wriggling tentacles materialized from the void around Hao Yi, gradually covering and entwining his entire body, entering through every orifice, and wriggling in and out like jubilant living creatures, releasing deformed and evil desires to the fullest. Hao Yi''s entire body was enveloped in sticky, salty wet large tentacles. Even with the bedroom door in between, this horrifying and eerie scene disgusted Zhu Haomiao into taking three steps back. What the hell is this tentacle monster? Feeling Hao Yi expending his life force in extreme pain and pleasure, Zhu Haomiao contemptuously curled his lips, quietly waiting for the ritual to complete. The tentacles inserted into Hao Yi''s body seemed to be sucking something, with small flesh bulges like an Adam''s apple gulping, and the once robust male body rapidly shriveled at a speed visible to the naked eye. In just a few dozen seconds, the tentacles retracted and faded, leaving only a skeletal residue. But even in this condition, the tenacious life force of the Silver Peak still supported Hao Yi, preventing immediate death, as he uttered a barely audible weak gasp from his throat. "Help... help..." At this moment, he realized he had been tricked by something mysterious and terrifying, yet the most despairing thing was that he had no idea who the enemy was from beginning to end! On the other side, Zhu Haomiao did not open the bedroom door but casually beckoned, and a brilliant gold coin flew out instantly from the scattered clothes, ignoring material barriers, landing in his palm. Afterward, the boy turned and walked outside, whispering into the ear of the man holding his head, curled up and trembling. "Your wife was brutally killed, is this what you hoped for?" Chapter 79 - 79, [Gale Force] "Anger!" The distorted and sinister whisper slipped into his spirit like a seed. The man abruptly raised his head, only to find no one around. When he realized the meaning of the words, a crimson light filled his eyes, and he dashed madly into the house, shouting his wife''s name. But as he kicked open the bedroom door, he saw his wife''s head lying on the bed at a bizarre angle. Her eyes, filled with disbelief and despair, were hollow and staring at him, instantly shattering the last shred of his sanity! "Aaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!" S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A beast-like wailing of despair and madness came from behind. The bystanders around Zhu Haomiao were startled and instinctively looked towards the source of the sound. Only the young man, cloaked in a black hood, walked away without looking back. [Lust] +800 [Lust]: LV.1¡úLV.4 (200/500) [Essence] +4 [Body] +3 [Qi] +2 [Strength] +1 Feeling the mysterious energy pouring into his body from the void, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, hidden in the shadow of his hood, were momentarily dazed as he observed the intense changes in the [Book of Black], involuntarily curling his lips. Indeed, the nutrition of a Silver Peak Level warrior is rich, with protein five times that of beef! Crunch~ As he savored the moment, a new surge of power, like scorching magma, was injected into his body. [Anger] +150 [Anger]: LV.0¡úLV.2 (10/200) [Strength] +2 [Dexterity] +1 It seems that Original Sin and strength aren''t in absolute proportion. Even ordinary people, when angered to insanity, can provide a large amount of "experience." Just like those greedy colonial merchants deserving of being hanged on lamp posts¡ªweak in strength, but not lacking in [greed]... Feeling a certain understanding, Zhu Haomiao rubbed his chin with interest and walked unhurriedly towards the [Yanhuang Armory]. Behind him, some bold onlookers had already discovered the hellish crime scene following the howling, and simultaneously let out sharp screams. "Call the police!!!" ................. [Yanhuang Armory] "Finished the mission? That was quick..." Feng Zhaobai tapped his tablet deftly, transferring 100 virtual points into Zhu Haomiao''s account. Seeing his straightforward action without a word, Zhu Haomiao''s expression turned peculiar. "You confirmed receipt just based on my word? You won''t send anyone to verify?" Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai laughed as he explained. "Our intelligence network in this world is just a framework. We can only prioritize major events. There''s no need to waste manpower verifying small matters like this." "Besides... do you know about credit scores?" Hearing this familiar term, Zhu Haomiao''s expression became even more peculiar. Goodness, they''ve even got credit scores here?! Feng Zhaobai patted his shoulder, his face full of encouraging smiles. "You have a pretty high credit score. As long as there are no trust issues, many processes can be greatly simplified." Having said that, Feng Zhaobai put away his casual smile, looked seriously at Zhu Haomiao, and extended his hand. "Congratulations on completing your first life mission and officially becoming a member of the Chinese Transcendent." "Uh... thank you." After shaking hands with Feng Zhaobai, Zhu Haomiao eagerly commenced his "shopping." "Senior Brother Feng, can I purchase cultivation techniques now?" "Of course, are you buying the third layer of all four cultivation techniques?" "Yes." "Alright, each item costs 20 virtual points, totaling 80 points. You''ll have 20 points left. Do you want anything else?" "Hmm..." Zhu Haomiao pondered for a moment and decided to exchange for another basic force technique. A pure [Stacked Waves Strength] is strong but only suited for direct confrontations: straightforward and forceful, dismantling the enemy''s defense with irresistible power. In Zhu Haomiao''s perspective, this combat style seemed somewhat cumbersome. "Want something more flexible and varied?" Upon hearing Zhu Haomiao''s request, Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but frown slightly. "Usually, [Stacked Waves Strength] is combined with [Storage Explosion]; these two basic forces have a good affinity and fit well stylistically, even with a [Heroic Destiny] possible simultaneous usage..." "But the flexible and varied [Gale Force] and [Stacked Waves Strength] are fundamentally different in law. Using them simultaneously is very challenging. Are you sure you want to dual cultivate these two basic forces?" "I''m sure!" Perhaps influenced by [Pride], Zhu Haomiao had a mysterious confidence, as if nothing was impossible for him in this world. Seeing his assured and confident demeanor, Feng Zhaobai could only secretly sigh. Barriers that ordinary people struggle to overcome in a lifetime seem naturally simple to him... Truly a monster of the [Abyss Level]... "Then please give me your [Dragon Emblem]." No longer attempting to persuade him, Feng Zhaobai took Zhu Haomiao''s [Dragon Emblem] and personally completed the procedures for him. "The triple layer of four cultivation techniques plus the first and second layers of [Gale Force] in total consumed 95 points. You have 5 points of contribution remaining." "Thank you, Senior Brother Feng." Taking back his [Dragon Emblem], Zhu Haomiao eagerly focused his mind, carefully sensing the cultivation techniques recorded within. When he snapped back to reality, Feng Zhaobai had already vanished, leaving him alone in the reception room. "Tsk... I guess Senior Brother Feng has been very busy lately... It might be related to that incident with the cultist last time..." Mumbling to himself, Zhu Haomiao left the [Yanhuang Armory], heading familiarly to his usual hotel, preparing to thoroughly digest the substantial gains from this period. ................. Ding~ The sparkling gold coins collided gently in the air, spiraling down onto the pages of the [Book of Black], creating gentle water-like ripples. After consuming 3 [greed coins], a certain cultivation technique recorded on the book page emitted a soft glow. Nearly two years of virtual memory poured into Zhu Haomiao''s mind like a flood, overwhelming him with daze. It was as if he had truly experienced two memorable years in an instant: training in the summer heat, enduring the winter cold, practicing diligently every day, finally achieving a breakthrough today! He carefully savored the mysterious memories, and after a long while, completely integrated them into his soul, bit by bit, returning to clarity in his eyes. [Big Toad Qi]: LV.2 (Skilled)¡úLV.3 (Mastery) [Essence] +1 [Qi] +1 [God] +1 Shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao forcefully slapped his cheeks to fully awaken himself. Then, following his remembered experience, the youth slowly took a long, deep breath. Hiss~ The gentle inhaling sound lasted for over a minute as Zhu Haomiao''s chest and abdomen slowly swelled, resembling a massive toad crouched on the ground. Upon reaching the inhaling limit, the youth held his breath, concentrating, and activated the Inner Qi within his visceral organs, cleansing the meridians and viscera of impurities and toxins. Chapter 80 - 80: Hexagonal Warrior Gulu~~ Gulu~~~ Inner Qi circulated within the body, producing a loud noise, as if a giant toad was croaking in the room. It took a full five or six minutes before Zhu Haomiao exhaled a long breath. Hu~~ In an instant, a faintly gray, turbid pillar of Qi was ejected from the youth''s mouth, extending several meters before slowly dissipating. After completing a cycle of Circulation Transport, he felt refreshed and clear-headed. Zhu Haomiao nodded in satisfaction, then turned his attention to the next cultivation technique. As his realm deepened, the virtual memories of "Enlightenment" also grew increasingly vast, so it was better to stagger them one by one... Feeling a sense, Zhu Haomiao did not rush to "Krypton Gold," but patiently comprehended the profound power of [Big Toad Qi], waiting until his Spirit Platform was completely lucid, then turned the page of the [Book of Black] once more. Three [greed coins] fell into the page, and another cultivation technique blossomed with radiance. [Hard Qi Skill]: LV.2¡úLV.3 (Mastery) [Body] +1 [Qi] +1 [Strength] +1 In an instant, memories spanning nearly two years engulfed him in Enlightenment. Zhu Haomiao closed his eyes, carefully savoring that wondrous process that seemed both fleeting and eternal. It took the youth several minutes before he opened his eyes, fully assimilating the spontaneously acquired memories. As he circulated Qi Fortune, his muscles swelled dramatically, as if he was wearing an invisible armor, and Zhu Haomiao felt invincible. Of course, he understood this was merely a common illusion. Many people, upon suddenly acquiring some knowledge or power, felt terrifyingly strong, but once in actual combat, their true colors were quickly revealed. The third layer of [Hard Qi Skill] at most equates to adding a layer of leather armor, adequate against normal slashes, but encountering a divine weapon that cuts like mud, or Qi Force with piercing effects, it only provides slight weakening. Pounding his chest, the rebound from his fist felt like striking solid rubber, scattering immense force and feeling almost no pain. Observing his exceptional resistance capabilities, Zhu Haomiao nodded with understanding. The right way to utilize [Hard Qi Skill] should be in combination with heavy armor, using the strong defense of heavy armor to mute all damage into blunt force, and then withstand and absorb these damages with his formidable physique! If cultivated to a high realm, donned with two or three layers of armor, one could become a humanoid tank, bulling through gunfire unharmed. Even single-soldier thermal weapons would likely struggle to penetrate this defense; only artillery would be a concern... Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a long time before directing his sight to the next cultivation technique. Buzz~ Another [greed coin] spun into the [Book of Black], and the calm words suddenly bloomed with brilliant light. [Stacked Waves Strength]: LV.2¡úLV.3 (Mastery) [Strength] +2 [Body] +1 Crack-crack~ Instinctively moving his body, the joints all over made a series of continuous popping sounds. Zhu Haomiao, with eyes unfocused, digested the information in the torrent of memories, and after a long while, came back to his senses. The third layer of [Stacked Waves Strength]... Clenching his fist, Zhu Haomiao swung out hard, the punch making a subtle whistle as it sliced through the air. Hu~ Hu~ Hu~ As he urged the Inner Qi, the breaking wind sound of each punch became increasingly obvious. Even bystanders could clearly see the rapidly increasing power of his heavy fists. Pushed to the limit, Zhu Haomiao estimated his maximum strength had increased by about 40%, though if he ignored his body''s endurance capability, and faced exponentially increased Inner Qi consumption, he could likely enhance it further... Retracting his fist and dispersing his strength, Zhu Haomiao scrutinized every slight change in his body, looking towards the new cultivation technique in the [Book of Black]. Likewise, three gold coins were invested, and the technique instantly jumped two levels, injecting a sensation of light, agile silkiness into the youth''s soul. [Gale Force]: LV.0¡úLV.2 (Skilled) [Dexterity] +2 [God] +1 Tipping on his toes, he lightly jumped in place twice, the seemingly casual movements carrying an indescribable ease and pleasure, as if shedding a heavy mountain from his shoulders, with a slightly added force, he could soar! Smiling, Zhu Haomiao trod [Plum Blossom Step], darting around the room like an apparition. With the ongoing urging of [Gale Force], his figure sped up increasingly, eventually leaving afterimages. After a few laps, Zhu Haomiao still felt it''s not enough, decisively upgrading [Plum Blossom Step] as well. [Plum Blossom Step]: LV.2¡úLV.3 (Mastery) [Dexterity] +2 [God] +1 The third layer of [Plum Blossom Step] became even more nimble and versatile. Together with the speed enhancement from [Gale Force], Zhu Haomiao excitedly dashed about the room, like a fish darting through a stream. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, as his speed reached its peak, Zhu Haomiao found it increasingly difficult to maintain control in a room filled with furniture and clutter. Bam! Finally, after crashing into the sofa, the panting youth stopped, lightly biting his lip with a frown. The combination of three layers of [Plum Blossom Step] and two layers of [Gale Force] had exceeded his reaction speed. In open terrain it''s fine, but in a complex and confined environment, maneuvering at full speed was very challenging. With this thought, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but look at the attributes enhanced by the two cultivation techniques. [Dexterity]...[God]... It seems the [God] attribute limits the upper limit of [Dexterity] attribute performance... No matter how fast you are, if your reactions are delayed, it''s like an ordinary person driving an F1 car; one step on the gas and you slam into the wall! In the same way, the [Body] attribute also restrains the upper limit of [Strength] output! In using the Extraordinary Power of [anger], Zhu Haomiao has profound lessons on this point. So... to become a hexagonal warrior without weaknesses, one''s Six-dimensional Attributes must not have obvious flaws. With newfound understanding, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a moment, looking at the attribute information in the [Book of Black]. [God]: 3.7¡ü(3) [Dexterity]: 3.6¡ü(5) [Strength]: 3.5¡ü(7) [Essence]: 3.4¡ü(7) [Qi]: 3.4¡ü(6) [Body]: 3.5¡ü(7) The accumulated attributes within him had become quite substantial, but it was evident that the [Martial Arts] system did not particularly enhance [God], with currently only [Big Toad Qi], [Plum Blossom Step], and [Gale Force] providing some sporadic cultivation. On second thought, though, [Martial Arts] focuses heavily on Physique, lightly on Spirit. If a warrior were stronger in [God] than a mage, that would be somewhat off the main track... At this thought, Zhu Haomiao quirked his lips with a strange expression. Under normal circumstances, the [War] and [Mage] two major systems have their own strengths, but with the addition of the seven paths of Original Sin, along with Krypton Gold Skill, there won''t be any significant weaknesses. Resilient as a horse while dishing out high damage... Vaguely, Zhu Haomiao seemed to glimpse an invincible hexagonal template. Chapter 81 - 81: Investigation After fantasizing for a few seconds, the young man shook his head, bringing his consciousness back to reality, and looked at the two basic forces. Stacked Waves¡­ Gale¡­ One was grand and forceful, exceptionally powerful, the other light and nimble, swift as a gale. The former was more suitable for a battle array general, charging through thousands, conquering all directions. The latter was more suited for Jianghu knights, elegant as a swimming dragon, like a startling swan. No wonder Senior Brother Feng said they conflict in style and are difficult to use simultaneously. With a difficult mindset, Zhu Haomiao tried to simultaneously activate the two basic forces, but with a shift of mind, the surging chaotic inner breath immediately left him breathless. "Cough cough cough cough cough..." Supporting the wall and coughing madly for over ten seconds, Zhu Haomiao gradually caught his breath, his slender eyebrows tightly knotted. This was far more difficult than he had expected! He originally thought it was at most as difficult as drawing a circle with one hand and a square with the other. Unexpectedly, it was ten thousand times harder in reality! Merely controlling the inner breath to flow along two different paths without interference was almost impossible. His mind conjured up images of some people on the forum clamoring daily about Eight Forces Combined, filling Zhu Haomiao''s head with black lines. Just two basic forces are like this, and they talk about Eight Forces Combined? It''s known that with each additional basic force, the difficulty increases exponentially. But the scary part is, both Heroic Destiny and God''s Destiny can truly activate two or even three basic forces simultaneously. How do they manage it?? Scratching his head, having personally experienced the difficulty, Zhu Haomiao gained a deeper understanding of his true aptitude. There truly is an invisible Heavenly chasm between Mortal Destiny and God''s Destiny! It''s like a human on the ground looking up at stars that are unreachable! That kind of gap is unresolvable, despairing¡­ Without the Book of Black, he feared he wouldn''t even have the courage to face those Heaven''s Chosen Sons! Fortunately¡­ Raising his hand in a virtual grasp, a pitch-black heavy book materialized in his palm, looking at the mysterious eerie cover, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but raise his lips in a satisfied smile. What to do with God''s Destiny cheating? The answer is simple: open a hack even more perverse than theirs! With a faint smile, Zhu Haomiao temporarily set aside the troubles of Dual Power Fusion, stretched comfortably, and lazily walked toward the bedroom. After accumulating so many attributes, the most important thing now is to realize them. Sloth, activate! Lying on the bed, Zhu Haomiao slowly closed his eyes, his consciousness quickly emptied, sinking into a deep sleep. Yet, while he was peacefully sleeping, the ripples he created spread across the entire Shanghai. ......... Boom! Intense sparks exploded in the room, releasing a dazzling brilliance. Illuminating a nauseating murder scene, a young white man carefully put away the camera and looked at the handsome man with a pipe in his mouth beside him. "Detective, do you think... this was done by humans?" "Who knows, we''ll have to wait for the investigation report from the Qing Country police to confirm." Upon hearing this, the young man curled his lips in disdain. "What do those yellow monkeys know about investigation? They''re primitive, ignorant, and backward¡­" Hearing his subordinate''s undisguised discrimination, the man took a puff of his cigarette, looked at him with a polite yet awkward smile, and remained silent. Young man, you''re very brave, but please don''t drag me down with you... Before long, a petite figure draped in a white and gold cloak crossed the cordon and slowly walked into the room, the man''s expression became serious, and he quickly greeted respectfully. "Mr. Gabriel." "What''s the situation at the scene?" "There are three deceased, two men and one woman, one pair being a couple, and this is also their home." The man removed the pipe and introduced in an orderly manner. "The identity of the other man is still being confirmed, but his body was torn to shreds, his face severely damaged, making identification difficult¡­" "What''s the cause of death?" "Only the woman''s cause of death is relatively normal, she was raped and strangled." "The man who raped her was torn into more than fifty pieces by the husband, those Qing Country policemen are still piecing together the body." "The case logic seems simple, a lustful thief broke into the house, raped the wife, and the husband discovered it and tore him to pieces, then committed self-immolation." "The key is the bizarre death states of the two men!" Saying this, the man with the pipe retreated to the side, revealing the bloody murder scene, and a charred corpse kneeling by the bed, reaching out as if wanting to touch the woman. The corpse, dried and carbonized, froze in its last moment before death, kneeling by the bed, raising his hand, seemingly repenting, trying to close the woman''s eyes, which died unclosed, yet also appearing afraid of something, not daring to touch¡­ "To burn a human body to such a state requires sustained high temperatures of several hundred degrees, yet there''s no sign of a fire at the scene." Standing respectfully beside Gabriel, the man holding the pipe carefully added. "I''ve heard there''s a magic skill in the Far East called the Blood Burning Technique¡­" Before he finished, Gabriel calmly shook his head. "Blood burning is just a metaphor, it doesn''t literally burn or carbonize a person." "Uh¡­ unless this man''s veins were filled with gasoline, I can''t imagine why he''d end up like this." The man grimaced, a self-deprecating smile on his face. In Gabriel''s eyes, pure gold Holy Light shone, and as he gazed at the charred corpse, he murmured eerily. "What is impossible on a material level is easily achieved on a divine level¡­" The man''s movements paused at these firm words, his expression becoming more solemn. "Is it the Nihility Sect?" "No, this is an authority I''ve never seen before, more primitive, more ancient, more evil, more powerful¡­" Shaking his head, Gabriel turned to leave. "Take me to see the other body." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Yes, sir." Ten minutes later, they arrived at a morgue in Shanghai, watching several forensic doctors sweating profusely as they pieced together the body. On the table lay a severely incomplete corpse, roughly identifiable as human, with even the mandible torn into two. "This man was the rapist, torn to pieces by the husband alive." Saying this, the man hesitated for a few seconds with a complicated expression, then leaned closer to Gabriel and whispered. "They detected some kind of secretion on and within his body, including the rectum, large intestine, small intestine, stomach, bladder, esophagus, nasal cavity, ear canal, and even¡­ the lungs and inside the skull." "What secretion?" Hearing Gabriel''s inquiry, the man''s face turned even more peculiar. "Prostate fluid containing sperm, and... confirmed by gene comparison to be his own body fluid..." Chapter 82 - 82: Dual Power Fusion After speaking, the man looked at the tattered corpse on the stage with a complex expression. "It''s as if this guy grew countless J... tentacles and stabbed himself to death... truly damn weird..." Silently listening to his subordinate''s words, Gabriel gazed intensely at the body, and after a long while, sighed deeply. "Another unfamiliar God Demon''s Authority. At least four Hell Lord-level beings are watching this world. What exactly makes it so special?" Looking around, Gabriel''s delicate eyebrows gradually knitted together. In a typical Illusion Realm, encountering the gaze of a single High Sky Rank Demon would be considered unlucky. What virtue or ability does this world have to attract the attention of four Evil Gods at once? It seems she has to visit the [Yanhuang Armory] again to explain the seriousness of the situation to the people from [Dragon]! ...................... Time passed. Completely oblivious to the tumult outside, Zhu Haomiao secluded himself in the hotel for a period, living a decadent life of eating and sleeping, and sleeping and eating every day. During this time, he also continuously attempted to fuse the use of [Stacked Waves Strength] and [Gale Force], but without exception, he failed every time. The uncontrollable Inner Breath instead caused minor injuries to his meridians, taking several days to fully recover. "Ridiculous! How do those with [Heroic Destiny] and [God''s Destiny] manage to fuse multiple Basic Forces? It''s simply impossible!" Lying on the bed, Zhu Haomiao stared unfocused at the ceiling, muttering dejectedly to himself. But just as he was about to give up and admit his failure, a subtle emotion quietly emerged from deep within his heart. No! Nothing is impossible! As long as I want it, anything can be achieved! Inexplicable arrogance filled his mind, and a faint Purple Gold Divine Light emerged in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, instinctively triggering a mysterious Authority. [Pride]! With a swish, he jumped up from the bed, took down the decorative Western Sword hanging on the wall, and moved lightly around the room from slow to fast using the [Plum Blossom Step]. Swish swish swish~ With the movement of his steps, the long sword in Zhu Haomiao''s hand left afterimages, forming a dense curtain of swords around him. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Stacked Waves Strength]! [Gale Force]! Silver light flickered, with power and speed simultaneously surging. The crisp sound of the sword blades cutting through the air grew louder, each strike like a heavy propeller tearing the air apart, the originally crisp sword cries gradually turning into piercing shrill screams! At the same time, the faintly discernible curtain of swords became increasingly dense, countless afterimages even connected into a single entity, transforming into a coldly radiant silver dragon, gently twisting its body. The two Basic Forces fused together like milk and water, and Zhu Haomiao freely unleashed his power, a sense of exhilaration rose from the depths of his heart, making him burst into laughter. It wasn''t until a rapid knocking came from outside the door that Zhu Haomiao regretfully stopped his experiment and, with sword in hand, opened the room door. "What is it?" Seeing the young man looking impatient, the hotel manager was momentarily taken aback, lowering his head with a bitter face. "Sir, someone heard the sound of fighting in the room, and I''m worried something might have happened to you..." "It''s fine, no need to worry." Bam! Rudely closing the door, Zhu Haomiao hung the decorative sword back on the wall and lazily lay back on the bed, sighing with emotion. Turning the impossible into possible! The Extraordinary Power of [Pride] is simply defying the heavens! In theory, as long as I can bear the consumption and cost, I can completely cosplay an All-Knowing and All-Powerful God for a short time! Inexplicably, Zhu Haomiao remembered the scene of [Pride] losing control in reality. At that time, just a few tens of seconds of release brought his body and soul to the brink of collapse. But now, after all his actions, his body felt no exhaustion, just a bit of mental fatigue. The former was burning through everything, leaving him unconscious under Su E''s care for three days before waking up... Whereas the latter only resulted in [God] attribute consumption doubling... Comparing the two, Zhu Haomiao vaguely understood something. Even when turning the impossible into possible, the degree to which it defies the heavens determines the consumption and cost! Moreover, creating miracles in reality has a greater cost than in the Illusion Realm! After pondering for a long while, feeling his exploration of the [Book of Black] has gone deeper, Zhu Haomiao nodded slightly, looked at the remaining accumulated attributes, and had a premonition. With another sleep, it seems I will step into a brand-new realm... With a hint of curiosity, the young man slowly closed his eyes, released the [Sloth] Authority, and quickly fell into a deep sleep. In the next second, abstract laws congealed into invisible threads, slowly crawling out from the void, wriggling and spreading like living things, wrapping and enveloping Zhu Haomiao, transforming into a gigantic mysterious Insect Cocoon. Like a caterpillar undergoing Pupation, something within Zhu Haomiao quietly melted, tempered, purified, and reorganized... evolving into a purer and more perfect life form... At the same time, a Bronze Badge placed on the bedside table emitted a barely perceptible mysterious light, with a faint silver sheen appearing on its surface. Sleeping with no sense of time, as if a century had passed or simply a short afternoon nap, when Zhu Haomiao opened his eyes again, he immediately felt as if some kind of transformation had occurred within him. Groggily getting out of bed, he habitually went to the washroom to wash his face, but when he lifted his head to look in the mirror, he was suddenly stunned. Wait... who are you?! Glaring with wide eyes, Zhu Haomiao scrutinized himself, touched his cheeks, and pinched hard, finally confirming that the stunningly unreal beautiful young man in the mirror was indeed himself! Good news: he became more handsome! Bad news: hauntingly handsome! Instinctively, Zhu Haomiao looked at the page of Original Sin in the [Book of Black]. [Lust]: LV.4 (200/500) Inherently, Zhu Haomiao understood the root of his change and also realized that the change in appearance was merely the most negligible manifestation of [Lust]. Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao looked at the mirror again, carefully inspecting. The changes in his features weren''t significant, just minor adjustments that made them more three-dimensional, harmonious, and pleasing to the eye... making anyone naturally feel a sense of goodwill at first glance. Any lingering signs of childishness had completely vanished, replaced by a vibrant sense of youthfulness filled with energy. However, the changes on the material level were only a small part; the true transformation was in the realm of his aura. Even Zhu Haomiao looking at himself felt a certain inexplicable dreamy haze, as if the beautiful young man in the mirror was a character stepping out from a comic, possessing an indescribable charm as he turned to and fro. "It''s like opening a beauty filter... just missing a couple of flowers spinning in the background... a proper manga protagonist..." Touching his cheeks, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but mutter sarcastically. Chapter 83 - 83: Loved By All Vaguely, Zhu Haomiao recalled the supernatural charm that Ye Wan Ning and Teacher Su E unintentionally exuded, which had an intriguing similarity to his current state. "Tsk tsk, thirty years east of the river, thirty years west, never underestimate a frustrated youth!" "Just wait until I develop in reality; won''t you all be charmed to death by me?" Narcissistically raising his chin, Zhu Haomiao admired himself from side to side before focusing his mind on the [Book of Black]. [God]: 6.7 [Dexterity]: 8.6 [Strength]: 10 [Essence]: 10 [Qi]: 9.4 [Body]: 10 Once the attributes exceeded two digits, the [Book of Black] seemed to no longer display numbers after the decimal point; one needed to concentrate to sense more detailed data. Looking at the six-dimensional attributes, now lacking the upward arrows, a vague sense of anxiety arose in Zhu Haomiao''s heart. Although he had converted all his accumulated power into strength, it also meant his growth had stagnated. Need to find an old player to farm gold coins! The moment the thought occurred, the gut-wrenching hunger immediately drew the youth''s attention back. Clutching his growling stomach, Zhu Haomiao put on his clothes, suddenly discovering that his [Dragon Emblem] had turned silver-white! Silver! Expert Level! Time to ask Senior Brother Feng for some golden fries! With his sword brows slightly raised, Zhu Haomiao showed a delighted expression and summoned his butler. "I''m hungry, prepare a feast for me." "As you command!" Having long been familiar with the employer''s habits, the butler was about to organize it when he suddenly met the youth''s eyes, and the whole person seemed to lose his soul, dumbfounded on the spot. Like the first ray of sunlight blooming in the morning glow, the youth''s eyes were deep and dazzling, his features like finely sculpted works of art, with lines soft yet carrying an ethereal charm untouched by mortal dust. The warm, jade-like fair skin exuded the unique luster of youth, as if every inch radiated intense vitality! Just by looking at him, the butler felt he was experiencing the most sincere beauty in the world, inexplicably warming his heart, reminding him of his adorable grandson, as if seeing the vibrant self of his youth! "What''s wrong?" Noticing the butler standing there blankly, Zhu Haomiao asked, bewildered, which immediately brought him back to his senses. "Nothing, I''ll arrange it right away, please wait a moment." Awakened from a brief daze, the old butler perked up and couldn''t help but compliment before leaving. "Sir, you look excellent today." Feeling his heartfelt sincerity, Zhu Haomiao nodded with a strange expression. "Thank you." Respectfully placing a hand on his chest, the old butler elegantly exited, leaving the youth observing his departing figure thoughtfully. Previously, this guy only served him for money; though outwardly respectful, he harbored an undetectable sense of superiority deep within. Why the sudden change today? Narrowing his eyes, Zhu Haomiao instinctively touched his cheek. Being handsome, could it really allow someone to do whatever they wish? No, this was beyond just ''handsome''; it was more influenced by supernatural charm! In game terms, after acquiring [Charming Talent], the initial favorability of all NPCs increased by 50! With this realization, Zhu Haomiao suppressed his hunger and patiently waited for the customized feast from [Xinghua House], directing his gaze at the byproduct of his recent degenerate lifestyle. [Sloth]: LV.2 (115¡ú171/200) Even without external ''love support,'' just by sleeping a lot, this thing was nearly leveling up! Coupled with intermittent [Gluttony] enhancement... Eat and sleep, sleep and eat, lying down to grow stronger... Hiss~ I seem to have seen this somewhere before... Thinking carefully, analyzing seriously, a spirit light flashed in Zhu Haomiao''s mind, and he suddenly widened his eyes! Crap! It turns out I am Diao Chan myself!! S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dozens of minutes later, while Zhu Haomiao was introspectively examining himself with a strange expression, the butler entered the room with a team of attendants, pushing a dining cart, and filled the long table, enough for ten people, with assorted exquisite dishes. "Sir, some dishes still need a bit more time to prepare; once they''re done, we''ll deliver them to you immediately." "Mm." Seeing the table filled with glowing delicacies, Zhu Haomiao''s appetite was whetted, and he picked up chopsticks, ready to indulge. The butler, however, first presented him with a delicate blue and white porcelain pot. "Sir, it''s been a long time since you''ve eaten; have some porridge first." Feeling his pure, untainted concern, Zhu Haomiao awkwardly nodded. "Thank you." "You''re welcome." Watching the youth take small sips of the porridge, the butler''s eyes revealed the affection of an elder watching a younger one, smiling contentedly, and just as he was about to leave, he was suddenly called back. "Yousef, how long have I lived here?" Hearing the youth call his name for the first time, a thrill of unexpected joy surged in Yousef Benavides'' heart, and he respectfully bowed his head. "You''ve been continuously staying in the hotel for 149 days now." After speaking, he hesitated for a moment and, gathering courage, advised. "Sir, staying indoors for a long time isn''t good for your health; you should go outside for a change." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes gleamed subtly: "If I leave, you won''t make money." "Money isn''t as important as your health, Sir." Hearing the butler''s resolute answer, truly sensing his sincerity, Zhu Haomiao nodded with a complex expression. "I understand; then please settle my bill." "As you command, Sir!" Watching the butler leave with a joyful expression, Zhu Haomiao shook his head with many emotions. Beloved by all, admired by all... Being handsome really allows one to have their way! With mixed feelings, Zhu Haomiao finished the sumptuous feast, filling his empty stomach with a satisfying sense of fullness. [Gluttony] +12, [Dao Heart] +1 [Gluttony]: LV.2 (124¡ú136/200) After wine and food satisfaction, appreciating the increasingly filled "experience points" in the [Book of Black], Zhu Haomiao left the hotel contentedly under the respectful escort of the butler. Basking in the warm sunlight outdoors, the youth stretched comfortably, like a snake awakening from hibernation, lazily observing the external world. The incoming breeze carried a hint of heat, and a single closure for five months allowed him to skip the harsh winter, arriving at the blossoming early summer. Pedestrians on the street had already changed into light clothing, and occasionally one could see some wealthy young ladies with fluttering skirts, full of youthful vigor. Admiring the vivid scene, Zhu Haomiao suddenly noticed many people sneaking glances his way, especially the young women, whose fiery gazes seemed hotter than the sun in the sky. But when he looked back, they blushed and averted their eyes, their bashful faces flushed with a soft pink tinge. Realizing a bit of the supernatural charm''s side effects in life, Zhu Haomiao pulled up his hood, slightly lowered his head, and used the array of his equipment to reduce his presence. Chapter 84 - 84: Hugging the Thigh After disguising his appearance, he was finally no longer the center of attention. Zhu Haomiao let out a slight sigh of relief and leisurely headed towards the [Yanhuang Armory]. After several minutes, passing through a thin layer of invisible energy, the lively and noisy clamor rushed in. Zhu Haomiao paused and glanced surprisedly at the hall that resembled a market. The once cold and quiet hall was now packed to capacity, reminding him of a train station during the holidays. A large portion of the crowd was clearly of foreign descent. Even those of the same Asian appearance mostly weren''t speaking Chinese. Even without the [Healing Language] translation, Zhu Haomiao recognized Japanese and Korean, along with some unknown minority languages. What''s going on? Is the Eight-Nation Alliance invading China? Scratching his head, Zhu Haomiao reached the reception and found that Senior Brother Wang was nowhere in sight, replaced by a flustered pretty girl. "Japanese contender, please fill out this form first." "Gold contender, North Korean Gold contender! Take this form and queue at the next window!" "Is Kaveh Ray, the contender from Luzon, here?!" ...... Seeing her sweat profusely with busyness, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment, refrained from disturbing her, and patiently queued for half an hour to reach her. "Hello, are you here to sign in?" As soon as she noticed the silver [Dragon Emblem] on Zhu Haomiao''s chest, the receptionist''s tense expression visibly eased, and her professional smile gained a touch of sincerity. "No, I want to find Senior Brother Feng. Is he available?" Slowly lowering his hood, Zhu Haomiao asked softly, his handsome appearance causing a brief daze in the girl. "Wow! Look! A handsome guy!!" Exclamations in various languages echoed around, quickly spreading throughout the hall. Bathed in complex glances of amazement, jealousy, and disapproval, Zhu Haomiao remained calm, expressionlessly tapping the table. Knock knock~ The crisp tapping sound awakened the blushing girl instantly. "S-sorry, what did you just say?" "I said I''m looking for Senior Brother Feng. Is he here?" "Which Senior Brother Feng are you referring to?" The girl, in a fluster, pulled out the staff directory and began searching rapidly. "Feng Zhaobai, the head of the [Yanhuang Armory] in this realm." Upon hearing this, the girl paused, becoming even more frantic. "I''m sorry, I don''t have the authority to contact Director Feng directly. Please wait a moment!" Saying this, she picked up an old-fashioned phone and called an internal line. "Senior Brother Wang Hua, someone wants to see Director Feng... oh..." Covering the phone receiver, the girl turned her head and asked Zhu Haomiao. "What''s your name?" "Zhu Haomiao." "He says his name is Zhu Haomiao... what... oh, okay, okay." Hanging up the phone, the girl took a curious glance at the boy, apologetically expressing respect. "Please wait a moment, Senior Brother Wang will be up shortly." "Hmm." Stepping aside to wait quietly, listening to the chatter about him, Zhu Haomiao frowned with a curious expression. Perhaps it''s due to broad experience or a more solid [Dao Heart]... The onlookers, influenced by the supernatural charm, were discussing him, yet their reactions remained within a normal range, far less exaggerated than the "native mortals" of this realm... In other words, for those with a firm [Dao Heart], the influence of [Lust] isn''t very significant... While the young man pondered, a familiar figure approached with brisk strides, ready to give a bear hug. "Hahaha, Junior Brother Zhu, long time no... whoa, did you get plastic surgery?" The motion of opening his arms abruptly paused, as Wang Hua stared fixedly at Zhu Haomiao''s astonishingly unreal face, his eyes exaggeratedly widened like saucers. "Oh! So he got plastic surgery!!" "Hurry and ask which doctor did it! I want to go too!" Hearing enthusiastic yet restrained Korean voices from behind, Zhu Haomiao frowned with figurative black lines on his forehead and explained in a volume just loud enough for those around to hear. "It''s just that my bloodline awakened naturally, so I ended up looking like this..." Upon saying this, the envious glances around him pierced like needles from all directions, and Zhu Haomiao even heard the sound of teeth grinding. "Getting a special bloodline at the First Layer Heaven, you high-rank [God''s Destiny] are truly something!" Unreserved in his expression of envy, jealousy, and hatred, Wang Hua''s face showed grievance as he complained. But when he noticed the silver [Dragon Emblem] on the boy''s chest, his ecstatic features gradually twisted. "Sil...silver?" In fact, the chests of most of the young men and women in the hall bore silver badges, and occasionally golden badges could be seen. Zhu Haomiao''s silver [Dragon Emblem] blended in unobtrusively, merging with the crowd. But Wang Hua knew that when he first met the guy, he was just a clueless Black Iron rookie! How long has it been since then? Front and back, not even a virtual year! Excluding the reality rest time, there might not even be six months available for cultivation! Six months! S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In six months, he leaped two levels from Black Iron to Silver, reaching the mainstream pace of contenders! You have to know, these contenders are the Heaven''s Chosen Sons of their respective countries! Each one of them is a king in their circle, a genius unrivaled in the eyes of others! Achievements they take years, even decades to attain were caught up by someone in only half a year! If those contenders knew the details, who knows how devastated they''d feel... Some might not even be able to withstand it, resulting in mental demons and damaged Dao Hearts... Glancing around the bustling hall, Wang Hua eyed these naive little brothers and sisters with deep sympathy. To compete on the same stage with such a monster, you''re truly miserable... Instantly, he felt a gleeful anticipation and slight gloating at the impending show. Thankfully...this monster belongs to us... If he wins the championship, my performance bonus will be secure! Thinking this, Wang Hua''s envy, jealousy, and resentment gradually faded, replaced by the joy of catching a big fish. "Ahem, Junior Brother Zhu, you''re looking for Senior Brother Feng, right? I''ll go inquire." Picking up the phone, Wang Hua dialed the internal line, quickly getting the details. "Senior Brother Feng is in a meeting, let''s head upstairs and wait for him." Wang Hua led Zhu Haomiao to the second floor. The noise below seemed isolated by a mysterious force, becoming instantly quiet. Even the sound of flipping pages in the adjacent office could be heard. Without the stares making him feel prickly, Zhu Haomiao remembered to ask about the situation. "Senior Brother Wang, why are there so many people at our [Yanhuang Armory]?" Chapter 85 - 85: East Asia Monster Room Upon hearing this, Wang Hua gave him a strange look. "The second phase of the Ascension Competition has started, and the only gathering point in East Asia is Shanghai, so they definitely have to come together!" "What? The second phase has started?" "You didn''t know? Recently, there have been energy field broadcasts covering the entire world every day. You have the [Dragon Emblem], so you definitely should have received it." "..." Seeing the young boy''s awkward expression, Wang Hua rubbed his chin. "That shouldn''t be the case, even if you returned to reality for a break, the committee would have sent a message to your phone. Didn''t you receive it?" "Uh... I didn''t really pay attention." Zhu Haomiao pulled a reluctant but polite smile and decisively changed the topic. "Senior Brother Wang, is the difficulty of the second phase high?" "It''s the same as previous years, points battles hyped for viewership and gambling. Even if you''re eliminated, there''s a revival match, making it all flashy and showy..." Hearing Wang Hua''s words, Zhu Haomiao was slightly stunned, as the once sacred and passionate Ascension Competition in his heart inexplicably took on a whiff of money. Sounds a bit like those talent shows in my past life... Wait, viewership and gambling? Can the competitions in the Illusion Realm be broadcast to reality too? On the other hand, Wang Hua, unaware of Zhu Haomiao''s subtle emotion, continued to speak tirelessly. "The matches below are ongoing, so if you don''t have anything to do later, you can go watch. Even if you don''t go on stage, watching some elite players spar can give you a lot of experience." "We are recognized as the East Asia Monster Room, with the highest competition level in the world. Many top contenders from other continents travel long distances specifically to come to Shanghai to compete." Saying this, Wang Hua recalled something and couldn''t help but laugh. "Of course, there are some who enjoy bullying novices and specifically go to the Newbie Village to ''catch fish''. I heard that the Malacca arena was made miserable by a few ''Overseas Dragons''." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s face twisted into a strange grimace, reminded of a server from a game in his past life. Experts liked to go to the Korea server to hone their skills, while some with malicious tastes liked to go to the Japan server to bully novices. In one match, seven or eight players would dominate, all speaking Chinese, leaving the little idiot without any gaming experience. As they chatted, the two arrived at an open rest area, and Wang Hua invited Zhu Haomiao to sit. "Let''s just wait here. They''ve been at it all morning, shouldn''t take much longer." As soon as he finished speaking, the doors of the meeting room a little distance away slowly opened. Individuals with deep and profound auras filed out, each wearing a prestigious and elegant Purple Gold Badge on their chest. Seeing so many dominance-level existences for the first time, Zhu Haomiao instinctively stood up with Wang Hua, watching them leave. At the same time, at the tail of the group, Feng Zhaobai stepped out of the meeting room and immediately saw the two. A fleeting astonished and impressed look passed over as Feng Zhaobai calmly shook hands and bid farewell to people around him, then directly walked toward the two. "Junior Brother Zhu." Sharply sensing a hint of suppressed eagerness in Feng Zhaobai''s actions, everyone turned their gaze upon the young boy, expressions varied. "What a handsome face." "Supernatural charm..." "Probably has special lineage." "Most likely has a top-tier [God''s Destiny]." "Daluo Golden Immortal?" Inaudible whispers exchanged among the crowd. Seeing Feng Zhaobai "rudely" abandon them to greet the young boy with unprecedented enthusiasm and guide him into a side meeting room, their gazes turned even more subtly complex. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. This implied that in Feng Zhaobai''s eyes, their importance as dominance-level beings was less than a silver-level rookie, bypassing even the courtesy of seeing off guests. This was quite an abnormal signal in China''s diplomacy system, which placed huge importance on etiquette. "I heard they let an [Abyss] in..." "Could it be the Dragon''s son..." At this, everyone''s eyelids twitched. The Dragon''s son... just hearing the name was thrilling! "Uh... everyone, this way please." At this moment, the staff member who was initially idle finally realized something was amiss and hurriedly took over Feng Zhaobai''s role, courteously seeing everyone out. Taking one last deep look at the tightly closed meeting room door, everyone slowly left under the staff''s guidance, their expressions varied as they departed. Some were amused, some wary, some disgruntled, some delighted, and still others were envious... On the other side, in the warmly decorated meeting room, after brief small talk, Zhu Haomiao was the first to speak. "Senior Brother Feng, since I''ve now ascended to silver, can I take on some golden-level tasks?" Hearing the young boy''s request, Feng Zhaobai instinctively looked at Wang Hua. "You haven''t told him?" Wang Hua shrugged helplessly: "I haven''t had time yet." "Oh." Feng Zhaobai nodded and turned to Zhu Haomiao. "Junior Brother Zhu, if you''re aiming for contribution points, then I suggest you participate directly in the second phase of the Ascension Competition''s points battles." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao felt a stir in his heart: "Do competitions also award contribution points?" "..." Feng Zhaobai and Wang Hua exchanged a glance, their mouths twitching in a mix of amusement and helplessness. "Your participation in the Ascension Competition represents the nation, bringing honor to the country. You don''t think the nation is so stingy as to only cancel your ''loan interest'', do you?" "Think bigger~" Feng Zhaobai made a gesture and started speaking eloquently. "Why is the Ascension Competition so attractive to young talents globally?" "Besides broadening perspectives, breaking through bottlenecks, and rapidly progressing, the most important reason is that you can gain both fame and fortune by participating. For some kids with humble backgrounds, this might be the only chance for a class transition in their lifetime..." "Being born in China, you don''t feel the suffocating class oppression abroad, nor do you understand their desperation for a path to ascension..." At this, Feng Zhaobai shook his head with a sigh. "Anyway, getting off track, back to the Ascension Competition. After the second phase points battles start, each time you defeat an opponent, it equates to completing a task corresponding to the opponent''s energy level, earning the maximum contribution reward." "For instance, defeating a Silver Level opponent earns you a maximum of 100 contribution points." "If you defeat a Golden Level opponent, you earn 500 points!" Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s words, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes shone brighter and brighter. "What if I defeat a Purple Gold Dominance Level opponent?" "Huh?" Stunned for a second, Feng Zhaobai quickly recovered and chuckled meaningfully. "Starting at 1000, no upper limit." "However, at this stage, no contender has yet ascended to the dominance level." "Of course, a few years from now, we might see a large-scale collective ascension leading to a situation informally known as a [Battle of the Gods], but looking back at past [U18 Ascension Competitions], such years of genius surges are rare, typically ending with just one or two lucky ones ascending to the dominance level." Chapter 86 - 86: The Conspiracy "If you win the championship in the year of the {Battle of the Gods}, the weight carried would be absolutely explosive, and you probably wouldn''t lack Contribution Points throughout the whole Initial Heavenly Position..." Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s words, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but think of the NBA from his previous life. Although the {Ascension Competition} and the {NBA} appear entirely different, their intrinsic logic bears a similar charm. Just as Zhu Haomiao''s thoughts were swirling, Feng Zhaobai was the first to stand up. "Let''s go, we''ll take you for a look around first." Led by Feng Zhaobai and Wang Hua, the three of them passed through the first-floor hall, descended down the stairs, and arrived at a spacious underground area. Glancing around, the place was funnel-shaped, with the highest point reaching over a hundred meters. Spotlights were scattered around, and in the very center was a massive square arena where two shadows were fighting fiercely, the screeching noise from their clashing weapons audible from afar. Gazing at this space resembling a large stadium, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but twitch his eye. On the other side, seemingly having noticed his astonishment, Feng Zhaobai quietly explained. "Just Sumeru Mustard Seed technology, no need to be so shocked." "..." Realizing once again the shallowness of his own knowledge, Zhu Haomiao nodded in admiration. But as the three of them approached the arena and entered the exclusive spectator area for committee staff, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but ask. "Senior Brother Feng, are those things cameras?" Following the direction of the young man''s finger, Feng Zhaobai nodded calmly. "Yes, high-speed cameras, capable of precisely capturing the details of the match." "Are those {True Objects}?" Hearing this, Feng Zhaobai chuckled and shook his head. "How could that be? They''re all locally made products." "But it''s only the nineteenth century!" Those machines, which looked incredibly sophisticated, were completely different from the style of the Illusion Realm! Upon hearing Zhu Haomiao''s confusion, Feng Zhaobai patiently explained. "Abroad, there''s a {True Object} from a future world line, similar to a sci-fi version of a 3D printer. As long as you input raw materials and energy, it can ''print'' any part that conforms to physical laws." "Although its production capacity is small, bringing it into the Illusion Realm, it''s not a problem to produce a few high-precision cameras..." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao nodded with a sudden understanding, thoughtfully looking around. Initially, he thought the people in the first-floor hall were quite numerous, but he didn''t expect the real crowd to be in this underground arena. However, due to the expansion granted by Sumeru Mustard Seed technology, the entire space appeared extraordinarily vast and empty. Even if the front row of the audience was full, it didn''t look crowded overall. Inconspicuously observing the scene, Zhu Haomiao noticed that among the audience, there were many who clearly were not contenders in the {Ascension Competition}, appearing to be middle-aged men and women in their thirties or forties. Many of them enthusiastically waved tickets in their hands, seeming more excited and frenzied than the contenders on the stage! "Senior Brother Feng, who are those people?" Following Zhu Haomiao''s gaze, a hint of disdain and helplessness flickered in Feng Zhaobai''s eyes. "Some of them are gamblers looking for a thrill, and every {Ascension Competition} is a carnival for them." "Some are {tourists} who like to wander around, like street wanderers in the All Heavens Illusion Realm." "Moreover, there are also spies from various forces, specializing in gathering and assessing the contenders'' information during the match, establishing profiles for outstanding ones, making future approaches and recruiting easier..." "You can think of them as advanced versions of talent scouts and scouts, similar to legitimate spies." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help frowning slightly: "Doesn''t the country care if they step into the {Yanhuang Armory}? Why not prohibit them?" Feng Zhaobai shook his head: "Actually, this venue has many entrances. Those who enter from the {Yanhuang Armory} are contenders from various countries or related staff, ordinary audience run through other passages..." "As for why we don''t prohibit them..." Saying this, Feng Zhaobai gazed up with a melancholic look, sighing helplessly. "They offer too much..." "..." Looking around the auditorium that could fit tens of thousands, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized, nodding in agreement with a heavy heart. Seeing other competition zones making huge profits, isn''t it more painful than losing money myself?! It''s not a matter of principle, nor does it affect the real world... Can''t just stop making money for a bit of morality, can we? Thud! At this moment, a massive shockwave swept across the arena, instantly thrilling all the spectators into cheers. In the center of the battlefield, victory and defeat were already decided between two contenders. A glamorous-looking girl stood on the chest of a burly boy, raising her elegant neck high like a proud peacock. "Lowly dog from the North! Do you yield?!" Pressing hard against the boy beneath her foot, the girl sneered in contempt. The boy, initially with a weakened aura, upon hearing this, instantly had his eyes flood with blood, suddenly unleashing great strength to overturn the girl, and the two promptly clashed again. Seeing this scene, Feng Zhaobai angrily glared at Wang Hua. "You put North and South Koreans together, afraid they''d not fight to the death?" Upon hearing this, Wang Hua defended in grievance. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "It was really randomly arranged, besides, there are so many contestants from the North and South Korea, they were bound to meet!" Seeing Feng Zhaobai''s nonchalant reaction, Wang Hua leaned closer to Zhu Haomiao, whispering complaints. "When they need us, we''re like sweethearts, but when we''re not needed, he accuses me of rigging, Senior Brother Feng is so double-standard!" Feng Zhaobai: "What did you say?" "Nothing! Nothing!" Glaring at Wang Hua harshly, Feng Zhaobai turned to Zhu Haomiao, his expression instantly warming. "Junior Brother Zhu, do you want to go up and give it a try?" "Uh¡­ is it okay?" Zhu Haomiao rubbed his hands, a little excited. Having ascended to silver, even he didn''t know how strong he was! "Generally speaking, to facilitate replays in reality and betting, the schedule needs to be arranged two or three days in advance after registration, but sometimes you can get special priority." Saying this, Feng Zhaobai looked at Wang Hua beside him, his expression suddenly cold. "Arrange a suitable opponent for Junior Brother Zhu to experience." "Ah? Can you really do that? Wouldn''t it be bad?" Experiencing the power of a backdoor for the first time, Zhu Haomiao found himself biting his lip with uneasy guilt. Seeing this, Wang Hua waved his hand indifferently. "It''s not like we''re asking the opponent to throw the match, just a little flexibility within the rules, you could think of it as a home field advantage, the real outcome still comes down to your actual strength." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao effortlessly nodded in agreement. "Then I''ll trouble Senior Brother Wang." "You''re welcome, I''ll arrange a Japanese contender for you, we have an old feud with each other, even if you beat him to death, no one will say anything, you can go all out!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." Chapter 87 - 87: An Evenly Matched Opponent Wang Hua rubbed his hands together, looking excited as if the more chaos, the better. This made Feng Zhaobai, standing next to him, give him another glance. "Junior Brother Zhu is new to silver, find him a match with an evenly matched opponent!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." High EQ: Evenly matched! Low EQ: Weaklings pecking at each other! Looking at the Purple Gold gleam flashing across Feng Zhaobai''s chest from the [Dragon Emblem], Zhu Haomiao felt an unintended insult. Dammit! I don''t want an evenly matched opponent! I want to fight ten!! With his clenched fists slightly trembling, Zhu Haomiao was furious for a moment, then looked at Wang Hua with a solemn expression. "Then I''ll trouble you, Senior Brother Wang." "No trouble at all, there''s a little idiot who''s been acting way too arrogant. I''ve disliked him for a long time!" Wang Hua excitedly rubbed his hands and turned to arrange a setup, leaving Zhu Haomiao and Feng Zhaobai to observe the arena. Meanwhile, on the stage, a temporary Burst Seed sturdy boy ultimately failed to beat a dazzling girl, as she struck his temple with a high whip kick. The violent strength shot into his skull like a football, instantly kicking his eyeballs out of the sockets, and he fell straight onto the stage. Thud~ The heavy body hit the ground, and yellow-white brain matter mixed with blood formed a viscous liquid slowly seeping out from the boy''s seven orifices, his eyes still staring ahead in agony and disbelief. "The winner, South Korea, Jin Xianzhu." As the referee confirmed the opponent''s loss of life, the entire arena erupted with deafening roars. "You useless piece of trash!" "Hahaha, I knew it! I won!" ... Various languages of ghostly wailing resonated around, Zhu Haomiao looked expressionlessly at the dazzling girl venting her anger on the corpse, slightly furrowing his brow. Noticing his subtle emotions, Feng Zhaobai next to him curved his lips with a half-smile. "Still not used to death?" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao calmly shook his head. "Not really, it''s just the first time seeing a descender die in reality, it does leave some impact." S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Haha, I can understand, I felt the same way as you initially." Patting the boy''s shoulder, Feng Zhaobai nostalgically looked into the void and softly murmured. "Illusion Realm! Illusion Realm! Everything is like an illusion, a bubble, a shadow!" "To us, indigenous creatures in the Illusion Realm are more like NPCs in a game, and many people can kill them without a psychological burden. But when facing descenders in reality, many feel empathy for their kind." "But this actually shows that the [Dao Heart] is immature." "Are Illusion Realm''s indigenous creatures really just a string of ''codes'' without their own joys and sorrows?" "What''s the deal with invasive species on Earth for millions of years?" "All countries avoid this issue because once you admit that people in the Illusion Realm are also humans, you''ll be stuck in a huge ethical dilemma." "Is it illegal to kill people in the Illusion Realm? Does it apply to the law in reality?" "One question can cause governments of all countries to crash!" "Moreover, even if it applies to real-world laws, no country''s government can infiltrate the enforcement agencies into the All Heavens Illusion Realm to actually exercise law enforcement." "Furthermore, countries with a [High Morality Disadvantage] will incur huge additional costs in Illusion Realm development, ultimately being eliminated by countries with a [Low Morality Advantage]!" "This is a world of comparing the worst, and our Chinese Civilization is innately at a great disadvantage. The only thing we can do is..." Pausing, Feng Zhaobai looked deeply at Zhu Haomiao and pointed at his own heart. "Keep a clear conscience." "In both reality and the Illusion Realm, treat all living beings equally, with a clear [Dao Heart], naturally, there will be no confusion." Saying this, Feng Zhaobai forcefully patted Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder. "Respect life, recognize your true self, be cautious of killing, but don''t fear slaughter!" "Even the Buddha had a wrathful Vajra. Our Chinese Civilization has always been cautious in war, not afraid of war!" "Understand?" Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s earnest words, understanding that he was using this opportunity to help him establish the right worldview and avoid falling into the path of evil, Zhu Haomiao solemnly nodded. "I understand, thank you for the guidance." Seeing this, Feng Zhaobai breathed a sigh of relief, revealing a gratified smile, feeling a surge of immense accomplishment. If he could guide an [Abyss] to the right path, it would be an immeasurable merit... At this moment, Wang Hua hurriedly ran back, gesturing an OK sign to the two of them. "All set!" A moment later, the broadcast announced the match info: "Next match, Japan contender Susano-o versus Chinese contender Zhu Haomiao." "Both sides, please prepare." The sudden announcement left the entire audience looking at each other in confusion. "What''s going on? This isn''t the same as on the match table?" "Who cares, just go place your bets! Getting contenders from these two countries together is sure to be exciting!" "Yeah!" Thinking of the national hatred between the two sides, a group of gamblers'' eyes lit up, rushing quickly to the betting location. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao walked into the contender''s passage accompanied by Wang Hua. As he walked, the boy''s mind echoed Feng Zhaobai''s words just now, and he inexplicably remembered the inscription on the [Book of Black], subconsciously muttering. "Stay true to oneself, do what you want..." Wang Hua, hearing the murmurs faintly, looked over curiously. "What did you say?" "Nothing... nothing." Faintly creating a subtle misunderstanding, thinking that the boy grew timid before the battle, Wang Hua patted Zhu Haomiao''s back enthusiastically, loudly encouraging him. "Junior Brother Zhu, don''t be nervous, that little idiot just advanced to silver recently, you''ll definitely be fine!" "Uh... alright." Suppressing the bloodthirsty desire stirring in his heart, Zhu Haomiao nodded calmly, slowly stepping towards the stage, entering the waiting area. Meanwhile, seeing Wang Hua excitedly return to the audience area, a subtle sense of unease welled up in Feng Zhaobai''s heart. Susano-o... this name sounds familiar? Narrowing his eyes, Feng Zhaobai looked at Wang Hua beside him: "Are you sure it''s arranged properly?" Wang Hua flashed a bright smile, giving a thumbs up, his white teeth gleaming under the lights. "Don''t worry, a little idiot who just advanced to silver, guaranteed to be an evenly matched opponent!" Hearing this, the unease in Feng Zhaobai''s heart not only didn''t ease but grew stronger. However, he then shook his head self-deprecatingly. Who can defeat an [Abyss] in the same realm? It''s simply unfounded fear! ......... "Both contenders, please step onto the stage!" Stepping onto the stage, standing on the diagonal corners of the square stage, Zhu Haomiao saw his opponent. He was a handsome, tall teenager, his whole body covered in compact muscles. But the arrogance and intensely scornful, aggressive gaze on his face gave people not a sense of affection but rather vigilance and fear. Chapter 88 - 88: Strength Will Attract Strength! In just a moment of eye contact, Zhu Haomiao understood why Wang Hua disliked him. This guy really deserved a beating! Pulling his lips slightly, Zhu Haomiao took off his hood and unclasped his cloak, and his exquisite, beautiful features immediately sparked a buzz from the audience below, while also causing his opponent to frown in displeasure and snort coldly. "Hmph! Useless trash that looks good but is worthless!" From a short distance away, Zhu Haomiao heard his opponent''s undisguised taunt, and responded with a gracious, slight smile. His calm and steady smile only fueled his opponent''s anger further and caused the brows of two identical twin girls in the audience to furrow tightly. "Sister, I can''t see little brother''s fate anymore... it''s obscured by a gray-white mist..." With her little hand tightly held by her sister, the girl with the luxurious gold adornment in her hair had eyes that shone with brilliant divine light, staring intently into the void, but the next second, her body trembled violently, and she closed her eyes in pain. "Yueyejian..." "Here." "Seal the Gate of Netherworld, just in case... protect little brother''s Source Quality and Divinity." Understanding what her sister was preparing for, the girl with a silver adornment in her hair and a cool, mysterious demeanor had her pupils constrict slightly as she incredulously gazed at the seemingly harmless, beautiful young man on the stage. "What exactly is he?" "I don''t know. It''s a bottomless darkness... like an abyss... cannot be stared at directly..." Holding her sister''s small hand tighter, the dignified and elegant girl opened her eyes, and what was once crystal clear now had a barely noticeable crack. Simultaneously, as if sensing the attention, Zhu Haomiao on the stage had a feeling in his heart, instinctively looking towards the audience, immediately spotting the two impeccably beautiful girls among the crowd. An uncontrollable desire exploded from his abdomen, and Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, using all his strength to suppress the raging pink divine light in his eyes. For the first time feeling such intense [Lust] in the Illusion Realm, before Zhu Haomiao could figure it out, a hostile question suddenly reached him from beside. "What are you looking at? Ant?" Whoosh~ The violent power tore through the air, dragging a deep whistling sound, and Zhu Haomiao instinctively raised his hand to block sideways, instantly feeling an irresistible force coming from his arm. Thud~ In the next second, his whole body flew up directly, moving sideways in the air for more than ten meters, adjusting his posture while floating, and after landing with difficulty, he staggered back several meters before stabilizing himself. On the other side, realizing he hadn''t squashed the bug in his eyes with a slap, Susano-o furrowed his brows as an uncontrollable flame of anger surged in his heart. A mere insect, unwilling to die obediently, dares to survive?!! "Roar!" Following the instinct of destruction, Susano-o''s muscles rolled and swelled all over, transforming the whole person into a stream of light, rushing towards Zhu Haomiao with a piercing sound. In a fleeting moment, just two moves left all the spectators on the scene stunned. "Is this freaking Silver Level?" Meanwhile, in a special viewing area, Feng Zhaobai slowly turned his head to look at Wang Hua, his sharp, oppressive gaze causing Wang Hua to sweat profusely. "This is your so-called... evenly matched opponent?" Wang Hua: "....." The data did indeed show that he was a newly promoted Silver Level! Seeing Wang Hua sweating profusely, Feng Zhaobai gritted his teeth and refocused on the stage. He inwardly understood that there was much information Wang Hua couldn''t actually access; he didn''t know this year''s Ascension Competition was full of monsters, and by coincidence, he had arranged a [True Evenly Matched] opponent! Perhaps... this is fate... Power attracts power! Monsters attract monsters! On a higher-dimensional timeline, perhaps they are destined to meet! At the same time, Feng Zhaobai finally remembered where he had heard the name Susano-o. In Japan''s mythology... "What about Japan''s Martial God? Just see if you can defeat the [Dragon''s Son]..." Slowly exhaling a murky breath, Feng Zhaobai''s gaze gradually regained calmness, staring intently at the two figures on the stage. Boom! A massive fist carrying a piercing Gang Wind crashed down, yet it was steadily caught by a slender, fair hand. The moment of collision exploded a circle of visible shockwaves, with violent overpressure ripples spreading at supersonic speed, sweeping through the entire underground arena, instantly allowing the front-row audience to feel the surging wind on their faces. It was like sticking one''s head out of a high-speed train going hundreds of kilometers per hour; the front-row audience instinctively closed their eyes, being pressed hard against the back of the chair by the impact, feeling slight tremors in their internal organs. Soon, as the ripples receded, the audience opened their eyes, moving from momentary fear to unprecedented excitement. "Dammit!!" "fxck!" "Shibal!" ... Various national curses vented inner excitement, and many professionals, awakened from previous disinterest, took out pocket notebooks and excitedly eyed the two young men on the stage. In the center of the battlefield, Zhu Haomiao slowly raised his head, his crimson pupils filled with ferocious and cruel bloodlust. On the other side, Susano-o''s brow twitched slightly. In his extraordinary vision, a rich, invisible blood-red mist emerged on the enemy''s body surface. These fine blood-red particles flickered and swayed, like flames consuming and burning, vaguely containing a familiar yet unfamiliar divinity. It was the Authority of the Destroyer God! But before he could carefully sense it, Zhu Haomiao, releasing the power of [anger], suddenly switched to the offensive, viciously pulling Susano-o''s fist towards his chest, simultaneously launching his other fist like a cannonball straight at Susano-o''s face. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Dispelling any thoughts of underestimating the enemy, Susano-o''s eyes glimmered with divine light, and the intense energy surged and roared along his meridians. His five fingers spread like open iron claws, precisely intercepting Zhu Haomiao''s fist before it could unleash its maximum destructive power! Boom! Another shockwave exploded in mid-air as the two young men held each other''s fists, staring into each other''s eyes, revealing bloodthirsty and cruel grins simultaneously. It was the delight of top predators discovering their prey! "Die!" With their upper limbs locked in a stalemate, both sides opted to knee each other, simultaneously stomping each other''s chest and abdomen. Boom! The mutually damaging blows sent both flying backward like a cannonball, instantly rebounding dozens of meters away. "Cough cough cough..." Half-kneeling on the ground, Zhu Haomiao clutched his chest and abdomen, using all his might to suppress the blood rising in his throat. Even if he pushed the third layer of [Hard Qi Skill] to the limit, weakening and dispersing the destructive power as much as possible, his enemy''s strength still penetrated the muscles and fascia, causing internal injuries to his fragile organs. Dammit, just any Silver Rank is this strong, I really underestimated the heroes of the world! Zhu Haomiao could faintly feel that many capillaries in his internal organs had burst, and massive internal bleeding was slowly draining his life. And at that moment, he suddenly sensed some movement within the [Book of Black], his spirit prompted to activate its Authority. Chapter 89 - 89: Orochi Lust! The pink divinity in the deep pupils flashed and disappeared, and an endless warm energy surged from the lower abdomen, flowing through the meridians and blood vessels all over the body, instantly stopping all internal bleeding and healing the injuries at a speed visible to the naked eye. As expected! The level 4 Lust authority is definitely not just about becoming handsome! Lust governs birth and reproduction... From a conceptual perspective, it possesses nearly endless life force! As long as I activate it, I can obtain a supernatural-level self-healing ability! With this understanding, Zhu Haomiao slowly stood up, the intense pain in his organs quickly dissipating, as he subconsciously rubbed the area around his stomach. He could feel the large amount of food he consumed earlier being rapidly digested and absorbed, converted into nutrition and energy, merging with his spiritual energy to form a surging torrent of life force into the wounded areas. The self-healing ability of Lust is not created from nothing but is limited by food reserves and the Essence attribute! With a slight movement in his eyes, Zhu Haomiao looked up at the enemy not far away, finding that he too was enduring the pain and standing upright, though the uncontrollable twitching of his brow betrayed his true feelings. Both sides had fully suffered a gut-wrenching kick from each other, so the enemy''s injuries would not be lighter than his own! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But... I''m waiting to heal, what are you waiting for? Crack, crack~ Gently turning his head, with a crisp cracking sound in his neck, Zhu Haomiao curled his lips and beckoned with his finger. The silent provocation made Susano-o''s eyes turn red. Looking at Zhu Haomiao''s condescending and disdainful gaze, Susano-o''s anger seemed to be stirred by something, uncontrollably surging and roaring. "You pathetic wretch! You have no idea what you''ve angered!!" Bang! Ignoring the intense pain in his organs, Susano-o''s muscles surged, and his feet dug a shallow pit in the arena floor, his whole body swelling like a balloon, lunging towards Zhu Haomiao like a beast. Watching the invisible blood-colored mist steaming around him, Zhu Haomiao slightly squinted his eyes and discreetly pushed his Gale Force to the limit. Even before the attack arrived, the intense wind pressure hit his face. Catching the right moment, Zhu Haomiao used Plum Blossom Step to dodge almost brushing against the attack, aiming at the enemy''s open side, with a leg raised in a sidekick. Pushing off the ground, twisting his waist, rotating his hips... Stacked Waves Strength! The tremendous power surged from the bottom up, his swinging long leg like a giant axe chopping towards the enemy''s side ribs, which, if hit directly, could instantly break their ribs! At the critical moment, Susano-o elbow-blocked, his thick arm muscles forming a shield to ward off Zhu Haomiao''s whipping leg. Bang! It was like a heavy truck crashing into a rubber wall, the dull thud echoing in one''s heart, sending the massive Susano-o flying straight across the arena, stumbling to a stop after bouncing and rolling four or five meters. Without rushing to attack, Zhu Haomiao leisurely strolled with a contemptuous smile on his handsome face, driving Susano-o crazy. It was the disdain an upper rank shows towards a lower rank! "How dare you!!" The anger burning like a tangible fire in his heart, a faintly visible phantom twisted the air, forming a misty humanoid silhouette that enveloped Susano-o. In an instant, the well-informed audience burst into amazed exclamations. "Fatian Xiangdi?!" "Spiritual Projection?!" "Is this really Silver Level?!!" On the stage, Zhu Haomiao looked up at the towering, over three-meter-tall, oppressive misty figure, feeling a trace of envy and jealousy despite being shocked. It looks cool... I want it too... The next second, following his will, the Book of Black subtly resonated, releasing supernatural authority to twist cause and effect, directly changing reality on a conceptual level. Jealousy! Buzz~ A twisted, evil whisper flashed across Susano-o''s ears, and in the void, he sensed that part of his divine authority had been stolen by some eerie force, something extracted from a higher dimension and "grafted" onto the enemy! Feeling weakened at a fundamental level, shock and anger, madness overtook his mind, Susano-o fixed his gaze on Zhu Haomiao, his icy white teeth grinding with a clatter. "What have you done to me?!!!" On the other side, Zhu Haomiao also looked surprised, somehow instinctively mastering this peculiar authority. He watched his slowly clenching fists, sensing the surging alien authority within his body, and activated it intuitively. Boom! Similarly, a layer of misty phantom gathered around Zhu Haomiao, outlining a massive, oppressive, faint silhouette visible to the naked eye. "What? He also has a Dharma Form?!" Exclamations erupted from the audience, while some seasoned spies squinted, noting the reciprocal changes between the two on their small notepads with frenzied scribbles. "Suspected of possessing an ability to steal an enemy''s powers, danger level S, requires special attention in combat!!" On the battlefield, Zhu Haomiao''s lips involuntarily curved into a wide grin, thrilled by the first-ever display of the miraculous Original Sin of Jealousy. Jealousy... Stealing the enemy''s power... One enhancement, one reduction, the practical effect in battle is practically cheat-level! It makes no sense at all!! Feeling the all-encompassing surge of violent power, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, combining the stolen alien authority with his Original Sin, his eyes flickering with a chilling hungry green light. Gluttony!! Buzz~ The surrounding misty silhouette slightly solidified, transforming into a spectral beast. Eight snake-like heads swayed, the massive body enveloping Zhu Haomiao, with faintly visible large, translucent scales. "Nine-Headed Snake??!" "Hydra?" "Xiang Liu?" ... Speculative exclamations came from the audience, while two exquisitely beautiful girls, upon seeing the familiar outline, sharply narrowed their pupils, forcing out four words through clenched teeth. "Orochi!!" On the stage, Zhu Haomiao clenched his fists, feeling the surging, roaring power within his body, slightly squinting his eyes. Gluttony, Lust, Jealousy, Anger, along with the maximized Stacked Waves Strength, Gale Force, Hard Qi Skill... All kinds of Extraordinary Powers stacked together, making his combat power surge madly while also causing his Essence, Qi, and Spirit to leak wildly like a floodgate. This is absolutely not the power a Silver Level should have, and so, with a small energy reserve of Silver Level, it simply cannot sustain an all-out effort for long... The battle must be quick! Complex thoughts flashed like lightning and stone fire in his mind, and Zhu Haomiao suddenly looked up at the enemy, his silhouette instantly disappearing from where he stood. Chapter 90 - 90: Superpower Level Monster Susano-o keenly caught a fleeting afterimage and swung his fist outward. The illusory shadow enveloping his body moved in sync, colliding harshly with the incoming biting snake head. Boom! Maintaining the posture of stepping forward and punching, the two youths collided from several meters apart. The illusory shadow enveloping their bodies was like substantial armor, bursting into dazzling sparks at the point of impact. The next second, using the collision point as the center, an area compressed into a vacuum exploded. A visible shock wave twisted the air, instantly expanding, transforming into a fierce Gang Wind sweeping across the entire underground space. The fierce wind made everyone squint, but they dared not look away for a moment, afraid of missing the highlight of the fight. On the stage, both were evenly matched in their punch exchange. They immediately rebounded using the counterforce, and after a slight Qi Recovery, the illusory shadows behind them, rippling like water, solidified again. Soon, the two pulled out afterimages in the air at even faster speeds, colliding like two streaks of light. Boom! Boom! Boom! ... The continuous sonic booms sounded like a string of firecrackers exploding. The two youths unreservedly unleashed their inner destructive desires, pouring out their overwhelming power without hesitation. Under the blessing of supernatural laws, every movement from both sides contained immense power that was disproportionate to their size. As energy circulation reached its peak, they fought faster and stronger. Many weaker members of the audience couldn''t capture their concrete figures and could only see them instantaneously stopping to collide, then suddenly disappearing from their original positions, flashing to another spot. And the massive illusory shadows enveloping them radiated an indescribable pressure. The destructive power wasn''t exaggerated, but everyone seemed to witness two mythical creatures fighting each other! "This is definitely not the power a Silver Level should have!" "But [Illusion Gold] doesn''t lie, look at their chest emblems..." In an inconspicuous corner at the edge of the audience, several observers were taking notes excitedly and shockingly exchanging views with each other. "This indicates their Basic Attributes are only Silver Level, but the combat power they exhibit completely surpasses ordinary Gold. I even suspect they can resist dominance!" Upon hearing this, someone next to them shook their head disapprovingly. "Not necessarily, the absolute Destructive Power of dominance is much stronger than theirs. It''s just that their aura seems intimidating." Then, someone stood up immediately to remind, "Don''t forget, they are only Silver Level now. If in a few years, at the end of the competition, they ascend to Gold Level, I can''t imagine how strong they''ll be!" Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement with heartfelt emotion. After a brief silence, one of them sighed with emotion. "I''ve been an observer for so many years and seen all kinds of major situations, but this year... I really can''t understand..." "Yes... London, Cairo, New York... All districts have Superpower Level monsters appearing, and now even the Modu District has started to show them..." "That''s not surprising, East Asia has always been a Monster Room, producing several over-standard monsters every year. What''s odd is the unprecedented upsurge this year as if they are coming without limit!" "Exactly, in previous [U18 Ascension Competitions], at most, there were a few S-level contenders at the end. This time, at the beginning, there are dozens of S-level and SS-level contenders recorded!" Flipping through his notebook, one person looked at the two fiercely battling on stage and gave a bitter smile. "Now, well, we have to add two more to the list!" Speaking of this, a colleague rubbed his chin in thought: "What do you all think, who among them will win?" "I don''t know, but whoever wins, I will upgrade his potential assessment to SS-level." "However... It seems like they''re seriously fighting, and it looks like one of them might die today!" The gloating words made everyone''s eyes light up, watching the arena with keen interest. Meanwhile, after intense high-level combat, the two youths on the arena showed obvious signs of fatigue. Constrained by the carrying capacity of their flesh and blood, with the same Silver Level Basic Attributes, there actually wasn''t much difference in the maximum power both could exert. But the actual battle situation showed Zhu Haomiao overwhelmingly suppressing Susano-o the entire time! However, Susano-o himself knew that, in terms of absolute power, he was actually significantly stronger than his opponent. Yet he didn''t know what Evil Magic his opponent used to steal a portion of his Divine Authority and enhanced himself! With one added and one subtracted, the superior power was instantly reduced by three parts. The more fiercely they fought to the boiling point, the more this part of the power became like the last straw breaking the camel''s back, having increasingly evident effects. In the end, the pent-up anger in Susano-o''s heart rolled like a tsunami, driven mad by rage influenced by his original Divinity, making him progressively lose his mind. "Roar!" The hazy illusory shadow let out a powerful roar as if it were a living entity. Susano-o stared fiercely into Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, with bulging veins wriggling like earthworms across his forehead. "Damn bug!" "You dare to steal the Authority of God!!!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao curled his lips coldly, looking at him with mocking eyes as if seeing a maggot in the gutter. "God? You?" Shrimp, second-rate disease patient... The pride exuding from his bones made Susano-o instantly break down, as he could clearly sense that his opponent genuinely looked down on him from the bottom of his heart! He dared to look down on a true God!!! "I am a God, ignorant bug, you simply don''t know..." Before the impotent and angry words were finished, Zhu Haomiao seized the flaw, lifted his hand to make a virtual grab, an illusory snakehead suddenly sprang out and bit down on the ankle of the giant illusory figure. Susano-o: "..." The giant snake flung its neck, erupted with full strength, and swung the giant illusory figure like a windmill, whipping it left and right. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Smashing the enemy back and forth on the ground like flipping pancakes, each strike was like a mini-earthquake, making the entire underground space tremble slightly. Ignoring Susano-o''s struggle and roar, Zhu Haomiao frantically squeezed his spirit and body, overloading the operation of [Anger] power. Boom! Boom! Boom! Yet even when spiritual energy was nearly exhausted, the illusory shadow surrounding Susano-o still protected him tightly, although from a transcendent perspective, one could see web-like cracks spreading across its entire body. Seeing he was about to fail, Zhu Haomiao reached out for a virtual grasp, and a resplendent, luxurious Gold Coin appeared between his five fingers from thin air. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The next second, with a gentle flick of his thumb, the Gold Coin spun up into the air, slowly dematerializing as it fell, sinking into the illusory snake shadow enveloping Zhu Haomiao''s body like a stone dropping into a lake. [Greed]! Chapter 91 - 91: More Dishes Than Words Chaotic black light bloomed in his eyes, a powerful authority spreading down the timeline to borrow strength from his future self. Soon after, endless energy poured into his body from nowhere, the aura that had begun to wane and wither swelled madly. A twisted and sinister light exploded in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes as he slammed Susano-o to the ground, his foot stepping on his chest. The illusory Dharma Form was like a transparent armor protecting the enemy. Zhu Haomiao''s foot hovered several centimeters above his chest, gazing down at him with a sarcastic look. "Tsk tsk... such a weak God." "Beast! Beast! I will kill you! I will make you never reborn!!!" The blood-red-eyed Susano-o had lost his sanity, clinging to Zhu Haomiao''s ankle and struggling maniacally, but the other''s weight was like a mountain suppressing him, unmoving. Pouring all his energy into his foot, his slender calf was like a million-ton hydraulic press, slowly, steadily, and irresistibly pressing down. Crack crack crack... Amidst the bone-aching twisted sounds, Susano-o was slowly sinking, a clear human-shaped outline surfaced on the ring''s floor. At the same time, centered on Zhu Haomiao''s hovering foot, spider web-like cracked lines rapidly spread across the chest of the protective Dharma Form, the immense pressure making Susano-o''s cheeks flush red, gradually suffocating. "Be... beast... kill... kill... you..." Looking at the helpless rage beneath his foot, Zhu Haomiao curled his lips downward, eight sinister snake-head shadows waving behind him, once again raising a contemptuous smile that broke through Susano-o''s defenses. "Talkative newbie." "Ahhhhhhhh!!!" Violent and venomous blood-red divinity burst from Susano-o''s eyes, a stormy force exploded, seemingly about to overturn the suppressing Zhu Haomiao. But at this moment, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes burst with more violent and ruthless purple-gold sinister light, an irresistible absolute power descended from nowhere, instantly shattering the protective illusion beneath his foot! [Pride]! Boom! Having lost the divine protective illusion, Zhu Haomiao stepped down, like a sharp blade crushing the enemy''s chest, breaking through the ribs, his shoe penetrating the chest cavity until it crushed the spine. "..." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Time seemed to freeze at this moment. Susano-o stared blankly at the foot buried in his chest, seemingly unable to accept the fate of death, completely stupefied. However, the giant serpent shadow behind Zhu Haomiao, like a God Demon, did not stall, greedily opening its mouth as if a predator piercing through the prey''s shell, slowly lowering its eight heads. Crunch crunch crunch~~ Amidst the hair-raising terrified gazes of the audience, the eight snake heads tore, gnawed, and chewed on Susano-o''s limbs, like a real living demon! "Tsk..." Pulling his leg from the warm, wet chest cavity with some distaste, Zhu Haomiao frowned at his sullied leg, as if having crushed a bug. On the other side, seemingly unaware of the serpent gnawing at his limbs, Susano-o slowly moved his gaze from his hollow chest, glaring at Zhu Haomiao. But when he opened his mouth to say something, a torrent of blood surged from his throat, blocking all his words. Yet upon seeing his venomous, hateful, cursed gaze, Zhu Haomiao slightly bent down, confronting him directly, unabashedly meeting his eyes. "Now, do you know who the bug is?" "Heh heh..." Susano-o''s features instantly twisted more viciously, his upper body convulsing and springing up, blood gushing from his gaping mouth like a fountain, as if trying to roar something. Tilting his head, Zhu Haomiao chuckled with a taunting smile that could make one have a brain hemorrhage, savoring an unprecedentedly profound satisfaction while enjoying the enemy''s helpless rage before death. "I know you''re in a hurry, but hold on a bit..." Before he finished speaking, Susano-o spat a mouthful of blood, his vicious expression slowly freezing, bloodshot eyes venomously glaring at Zhu Haomiao, life breath quickly dissipating. "Tsk tsk... life force weaker than cockroach..." Pulling a disdainful corner smile, Zhu Haomiao slowly straightened his body, the giant serpent shadow enveloping him also ceased feeding, raising its twisted head, swaying and stretching, as if spying greedily and thirstily at this world. Despite the unclear appearance of the shadow, everyone present felt as if they were being stared at by a true ancient demon, their hair standing on end, instinctively tensed. That was fear engraved deep in the genes, being watched by a top predator! But as the target died, the authority stolen by [Jealousy] gradually dissipated, and the fierce twisted monster snake shadow faded away, everyone finally breaking free from the soul-choking oppression, exhaling heavily. Bathed in the respectful gazes of all, Zhu Haomiao remained oblivious, his deep gaze fixed on the enemy''s corpse, his focus gradually losing clarity, seeming to penetrate deeper dimensions. On a level beyond the physical, the soul left unprotected by the body was fully exposed to the radiation of the [Book of Black], the intense desires within, far surpassing mortals, roared like an ocean, continuously dissipating and evaporating. Narrowing his eyes slightly, like a hungry beast seeing blood food, Zhu Haomiao followed the instincts'' guidance, urging the authority of the [Book of Black]. The next second, the seven-colored mist that others could not observe soared like a torrent, pouring continuously into Zhu Haomiao''s body. Like a traveler about to die of thirst in the desert diving into a spring, Zhu Haomiao greedily absorbed the endless desire, black light writhing and rolling up in his eyes. But soon, the source quality and desire discharged by death were devoured entirely, the still intact Divine Soul protecting something even more precious, blocking external plundering. "Tsk~" Smacking his mouth unsatisfied, Zhu Haomiao was about to turn and step down the ring, when his vision suddenly blurred. An unexpectedly appearing girl in plain clothes, with a cold appearance, stood on the ring, gazing sorrowfully at the corpse on the ground, those pitiful eyes seemingly holding magic, making Zhu Haomiao''s heart involuntarily tighten. Then, she reached out her jade-white hand to close the wide-open dead eyes, casting a resentful, mournful gaze at Zhu Haomiao. Meeting those pitiful, sorrowful eyes, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably felt a hint of jealousy. Heaven is blind! Even a guy claiming he''s a God in a fit of chuuni can find such a beautiful girlfriend!! And they''re quick-attack twins!! In the corner of his eye, he saw another stunning girl below the stage, and Zhu Haomiao''s jealousy surged like a tidal wave. Despite the two girls'' appearances being eighty percent similar, their temperaments were completely different. Chapter 92 - 92: Just say whether you accept or not? One exuded a regal grandeur, proud and dazzling like an Empress, while the other was cold as frost, with an aura of detachment belonging to an ice-cold beauty. But regardless of which one it was, Zhu Haomiao had a strange possessiveness, as if these two girls were inherently his own. Unable to discern whether he was influenced by [Lust] or attracted by some more mysterious power, Zhu Haomiao experienced an unusually strong possessiveness while scrutinizing the cold girl at close range. "Is this your boyfriend?" Seeing the girl slowly squat down to lift the corpse, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but ask. Not expecting the boy to initiate a conversation, the girl''s movement paused and she shook her head slightly. "No, he''s my brother." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s heart skipped, and a mischievous smile appeared on his face as nonsensical words slipped out of his mouth. "Miss, you don''t want your brother''s body to be desecrated, do you?" "?" The girl turned around in surprise, her clear and pure large eyes full of confusion. "Ahem, I mean the referee hasn''t announced the end of the match. If you want to take away this... uh... brother of yours, you have to beg me!" By this time, Susano-o''s limbs had long been devoured, leaving only a torso with a gaping hole and an intact head. Glancing at the tragic remains on the ground, the girl blinked her pitiable large eyes, hesitated for a moment, and meekly bowed her head. "Please, I beg you." The soft and pleasant pleading stirred Zhu Haomiao''s heart, inflaming his evil and intense desires as he greedily stared at the girl. "When begging, show some cleavage..." Indulging in [Lust], [Dao Heart] -1 A prohibitive reminder shot from the [Book of Black], freezing Zhu Haomiao''s wicked smile on his face as he twitched his lips and waved his hand indifferently. "Go then." Hearing this, the girl silently bowed to Zhu Haomiao, calmly picked up the body, and slowly walked off the stage. Only then, did the sneaky referee climb onto the stage to announce the end of the match. "The winner, Zhu Haomiao." "Oh oh oh oh oh oh~~" In the cheers and curses of the crowd, Zhu Haomiao exchanged a distant glance with the regal girl offstage, sensing a mysterious entanglement of fate. As if in the future, there would be more complex entanglements between them. With one last deep look at Zhu Haomiao, the two girls left with the body, disappearing into the dark passageway. It wasn''t until their silhouettes completely vanished that Zhu Haomiao reluctantly pulled back his gaze, instinctively licking his lips. But this unconscious action made Zhu Haomiao''s pupils suddenly contract. He suddenly realized that within his desire for these two girls, there was a significant portion of..... Food! He wanted to eat them! In the literal sense! Shivering, Zhu Haomiao shook his head vigorously, trying to cast aside this blasphemous thought. People''s desires may be grounded, but they must never be netherworldly! "Fit to be eaten" is an adjective, not a verb! Eating while ***... that image alone is anti-human! With a shiver, Zhu Haomiao suppressed the "daring thought" and strolled off the platform. Walking towards him were Feng Zhaobai and Wang Hua, smiling as they greeted him. "How did it feel?" "Emmmm... I underestimated the heroes of the world. I didn''t expect any random Silver Level to be so powerful..." Hearing Zhu Haomiao''s emotional sigh, the smile on Feng Zhaobai''s face froze instantly as he turned to stare sharply at Wang Hua. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Look at the mess you''ve made! The recently relieved Wang Hua broke into a cold sweat and explained with a bitter smile. "Junior Brother Zhu, not every Silver Level is like just now..." "Huh?" "Actually... the combat power you displayed just exceeded that of an ordinary Golden Level. I accidentally found you an... Emmm... not quite normal opponent..." Zhu Haomiao: "......" No wonder I felt something was off! Although he spent most of his cultivation time sleeping, his strength didn''t grow linearly, but in leaps, coupled with a lack of reference, Zhu Haomiao didn''t have a clear understanding of his own battle power. But instinctively, he felt a normal Silver Level person with a chuunibyou syndrome shouldn''t be as powerful as that! You know, just now he had unleashed all his cards, except for [Sloth], which had little immediate combat boost, he had released all six great Original Sins, not only exhausting his current and future Strength but also consuming a precious [Greed Coin]! And even so, he barely won by a small margin! Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao looked at Wang Hua, speechless. "Senior Brother Wang, you promised to find someone evenly matched..." Hearing this, Wang Hua spread his hands in defeat. "Just say whether it was or wasn''t?" Zhu Haomiao: "......" Grinding his teeth, the young man looked towards Feng Zhaobai in grief and indignation, but before he could speak, the latter reassured with a smile. "Given that your opponent''s power far exceeded the usual energy level, this battle will be counted as Golden Level, granting you 500 contribution points." Instantly, Zhu Haomiao no longer felt sore in his waist, or pain in his legs, and straightened his back, solemnly patting his chest. "Actually, the reward doesn''t matter. I just want to make a small contribution to the country." "......" Feng Zhaobai twitched his lips, maintaining a polite yet somewhat awkward smile at the young man. As long as you''re happy. ....................... In an elegant Japanese-style courtyard somewhere in Shanghai, a middle-aged man wearing a Purple Gold Badge respectfully saluted the girl pacing towards him. "Great Sun Female Venerate." But when he raised his head and saw the mangled corpse in the arms of another girl, his pupils shrank to the size of needlepoints, emitting an out-of-control shriek. "Su Jianwu Venerate!!! He..." "Silence." The cold girl glanced at him, making the hegemony-level Transcender who stood at the pinnacle of First Layer Heaven break into a cold sweat, scurrying to grovel on the ground without daring to lift his head. The two girls ignored his panic and walked straight into the house, gently placing the mangled body on the tatami. "You''re always so reckless, brutal, crazy... I hope this death teaches you maturity, my foolish brother." Gently stroking the boy''s hair, the noble and elegant girl took a hook jade from around her neck and slowly placed it on the corpse''s chest. In the next second, the once dehydrated and coagulated blood began to liquefy, bit by bit pouring into the hollowed chest cavity as countless scarlet flesh buds writhed and grew, gradually condensing into a heart the size of a fist. After a long while, faint heartbeats sounded from within the healed chest cavity, and the previously closed eyes suddenly shot wide open! "Bastard! I will kill you!!!!!" ......................... Chapter 93 - 93: Give the money back to me, I dont want to play anymore! "Hmm ???" Sitting in the luxurious hotel suite, Zhu Haomiao looked suspiciously out the window, faintly hearing a familiar impotent rage. After a long time, Zhu Haomiao blinked, withdrew his gaze, and looked at the helpless butler beside him. "Sir, you''ve already eaten fifty people''s worth of food at noon. Are you sure you want to continue eating tonight?" Originally thought the young man would be away for a long time, but unexpectedly returned to the hotel the same evening, Yousef Benavides felt like he was looking at a shut-in junior, full of helplessness. "Yeah, I wasn''t full at noon, arrange it for me." Rubbing his weak stomach, Zhu Haomiao realized that his self-healing ability had consumed a large amount of food and spiritual energy, and nodded seriously. The battle this afternoon wasn''t as easy as it seemed; the straightforward all-out clash made his Silver Level physique endure Golden Level countershock damage, causing hidden injuries all over his body. Now, he felt like he''d been run over by a steamroller several times, with every muscle aching excruciatingly! To quickly repair the injuries and restore the exhausted spirit and body as soon as possible, he needed a lot of nutrition and energy. On the other side, seeing that the young man had made up his mind, Yousef Benavides reluctantly retreated, diligently arranging the meals for him. Dozens of minutes later, the glowing gourmet dishes from [Xinghua House] were brought to the table like flowing water. He ate until deep into the night, and only when his four-dimensional stomach was filled with vast amounts of nutrition did Zhu Haomiao let out a satisfied belch. [Gluttony] +10, [Dao Heart] +1 Rubbing his slightly protruded belly, Zhu Haomiao instructed the butler, who was fluttering with nerves in his eyelids. "I''m going to retreat for a while, don''t disturb me." "Yes." Long accustomed to the young man''s decadent lifestyle of eating and sleeping, Yousef Benavides nodded and, with the waitstaff, swiftly tidied up the mess in the restaurant before respectfully exiting the room. Once he locked the door to the suite, Zhu Haomiao finally had the time to properly tally his gains for the day. Raising his hand, a thick and mysterious ancient book instantly condensed in his outstretched fingers, automatically opening according to Zhu Haomiao''s will. On the page recording his main status, the young man saw an astonishing piece of information. [Gluttony] devouring Source Quality, [Body] +4 [Essence] +4 A cruel image of a phantom snake shadow dividing the enemy''s limbs flashed through his mind, and Zhu Haomiao pressed his lips together with a complex expression. At that time, he felt unprecedented satisfaction and a sense of fullness, more joyous even than the feast at [Xinghua House]. But... Consuming everything would only harm himself!! Biting his lips in frustration, Zhu Haomiao lowered his gaze to look at the following records. [greed] +1000, [Jealousy] +1000, [anger] +1000, [Pride] +1000 [greed]: LV.3¡úLV.5 (481/1000) [God] +7 [Dexterity] +3 [Qi] +3 [Jealousy]: LV.0¡úLV.4 (350/500) [Dexterity] +6 [Strength] +3 [God] +2 [anger]: LV.2¡úLV.5 (10/1000) [Strength] +8 S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Body] +4 [Essence] +4 [Pride]: LV.0¡úLV.4 (350/500) [Qi] +6 [Essence] +3 [God] +2 After reading the records in the [Book of Black], Zhu Haomiao fell into a long silence. He thought seriously and analyzed carefully before biting his teeth hard, with a sharp gleam in his eyes. Consuming everything would only make my nutrition balanced!! If there''s such a good opportunity again, I''ll seize every single one! Anyway, death in the Illusion Realm for descenders is just a "file deletion"... It''s not really eating people... Sorting through his thoughts, Zhu Haomiao''s whimsical thoughts abruptly shifted, and he instantly narrowed his eyes, looking at the [Book of Black] in his hand with a sharp gaze. Why are there only four Original Sins? Where are the remaining [Lust], [Gluttony], and [Sloth]? Could it be that you, you brat, took all the benefits the Imperial Army gave me as kickbacks?! Flipping through the [Book of Black], finding no abnormality, Zhu Haomiao blinked suspiciously and could only temporarily put this matter aside. Luckily, his gains were far more than that! Clenching his fist, Zhu Haomiao gently moved his fingers, and coins jingled down between his fingers, piling up into a small gold mountain on the table. Nearly a hundred [greed coins] spread before him, reflecting faint golden light in Zhu Haomiao''s pupils, his mouth uncontrollably curling into a crazed grin. A hefty windfall! Hit the jackpot! With a swing of his hand, the gold mountain on the table vanished like magic, Zhu Haomiao leaned tactically backward, lying on the sofa cushion, excited and puzzled as he squinted his eyes. Previously, he had also killed many "local natives," but none had ever brought him such a vast wealth. Those desires hidden deep within enemies'' souls must be extracted through special rituals... Is it because there is a difference between descenders and local natives? But this "nutrition" gap is just too vast, isn''t it? Could it be that the "chuuni" wasn''t lying, and he really has some mythical bloodline? Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao''s thoughts flickered, finally shaking his head slightly. Whatever... What''s most important now is to absorb and digest all the gains from this time. Focusing his mind on the [Dragon Emblem] on his chest, the silver Badge slightly resonated, emitting a mystical glow. Countless huge pieces of information flooded into his mind, and within a few short minutes, Zhu Haomiao mastered the cultivation techniques of several skills like old friends. [Big Toad Qi] Fourth Level, Fifth Level... [Hard Qi Skill] Fourth Level, Fifth Level... [Plum Blossom Step]... [Stacked Waves Strength]... [Gale Force]... ... A full 500 Contribution points allowed Zhu Haomiao to redeem all five previous skills to the Fifth Level at once, and additionally, he redeemed another Basic Force [Storage Explosion] to the Fourth Level! Yet even after such "extravagant" spending, he still had 20 Contribution points left in his account! Grateful heart~ With hands together, silently thankful for the love provision of the Japan General, Zhu Haomiao, eyes gleaming with excitement, held the [Book of Black] in one hand and suspended it over the book pages with the other. Ding ding ding~ The nimble gold coins fell from between his fingers like magic, accompanied by a pleasant metallic clatter as they fell into the pages, creating faint ripples visible to the naked eye on the page''s surface. But after investing 5 [greed coins], Zhu Haomiao''s expression slightly changed. [Big Toad Qi]: LV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) Without directly advancing to LV.4, in the constant influx of virtual memory into his mind, after years of water mill-like cultivation accumulation, he fell into a long and painful bottleneck period, unable to inch forward no matter how hard he cultivated! In disbelief, staring at the [Book of Black] in his hand, Zhu Haomiao gritted his teeth angrily. Where''s the promised one-click upgrade, painless cultivation?!! I''ve even used Krypton Gold, and yet you''re still holding me up?! How is this different from fraud? Give me back my money, I''m quitting! Having deeply experienced the world''s treachery, the young man slumped on the sofa, staring indignantly at the ceiling. Chapter 94 - 94: The Humans Most Loyal Partner However, the emotionless [Book of Black] showed no reaction at all. It was only after a long time that Zhu Haomiao perked up again, reluctantly "adding his position" like a cabbage trapped in a major stock drop. [Hard Qi Skill]: LV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Stacked Waves Strength]: LV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Plum Blossom Step]: LV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Gale Force]: LV.2¡úLV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Dexterity]+2 [God]+1 [Storage Explosion]: LV.0¡úLV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Qi]+3 [Body]+3 Nearly 40 [greed coins] had vanished like skipping stones, but the only good news was that the two new cultivation techniques had made some progress, bringing Zhu Haomiao a glimmer of comfort. Afterward, with a single thought, the information of the six-dimensional attributes unfurled before his eyes. [God]: 6.7¡ü£¨12£© [Dexterity]: 8.6¡ü£¨11£© [Strength]: 10¡ü£¨11£© [Essence]: 10¡ü£¨11£© [Qi]: 9.4¡ü£¨12£© [Body]: 10¡ü£¨11£© While admiring the vast attributes, enough to be digested for several months, a sense of boundless satisfaction rose within Zhu Haomiao''s heart. Then, he took a deep breath, intending to test the power of [Storage Explosion], but the next second, a knife-like sharp pain shot through his meridians, making his eyebrows twitch in agony. It seems that without ten days to half a month of rest, recovery is impossible... Oh right, I also leveraged [Greed] to borrow strength from the future. For a long time to come, I have to "repay the loan"! Forget it, forget it, stop thinking about these bothersome things... When faced with difficulties, take a good nap... Once I wake up, everything will be better! Stripping off his clothes and crawling into bed, Zhu Haomiao peacefully closed his eyes, emptied his mind, and quickly fell into a deep sleep. ........... Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Present World "Welcome back to the Sports Channel. Let''s continue to follow the events of the [U18 Ascension Competition]..." After taking a shower, Li Cang walked into the living room, drying his wet hair. He looked up to see Ye Wan Ning staring at the television without blinking. Taking a bottle of milk from the fridge, he sipped lightly, shaking his head helplessly as he watched his focused friend. "Finally, back in the present world for a holiday, yet you cling to the TV every day... Are you looking for your good brother again?" Hearing Li Cang''s emphasis on the last three words, Ye Wan Ning blushed and, in anger, retorted. "How can you slander someone''s innocence out of thin air?! I''m just keeping up with recent sports events!!" "Alright, alright, but as a friend, I still need to remind you that according to our country''s law, anyone under 14 is considered unable to consent, regardless of willingness..." "Ugh!! He is already 16!!" A tender shout interrupted Li Cang''s words. Seeing his friend''s blushing, nearly murderous eyes, Li Cang wisely shut his mouth. Realizing the foolishness of her own confession, Ye Wan Ning glared at him fiercely, baring her little canine teeth, then turned her gaze back to the television. At that moment, a familiar name came from the TV. "Now, let''s enjoy an exciting duel between the Chinese contender¡¤Zhu Haomiao and the Japanese contender¡¤Susano-o." Both of their eyes lit up simultaneously, and Li Cang quickly sat upright, fixating on the TV with Ye Wan Ning. Although he teased his friend, he was quite curious about that peculiar little bro. However, as the competition proceeded, their eyes grew wider. "Oil..." "Huh?" "The Ascension Competition just started less than a month ago, right?" "Yes." "..." Watching the two contenders on TV manifest their dharma forms, fiercely battling, even through the screen, the oppressive aura was palpable. Li Cang couldn''t help but fall into deep silence and resist the urge to curse. This is supposed to be a First Layer Heaven Silver Level?! Even for a [Mythical Species] bloodline, that''s outrageous! What''s even more outrageous is that someone can actually stand equal in battle with him?! While Li Cang questioned life, Ye Wan Ning clenched her fists, nervously fixated on the TV screen. Only when the two on the ring settled the winner did she secretly breathe a sigh of relief, her lips curling into a smug smile. "Whew~ As expected of Shui, truly impressive." At this, Li Cang shot her a helpless glance. "And you said you weren''t looking for your good brother..." A pink cloud promptly rose on Ye Wan Ning''s cheek, and she shamefully glared at her friend, grinding her teeth fiercely. "Rude martial artist! What do you know? I''m just observing the experimental little white mouse!!" "But your little white mouse has even kissed your lips swollen." "..." Seeing the dangerous glint in Ye Wan Ning''s eyes, Li Cang''s heart tensed. He quietly shifted his position, putting some distance between them. "Didn''t we agree that gentlemen use their hands, not their mouths? If you bite me again, I won''t be polite to you!" In response, Ye Wan Ning let out a menacing growl akin to a vicious dog from her throat. "Errrrrr..." Just as tension mounted perilously, a special notification sound rang, swiftly redirecting Ye Wan Ning''s attention. Upon checking her phone, Ye Wan Ning''s "vicious dog snarl" expression vanished instantly, replaced by a sweet smile she wasn''t even aware of. Watching her beautiful and sweet expression, Li Cang was not pleased, muttering in a voice as thin as a mosquito''s buzz. "Whoever gets a partner first is a dog..." "What did you say?" "I said, you are humanity''s most loyal companion." "???" "Wait, I feel like you''re mocking me ironically!" Blinking her eyes, Ye Wan Ning fixed Li Cang with a sharp gaze. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao, who had just returned to his dorm room, pushed Diao Chan off his face. The creature had been licking him like a face-hugging alien, and Zhu Haomiao, looking serious, stared at its eyes. "Dao Fan Tiangang! I keep you to play and relieve my stress, not for you to play with me and relieve yours!" "Besides, all you do at home is eat and sleep. What stress do you have?!" Diao Chan, with its big, adorable eyes, tilted its head in confusion, staring at its owner. "Squeak?" "From now on, when I come back, let me pet you first, then you can lick me... Recognize your status in this family..." Hugging Diao Chan close for a good snuggle, Zhu Haomiao was about to impart some precious life advice when his phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller ID, Zhu Haomiao''s lips involuntarily curved upwards. "Hey, Senior Sister, have you come back too?" "Yes, Shui, congratulations on defeating a strong enemy in the Ascension Competition." "Huh? How did you know?" "The sports channel has already broadcasted it." "So fast?!" ...... The two chatted casually back and forth. After a while, Ye Wan Ning finally brought up her true purpose. "Do you have time now? Cangcang said he wants to see Diao Chan." "Huh? I didn''t, I never... Wuu wuu wuu..." Hearing Li Cang''s faint sob through the handset, Zhu Haomiao blinked and decisively nodded. Li Cang seems to follow the Chinese Martial Arts System; he should have some understanding of the cultivation bottleneck... Chapter 95 - 95: I Cant Tell Apart! "Got some free time, and I have some things I want to consult you about. Is it still that meditation room from before?" "Uh... that meditation room has already been booked. Just bring Diao Chan over to me directly. The address is XXXXX." "Okay, I''ll be right over." After hanging up, Zhu Haomiao input the address into his phone and discovered it was at a super luxury residential area not far from the school, filled with standalone villas. "......" Three thousand was definitely too little!! Damn, I really took a loss!! sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Clutching his faintly aching heart, Zhu Haomiao took a long time to regain his composure, and then he grabbed Diao Chan and stepped out the door. About ten minutes later, Zhu Haomiao arrived at the entrance of the community on a shared bike, where a dignified middle-aged woman greeted him from afar. "Excuse me, are you Mr. Zhu Haomiao?" "Uh, yes, and you are?" "I''m the housekeeper of the community, here to receive you." "Oh, then thank you." Following the housekeeper into the community, observing the beautiful surroundings and the expanse of each villa, Zhu Haomiao grew increasingly irritated. No, I must ask Senior Sister for a raise! Three thousand is really too low for someone of her wealthy status! Soon, Zhu Haomiao saw a perfectly matched couple standing by the road, one of them waving excitedly at him from a distance. "Shui, over here." From afar, Ye Wan Ning in her casual homewear shed some of her mature allure and exuded a youthful charm, the inadvertent tender allure in her crescent-moon eyes making Zhu Haomiao''s heart thump wildly. Even though he had encountered various beauties in the Illusion Realm, under Senior Sister Ye''s every smile, they all instantly paled. In a daze, Zhu Haomiao seemed to understand the ancient king who would light beacons to make the lords smile. Who could withstand this?! No! I can''t become the toy of a fox spirit! Amitabha Buddha~ I''m wholeheartedly devoted to Teacher Su E! "Where is Diao Chan?" Not noticing Zhu Haomiao''s subtle emotions, Ye Wan Ning moved closer, looking him up and down. "Squeak?" Upon seemingly hearing its name called, a snow-white little head poked out from Zhu Haomiao''s collar, scanning the surroundings stealthily. "Wow, Diao Chan, did you miss your big sister?" Without waiting for a reply, Ye Wan Ning snatched the little creature into her arms, inviting Zhu Haomiao inside. "Squeak squeak squeak~~" Watching Diao Chan squirm and wriggle on that ample chest, Zhu Haomiao bit his teeth in envy. Damn it! Let go of that little sable! If you have any business, come to me! However, the absurd mood didn''t last a second before Zhu Haomiao''s heart trembled again, seeing Li Cang, arms crossed, leaning against a wall, slightly lifting his chin, and glaring at him with a displeased look. At that moment, Zhu Haomiao finally understood why Ye Wan Ning described him as 1.88m tall with legs 2 meters long. Just in short sports shorts, his pair of long, straight, snow-white jade legs were exposed without reservation, as exquisite as artworks. Paired with his cartoonish leg-to-body ratio, it really gave the exaggerated illusion of being all legs from the neck down. Unable to resist being captivated by those beautiful legs, Zhu Haomiao involuntarily imagined him in a short skirt and high heels strutting down a runway, each step stepping on a man''s heart. I could admire these legs for a lifetime! Excitement and desire surged uncontrollably, but the next moment, realizing he was "evaluating" a man''s legs, Zhu Haomiao''s expression dramatically changed, even feeling a wave of nausea. Being a toy of a fox spirit is one thing, but why am I interested in a man''s legs?! Teacher Su E, save me!! Crying silently inside, Zhu Haomiao, however, couldn''t tear his gaze from Li Cang''s legs. Damn it! Why do these legs look so alluring? Wait! Why is his skin so white and smooth, not a pore or a single leg hair in sight?! Isn''t this guy disguised as a man? A hint of doubt flashed through his eyes, and Zhu Haomiao once more questioned his gender, unable to help but scrutinize him up and down. No Adam''s apple, no beard, no leg hair... But... No chest either! Looking at Li Cang''s flat, almost slender chest, Zhu Haomiao fell into deep confusion. Dude, you''re really making this difficult for me... Are you really an Innate Transgender Saint Body or a flat-chested big sister? Previously, I just thought TV plots with women disguising as men were too fake, but now Zhu Haomiao just wanted to COS some lunatic and scream in despair. Mom! I can''t tell!! I really can''t tell at all!! Darn it! Can I just pull down the pants to see the truth? So I can give up once and for all! Of course, such sexually inappropriate thoughts couldn''t even escape Zhu Haomiao''s thick skin, so all his resentment was directed at the Lust page of the Book of Black. It''s all your fault! My heart is becoming less and less pure!! If, in the future, I''m harmed by a man-woman, you''ll be responsible! As Zhu Haomiao''s thoughts ran wild, the three humans and one pet slowly entered the villa''s foyer, where Ye Wan Ning skillfully retrieved a pair of brand-new slippers. "Prepared just for you." "Oh, thanks, Senior Sister." Temporarily pulling himself out of his entanglement, Zhu Haomiao forced himself not to look at Li Cang''s long legs, focusing his gaze on Ye Wan Ning''s face. Instantly, those crystal-clear lips dominated his view, and in his mind emerged the sensation and taste of jellied softness and sweetness. Zhu Haomiao stared blankly at Ye Wan Ning, watching her enticing pink lips open and close, hearing her voice, but not a word entered his mind. He had no intention of speaking, just a desire to kiss... "Shui! Shui!" It wasn''t until Ye Wan Ning patted him twice that Zhu Haomiao was startled out of his trance. "What are you thinking about?" "Thinking of kissing... uh, nothing." Eyeing the young man strangely, Ye Wan Ning hugged the squirming Diao Chan and headed straight inside. Behind her, Zhu Haomiao looked helplessly at his LV.2 Dao Heart. Clearly, in the Illusion Realm, I was as steady as a rock, surrounded by beauties, yet able to maintain a clear Spirit Platform; they even praised me for quitting opium! But back in reality, just a smile from Senior Sister can make me lose my mind, and even Li Cang''s long legs can bind me for twenty seconds! Why? Why does the cold-blooded killer with no emotions in the Illusion Realm become a fox spirit''s toy in reality? Is supernatural charm so unreasonable? Or has Original Sin influenced my mind? Could I genuinely be falling for it? Clearly, I''m infatuated with Teacher Su E!! Shaking his head to dispel his distractions, Zhu Haomiao followed Ye Wan Ning into the living room, his expression complicated. Ahead lay a spacious, modern space, decorated with warmth and naturalness, giving off a homely feel. Connected to the living room was a refined open kitchen, where a small dining table was already filled with a variety of delicacies. Chapter 96 - 96: Cognition as Anchor "I heard you just returned to the present world and haven''t eaten yet, so let''s eat together." Ye Wan Ning took a few grapes from the fruit plate and put them into Diao Chan''s hand. The little guy, who was struggling incessantly, immediately calmed down and gnawed on the grapes with a grin. The three of them sat down, and only then did Zhu Haomiao notice that Li Cang had been raising his chin and glaring at him, and frowned strangely. What did I do to offend him again? Could it be that I was staring at legs too obviously, and he noticed it? Meanwhile, carefully scrutinizing Zhu Haomiao''s slightly frowning, exquisite facial features, Ye Wan Ning secretly leaned over to Li Cang''s ear and asked. "Cangcang, do you think Shui got more handsome?" Li Cang looked her up and down with a blank expression. "You''re truly hungry." "....." Lightly punching her friend, Ye Wan Ning put this small matter aside and invited Zhu Haomiao to eat. However, in less than half an hour, the two of them had already put down their chopsticks, looking at Zhu Haomiao performing solo with envy. "Darn it! Innate Food Bucket Saint Body, so envious!" Hearing Ye Wan Ning talking to herself, Zhu Haomiao''s forehead instantly filled with black lines. You with your Innate Kissing Saint Body dare to criticize me?! Grinding his teeth, Zhu Haomiao suppressed his urge to retort and brought up the main topic. "Senior Sister, there are some things I''d like to consult you about." Upon hearing this, Ye Wan Ning, who was poking Diao Chan''s butt, turned around, sat up straight, and nodded eagerly with a serious face. "Feel free to ask. As an elder, it''s necessary for me to impart some life experience to you..." "....." Though I''m not sure why, I somehow feel that your words are a bit dangerous. Zhu Haomiao smacked his lips, suppressing the strange emotions in his heart, and began speaking earnestly. "The first question is about the Casting Divine Power. I''ve already advanced to the Silver Level in the Illusion Realm, and besides the first Healing Language, I can cast two more divine skills. But I saw on the forums that it says not to rush and it''s best to decide at the Middle Heavenly Position or even High Sky Rank." Upon hearing this, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang exchanged a glance after scanning the silver white Dragon Emblem on the young man''s chest, exchanging looks for a few seconds before Li Cang opened his mouth to answer. "You and I both follow the Martial Arts system, and divine skills are indeed a very important supplement for us, allowing us to have some unique authority from other systems and fill in our shortcomings." "But the divine skills from the Yanhuang Armory can only be said to be practical and far from powerful." "If you can get some special and powerful divine skills at the Middle Heavenly Position or High Sky Rank, you can integrate them into the bloodline blended with Illusion Gold through the Divine Soul. This is actually the correct way to unlock the Dragon Emblem divine skills." "Of course, what I''m saying only applies to geniuses." "For ordinary people, they may never reach the Middle Heavenly Position in their entire lives, let alone the High Sky Rank, so it''s naturally better to realize divine skills as early as possible..." "But there are only five divine skill slots for the Dragon Emblem, so if you don''t have a heavy survival pressure right now, I''d recommend you prefer quality over quantity." At this point, Li Cang changed the subject. "By the way, do you have any urgent divine skills you want right now?" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao nodded heavily. "Sumeru Mustard Seed Divine Ability, it can open a portable storage space and make traveling much more convenient." Hearing this, Ye Wan Ning couldn''t help but advise against it. "If you can get a storage-type True Object in the future, then this divine skill slot would be wasted." Li Cang: "That''s right. Although True Objects with storage space are precious, they are not unattainable for you, so there''s no need to waste a divine skill slot." Hearing their advice, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. "I understand, and there''s one more thing. When I left the Illusion Realm, my projected body disappeared. Is there a way to let it continue to grow naturally in the Illusion Realm?" After all, if I can use the time returning to the present world for rest, my growth speed will at least double! S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. To his surprise, Zhu Haomiao asked such a profound question at the First Layer Heaven, causing Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang to look at each other. They took a while to organize the words for a response. Ye Wan Ning: "In theory, it''s possible, but..." Hearing the first half of the sentence, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up, but then he realized he was happy too soon. "But this is generally a topic considered in the late Middle Heavenly Position, or even High Sky Rank." "Because it requires a very high position and a certain divinity as a foundation." "The method is to spread your ''name'', using the cognition of intelligent beings as an anchor to stabilize your projection." "The most common form is to establish a religion, using the worship of broad believers to anchor oneself." "Additionally, there is also an elite route of cultivating absolute fanatic Saints, using their strong beliefs as an anchor." "Of course, these two are not mutually exclusive, so most ''Gods'' pursue both routes..." At this point, Ye Wan Ning paused, changing the subject. "However, leaving the projection is actually a very dangerous move. A body without a soul is just an empty shell. If the enemy takes advantage of the moment when your soul returns to the present world to launch a sneak attack... the result is predictable." "Even if your position is strong enough to receive Saints'' prayers in reality, due to the different flow of time on both sides, the reaction time left for you would be quite short." "And since the enemy is meticulously plotting a sneak attack, it''s naturally a decisive strike of success or death, leaving no time for you to react." "Therefore, every year, legendary and even mythical Transcendents suffer heavy losses, and some even fall because of this." Listening to Ye Wan Ning''s gentle murmur, Zhu Haomiao pondered for several seconds, unwillingly biting his lip. "I understand, and there''s one last question. When cultivation techniques reach a bottleneck, how can you break through quickly?" Upon hearing this, Ye Wan Ning gave Li Cang a look, signaling him to answer. Li Cang helplessly pursed his lips, holding up two fingers: "It''s simple, there are two methods." "First, when the strength is great, the brick flies. As long as the pressure is big enough, there''s no bottleneck that can''t be broken." "In the space between life and death, there is great fear. As long as you are infinitely close to death, leave the rest to the will to survive." Zhu Haomiao: "....." How straightforward yet crippling the secret is... "What about the other method?" "Second, following the path of nature. This depends on insight and opportunity. Through traveling and gaining insights from nature, and cross-verifying the revelations encountered during daily training, capture inspiration to break through the bottleneck." Speaking of which, Li Cang suddenly remembered something and added. "Right, there''s a non-method method¡ªclosing yourself off and tackling the problem head-on!" "In any case, either the bottleneck or you must die!" "In summary, the first method suits ordinary people, the second method suits talented individuals with high insight, and the third method... well... is suitable for desperate situations." Zhu Haomiao: "....." Chapter 97 - 97: Insect Pupae Zhu Haomiao: "..." I''ll go with the second option. It sounds less crippling... "So how do I go about implementing the second kind of insight? For example, I''ve hit a bottleneck with my [Stacked Waves Strength]. What natural phenomenon should I observe to gain inspiration?" Upon hearing this, Li Cang gave Zhu Haomiao a strange look. "Do you really need to ask? Stacked waves, stacked waves, go look at the sea!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." That makes so much sense. Why didn''t I think of that?! "If there''s no sea, a big lake''s waves will do." "If that''s not possible, you can fill a basin with bathwater and play with the water in it." "I had my breakthrough while taking a bath back in the day." Zhu Haomiao: "..." Breaking through in the bath, what an obscure term... "Actually, when you hit a bottleneck, it means your hardware accumulation is sufficient, and you''re just lacking a tiny bit of inspiration." "As long as you have a certain level of understanding and a pair of observant eyes, you can easily capture the inspiration key to open the big door by seeing the big picture from the details." "Just like the apple that fell on Newton''s head back then." Listening to Li Cang''s leisurely words, Zhu Haomiao suddenly felt a surge of eagerness. I''m so strong right now; quickly, bring me a tub of bathwater! ............ Twenty days later, in the Illusion Realm Looking at his skin, swollen and blanched from soaking, Zhu Haomiao seriously thought and analyzed, lying in the bathtub, deep in thought. Where''s the promised enlightenment from bathing? What exactly went wrong? Could it be that I''m not bathing in the right position? Instinctively stirring the bathwater, watching the layers of ripples, Zhu Haomiao gained no insight into the world''s great truths, only feeling like an immature kid. After a long period of self-examination, ruling out all possible factors, Zhu Haomiao despairingly realized... Am I the idiot after all?! It''s bad enough my destiny is lacking, but even my insight is poor? Could it be that I''m truly a small fry? No, I shouldn''t belittle myself. The best object for observing [Stacked Waves Strength] should be the turbulent sea! Breaking through with bathwater is simply unreliable! Exactly! It''s not me; it''s Li Cang''s teaching that''s at fault! Instantly assigning blame, Zhu Haomiao gathered his spirits, dressed up, and headed straight for the seaside. After spending an afternoon in the sea breeze at the docks of Shanghai, he fell silent once again. Is Li Cang trying to fool me? Why don''t I feel anything after watching for so long? It wasn''t until the sunset hit the horizon that the dazed-looking young man snapped back to reality, his unfocused pupils slightly sharpening as a flash of insight suddenly struck his mind. No way! With my god-given talent, why should I be confined by the "wisdom of mortals"? Li Cang is just a loud-mouthed oaf. What does he know about breakthroughs! [Book of Black]! Add points for me! Raising his hand for a virtual grasp, the dark and heavy book instantaneously manifested in the young man''s hand. Responding to Zhu Haomiao''s will, the [Book of Black] stirred without wind, opening to a special page. [Sloth]! His gaze shifted slightly, and a mysterious sensation flowed into his heart, and Zhu Haomiao seemed to understand something, his eyes widening in surprise and delight. Well, isn''t this something! I just mentioned it casually, and there''s actually a way? Since you''re so sensible, I won''t hold a grudge about you taking kickbacks from the Imperial Army! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Gazing in delight at the [Book of Black], Zhu Haomiao followed the mysterious sensation, activating the [Sloth] authority. The next second, responding to the young man''s wish, unobservable gray-white threads started to condense and emerge from the void, gradually wrapping around Zhu Haomiao in his astonished gaze, forming a giant insect cocoon. At the same time, a cultivation technique recorded in the [Book of Black] shone with golden light, emitting a weak seven-colored divine light that fused into the cocoon. The next second, the cocoon room completed its formation, slowly solidifying from the conceptually soft and fragile material into an evil insect pupa with a metallic texture. Soon after, the insect pupa contracted, sticking to Zhu Haomiao''s skin before phasing out and disappearing. Right after, the young man felt a large portion of his power "melt" and blend with the faint seven-colored divine light, settling deep into his spirit and body. Clenching his fist, Zhu Haomiao felt a strong sense of weakness; his six-dimensional attributes were significantly reduced and "disappeared" along with the insect pupa. Wrong! They''re not gone; it''s like a cocooning caterpillar, shrinking and hiding deep in the spirit and body, undergoing some kind of mysterious metamorphosis on a conceptual level! It took a long time to adapt to the sudden weakness. Zhu Haomiao carefully observed himself and found himself in a peculiar state. Though not the one-click breakthrough he imagined, which requires time for transformation, his speed of integrating attributes has greatly increased, seemingly similar to when in deep sleep. This means he may no longer need to undergo prolonged sleep. Additionally, the cocoon''s wrapping seems to have diminished his presence from the aspect of divinity; if he deliberately hides, a transcendent with poor perception would find it hard to discover him! However... this state isn''t without its side effects... Clenching his fist, Zhu Haomiao felt an expected weakness and powerlessness, along with a soul-deep exhaustion. So tired... I want to sleep... Yawning, Zhu Haomiao shook his head to clear his mind, but the vague fatigue persisted, making him drowsy. Knowing it''s the side effect of the [Sloth] authority, Zhu Haomiao forced himself to be alert, put on a hood, and completely melted into the darkness, disappearing amidst the roaring sea wind at the docks. Dozens of minutes later, a ghost-like shadow arrived at the villa district of the Public Leased Territory. Looking at the patrolling guards and the impeccably secure manor nearby, the lazy eyes under the hood''s shadow slowly dimmed, like lifeless stones, hiding all luster. Simultaneously, a mystic law authority enveloped his body like an invisible veil, cloaking his presence and merging his ordinary figure completely with the environment. The originally airtight defenses turned full of holes in an instant. Zhu Haomiao vaguely felt that all guards'' detection range had been significantly shortened. Unless he got too close, even ordinary transcendent beings would find it hard to discover him! With a sense of clarity, Zhu Haomiao attempted to sneak into the manor, cautiously avoiding patrol guards, successfully entering the main building. Meanwhile, in a secret room of the main building, Wilson was staring grimly at a pile of photos on the table, his eyes flickering with a fierce glint. The next second, a peripheral shadow off to the side noticed an abrupt presence several meters away. Wilson felt a chill run from his tailbone to the top of his skull, every hair standing on end like a spooked cat with fur bristled and whiskers flared. "Who!!!" Chapter 98 - 98: Chant [My Name] Instinctively pulling out the revolver he always carried, Wilson stared intently at the figure hidden beneath the black cloak, while his other hand subtly reached for a red button under the edge of the table. However, as the visitor lowered his hood, a flood of kinship surged through his soul, instantly soothing his terrified heart, and gradually relaxing Wilson. "My lord." Taking a deep breath, Wilson put away his revolver, stood up, and bowed, his eyes devoutly fixed on the smiling boy not far away. "You did well last time." Hearing the boy''s praise, Wilson''s heart surged with endless ecstasy and gratitude, half-kneeling on the ground, overwhelmed by favor. "Glory be to my lord." With a faint, knowing smile, Zhu Haomiao casually flicked his fingers, and with a light metallic hum, two shining gold coins spun rapidly, drawing a parabola in mid-air, landing precisely in Wilson''s palm. Wide-eyed with disbelief, dark light twisted in Wilson''s eyes as the greed coins in his palm gradually melted into an oily, viscous liquid. It seeped bit by bit into his skin, flowing through his bloodstream, integrating into every cell, every strand of his divine soul. Watching the other''s veins swell and wriggle like little snakes, and the agonized yet ecstatic expression on his face, Zhu Haomiao could sense that the other was gradually losing himself, that mysterious, eerie darkness had already engulfed most of his soul. And as the corruption deepened, he could now even sense what the other was thinking. His thoughts were transparent in one direction, but the other had no awareness of this change, still feeling grateful and devoted to him, like a fanatical believer. Sigh... He was clearly a sunny, cheerful young man, so why did his methods feel increasingly sinister? He sighed quietly in his heart, standing still, Zhu Haomiao patiently waited for Wilson to digest the greed coins. After a long while, the anomalies around Wilson gradually dissipated, and his twisted, contorted expression slowly eased, returning to that of a graceful, noble gentleman. "Now, I assign you a new mission." Half-kneeling on the ground, Wilson looked up at Zhu Haomiao, expression devout, eyes resolute yet frenzied, quietly awaiting his command. "Make the entire Shanghai underground world chant my name, these... are your ''start-up funds''." With hands spread wide above his head, Wilson held the dozen or so greed coins Zhu Haomiao had given him in his palms, nodding firmly. "Yes, my lord!" Zhu Haomiao nodded, put on his hood, took two steps back, and vanished into the dark shadows like a specter, leaving only a faint whisper. "Remember, my name is... Primordial Sin." ............ "Primordial sin is in the hearts of each of us, only by cleansing our sins with the blood of sinners can we attain redemption!" In a spacious secret room, a group of people watched Wilson on the stage, spouting rhetoric in fervent excitement, their expressions indescribably puzzled as they exchanged glances. Among them were men and women, half were blonde and blue-eyed foreigners, the other half wore the traditional queue hairstyle of Qing people. But without exception, they were all prominent figures in the ten miles of foreign market on the surface, and secretly controlled many unspeakable powers. Smuggling, opium trafficking, coercing women into prostitution, running casinos, kidnapping, and murder... They wouldn''t engage in any money-losing deals, but the shadows of all gray and black industries lurked in their actions. Originally, these people thought Wilson had painstakingly gathered them for some big deal, arriving eagerly in response to his invitation... Only to find it was for preaching? And about some unheard-of third-rate cult?! If not considering the favors and benefits Wilson had extended, some would have stormed off long ago. But even sitting there with patience, they had no interest in listening to Wilson''s preaching from the stage, whispering amongst themselves. "Did this guy take the wrong medicine?" "Don''t know, probably brainwashed by some religion." "Wasn''t he said to be a formidable character? Just in under a year, he expanded his influence tenfold!" "Being formidable and being a religious fanatic aren''t mutually exclusive." "That''s also true..." Seeing the attendees showing no sign of reverence, Wilson frowned in dissatisfaction, clapped his hands to attract everyone''s attention. "I know you don''t believe what I''m saying, after all, sinners are ignorant... but..." His words drew a frown from the audience below, but in the next second, when Wilson opened an exquisite small luxurious treasure box, a mesmerizing golden light spilled out, projecting a twisted soul''s golden evil shine on everyone''s retinas. With pupils widening slowly, vision losing focus, all eyes fixed on those small gold coins, an uncontrollable frenzy of greed surged in their hearts. Mine! All mine! They''re all mine! Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Pa~ Wilson closed the treasure box, blocking their sight, also curtailing their near-uncontrollable greed. Soon after, their empty, unfocused pupils sharply refocused, leaving a void in everyone''s hearts, as if missing a piece. As if they had lost the most important thing in life, they instinctively slapped the table, glaring at Wilson on the podium with hatred, as if he were the mortal enemy who took away their beloved. Bathed in their hostility, Wilson fearlessly gazed back, the dark, deep, twisting black light writhing in his pupils, bestowing a terrifying, soul-piercing pressure upon everyone. "Primordial sin is merciful, it grants us release, grants us redemption, grants us everything we desire!" Gently raising the treasure box in his hand, under their fiery, greedy gazes, Wilson seemed to hold supreme authority aloft, akin to a sacred and majestic priest. "Now... who wishes to receive my lord''s redemption?" The people below froze, the remaining reason told them the path ahead was a dangerous abyss, stepping in might mean eternal damnation. But instinctive greed, like an addiction, drove them, urging them to seize that gold coin at all costs! "I... I am willing." After a brief internal struggle, a man stood, breath heavy, shaking as he stepped onto the stage, myriad emotions battling in his eyes, but ultimately greed took dominance. Seeing this, Wilson nodded in satisfaction, his voice deep and authoritative as he commanded loudly. "Kneel!" Thud! The man''s legs went weak, crashing to his knees, looking at Wilson with ecstatic joy as he placed a gold coin in his palm. Clutching the coin tightly in his hand, the man, like an addict in withdrawal, inhaled its scent greedily, displaying an intensely twisted expression. And with the example set by the first, the remaining others could no longer suppress the greed within them, rushing forward in a mad scramble. Chapter 99 - 99: If Not at the Dining Table, Then on the Menu "I! I! I am willing!" "I am willing too!" "Me first! Let me go first!" ...... Looking at these "great figures" who seemed like starving ghosts throwing themselves at his feet, begging him to grant them gold coins, Wilson''s eyes revealed a trace of a disdainfully pleasant smile. He handed the gold coins one by one into their hands, ignoring the grotesque "great figures" kneeling beside him, and looked at the trembling figure left on the stage. The person had his head lowered, clutching a cross in his hand, chanting under his breath. "Mr. Liran Campbell, do you not wish to receive the salvation of my Lord?" Upon hearing Wilson''s evil whisper, Liran Campbell shuddered, bit his tongue hard, and the faint Holy Light in his eyes temporarily suppressed the greedy desire, granting him a brief moment of clarity. "No! I have already converted to the Heavenly Father!" With a roar like a beast, Liran Campbell turned his head and ran, his stumbling steps as if a demon were pursuing him from behind. Watching his figure disappear outside the door, Wilson gazed at the group of "companions" at his feet whose eyes gleamed with twisted black light and raised an elegantly wicked smile. "Lesson one upon entry to the faith, I am to teach you." "As a person shackled with heavy sins, if you are not seated at the table, you will appear on the menu." Instinctively, everyone looked in the direction Liran Campbell ran, instantly understanding something. A thick greedy hunger surged in their hearts, their lips curled into a slight smile, and their eyes emitted a ghostly light, like a pack of cruel, bloodthirsty starving wolves. ............... "Young master, please, have mercy..." Looking at the top girl snuggling in his arms like a kitten and whimpering, Zhu Haomiao raised an elusive smile, patting her butt affectionately as if scolding a kitten. "No lustful behavior, Se Se~" "Mmm~" Accompanied by a whimper of pain mixed with pleasure, the girl trembled all over, biting her pink lips tightly, staring at Zhu Haomiao with a resentful gaze. Several minutes passed until the girl in his arms went limp like a rag doll, her eyes filled with unshed tears silently accusing him. Did you come to the brothel not to revel in lust but to eat? Yet the young man ignored her grievances, simply stroking her slender body while enjoying exquisite delicacies fed by another girl. [Gluttony] +10, [Dao Heart] +1 [Lust] +10, [Dao Heart] +1 After finishing a left-and-right embrace and a sumptuous feast adorned with charm, Zhu Haomiao gazed at the two top girls who looked like mistresses lamenting their fate, smiling as he ruffled their hair. "Just eating, and you managed to get yourselves all worked up... Go wash up, don''t catch a cold." Hearing his affectionate concern, a hint of warmth surged in the hearts of the two girls, but more so, they couldn''t suppress the sense of grievance. They knew, this exceedingly handsome and otherworldly noble young man either disdained their faded bodies or held a strong, unique persistence. But if you aren''t going to play with us, don''t tease! Even if we have to pay him! Why don''t you just come at me directly!! What does it mean to tease and run every time? Serving this Mr. Zhu has become the most feared and anticipated thing among all the top girls. The process is painful yet joyful, and afterward, they feel even more resentment than ghosts! Noticing the flesh-eating glances from the two girls, Zhu Haomiao mischievously pinched their cheeks, leaving gracefully to their disgruntled scolds. As he walked out of the brothel, the young man stretched lazily, exhaling a long breath as his playful, languid gaze gradually turned clear and introspective. From these girls, Zhu Haomiao faintly saw a reflection of himself. They couldn''t resist his supernatural allure, just as he couldn''t resist Senior Sister Ye''s allure in reality! The only difference is, they could only cry and beg him in lust... Whilst he, if overwhelmed by lust... Thinking of his "bold ideas" in uncontrollable states of [Lust], Zhu Haomiao shuddered, shaking his head vigorously. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. One cannot, at least should not... Taking a deep breath, Zhu Haomiao suppressed the tumult in his heart, more determined than ever to hone his [Dao Heart]. If [Dao Heart] upgraded to LV.3, his resistance in reality would increase significantly! Hopefully, Li Cang''s thighs could not control him then? Before confirming his gender, he must not let his guard down! Thinking this, Zhu Haomiao looked at the information in the [Book of Black]. Dao Heart: LV.2 (67/200) As expected, there''s merit in the novels'' Red Dust Heart Refining... especially in the brothels... With [Gluttony] working alongside [Lust], on a good day, [Dao Heart] could increase by one point, sometimes even two! Taking into account the time flow discrepancy between reality and the Illusion Realm, the efficiency is at least multiplied several times! The only pity is, previously, he spent most of his time in deep sleep, rendering "Red Dust Heart Refining" too brief a period. But with the Pupa Transformation Authority from [Sloth], he''s suddenly gained ample time... Just as he thought, Zhu Haomiao suddenly sensed something, his lazy steps coming to a sudden halt as he looked down in surprise. In just a dozen days, had his transformation already been completed? His gaze penetrated through flesh, faintly witnessing a hint of golden light breaking the cocoon! [Stacked Waves Strength]: LV.3¡úLV.4 (Small Success) [Strength] +3 [Body] +2 Together with the golden light breaking the cocoon, a vast energy hid deep within his spirit and body. Clenching his fists, feeling the surging power within, the faint fatigue enveloping his Divine Soul was swept away, replaced by limitless, abundant energy! Simultaneously, a mystical perception flowed into his heart, and his [Stacked Waves Strength] had reached a more profound realm, with a faint hint of qualitative transformation. Whoosh whoosh~ Waving his fists, producing a crisp whooshing sound, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but nod secretly. After nearly three Virtual Moons of lurking, he had cleared the "loans" previously overdrawn by [Greed], and after digesting some six-dimensional attributes, he reached a new peak state! Should he continue with cocooning and pupation to break through his bottleneck, or seize this opportunity for a "snack"? Thinking of his remaining 20 contribution points and the values needed for the sixth layer technique, Zhu Haomiao subconsciously looked at his six-dimensional attributes. [God]: 10 (8) ¡ü [Dexterity]: 12 (7) ¡ü [Strength]: 14 (10) ¡ü [Essence]: 14 (7) ¡ü [Qi]: 13 (8) ¡ü [Body]: 14 (9) ¡ü This attribute, even within the First Layer Heaven Silver Level, is considered average, right? Perhaps he could attempt, without relying on the [Book of Black]''s Authority, to fight purely with the strength he had painstakingly trained! Chapter 100 - 100: Establishing Power in a Single War Maybe under the pressure of the strong enemy, the remaining cultivation techniques will all break through at once? With beautiful expectations in mind, Zhu Haomiao once again spent gold on the breakthrough bottleneck of [Stacked Waves Strength]. After investing 10 [greed coins] at once, it unsurprisingly got stuck again. [Stacked Waves Strength]: LV.4 (Small Success¡¤Bottleneck) Years of virtual memory flooded into his mind like a stream, progressing rapidly at first, then like constipation later, and finally completely stuck without any progress. "Tsk..." Rubbing his temples, Zhu Haomiao pulled himself out of the suffocating pain of virtual memory and slowly exhaled a foul breath. The bottleneck of the third layer only took a dozen days. The fourth layer''s bottleneck shouldn''t take long either... there''s no hurry... On the contrary, the resources for cultivation were not enough. Whether it''s contributions or [greed coins], the consumption in later stages is huge, requiring anticipation. With a plan in mind, Zhu Haomiao turned his steps toward the direction of the [Yanhuang Armory]. .................. "Kill kill kill~~~" "Beat him to death!!" "Hit! Attack his lower path!" The vast underground martial arts arena was lively day and night, as if it was always so bustling. Amid the noisy and sharp howls around, Zhu Haomiao found the busy Wang Hua. "Senior Brother Wang." "Huh?! Junior Brother Zhu! What brings you here?" "I was feeling a bit stifled after a long seclusion, so I came out to relax." "Phew... you scared me. I thought you finished practicing all the cultivation techniques you exchanged last time, broke through to the Golden Level, and came to stir things up again!" "......" So that''s how you see me? Zhu Haomiao''s eyelids twitched uncontrollably before he generously moved past the matter. "So, you want to play a match, right?" Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s intention, Wang Hua chuckled and asked. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is that possible? According to the rules, don''t I have to register a few days in advance?" Looking at the boy''s expectant eyes, Wang Hua waved his hand grandly. "No problem, I''ll arrange it for you now." With that, Wang Hua turned swiftly to leave, but halfway through, he seemed to remember something and turned back to Zhu Haomiao seriously. "But is it okay if the opponent is completely random?" Zhu Haomiao: "......" It seems that the "evenly matched" opponent last time left a psychological shadow on him... Originally, he wanted to specify a Lord, but considering he already jumped the queue, continuing with underhanded tactics seemed a bit too much. Zhu Haomiao nodded compliantly. "Sure." Giving the boy an OK gesture, Wang Hua dove into the staff area and came out again in just a few minutes. "Done! It''s your turn next!" "Um... can I kill the opponent?" "......" Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s shy, expectant yet embarrassed pretty face, Wang Hua fell into deep silence. How could you say such fierce words with such an innocent expression? So you participate just to kill the opponent? Does it have to be so bloodthirsty? Pinching his brows in distress, Wang Hua hesitated for a few seconds, but before he could respond, a steady voice rang beside him. "The opponent is from Gallia, and we have no grudge with them. Random killing might not look good." "Senior Brother Feng!" Seeing the newcomer, Wang Hua let out a long breath of relief and quickly stepped aside, passing the hot potato over. Feng Zhaobai smiled and nodded, observing Zhu Haomiao''s face without a trace. Seeing the boy''s serious and peaceful brow, devoid of the imagined ferocity, Feng Zhaobai''s heart settled. Thankfully, no signs of falling into the demonic path... "Junior Brother Zhu, the match hasn''t even started, why do you want to kill the opponent already?" Feng Zhaobai chuckled, teasing without leaving a mark. Zhu Haomiao was suddenly stumped, not knowing how to answer. Could it be said he was craving the Lord''s body? "Uh... recently, my strength has been growing fast, and my control can''t keep up. I''m afraid of accidentally killing the opponent..." In a pinch, Zhu Haomiao blurted out an excuse, unexpectedly, the two in front of him believed it without a doubt. "Growth of strength surpassing the growth of control... What a lavish worry..." Seeing the boy''s confused expression, Feng Zhaobai sighed, a hint of barely visible jealousy in his eyes. And Wang Hua beside him was even more direct, staring intently into Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, with undisguised envy and jealousy. "Uh... is that difficult?" Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but ask. Actually, his answer wasn''t quite a lie, as his Six-dimensional Attributes were continuously and rapidly growing. The first thing he did every morning was to adapt to his enhanced strength once more! Daily control was simple, taking only a few minutes, but precise control in battle was something even he wasn''t confident in. Unless the opponent was like the previous Lord, pushing him to the limit, allowing him to unleash all his strength! Then learn to master everything in battle! On the other side, hearing Zhu Haomiao''s seemingly self-satisfied queries, even Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but subtly rub his forehead, feeling a slight urge to hit him. "Even an ordinary [God''s Destiny] finds it hard to reach this state; only the top [God''s Destiny] can experience such circumstances..." Upon hearing Feng Zhaobai''s explanation, Zhu Haomiao immediately understood his current state and wisely shut his mouth. Senior Brother Wang beside him even started grinding his teeth, his eyes red as if he wanted to bite someone! Just then, the broadcast announcement came to Zhu Haomiao''s rescue. "Senior Brothers, it''s my turn to go on stage, see you later." With a hearty fist salute, Zhu Haomiao turned and walked towards the contender''s passage, quickly disappearing from their sight. A few minutes later, the boy stood on the edge of the ring and saw his opponent for this match. He was a blond, blue-eyed sunny boy, but the moment their eyes met, the other''s confident face instantly froze, becoming increasingly bitter and twisted. After struggling for a few seconds, the blond boy sighed deeply, his shoulders drooping helplessly, and said something to the referee below. "Contender Jacob concedes, Contender Zhu Haomiao wins!" With the referee''s announcement, the vast arena immediately erupted into a frenzy. "Coward! Damn you!" "What are you afraid of?! At worst, you''ll die! Fight!" "Do you Gallians have no men?!" "All Gallian men have long been extinct!" ......... Listening to the various taunts from the audience, the blond boy seemed drained of spirit, his gaze dim as he walked off the ring. Meanwhile, an originally enthusiastic Zhu Haomiao was also dumbfounded as he walked down, bafflingly looking towards the two Senior Brothers who came to meet him. "This..." "A person''s name, the shadow of a tree, Junior Brother Zhu, congratulations on making your mark in one battle!" Wang Hua patted Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder, jokingly mocking with schadenfreude. Chapter 101 - 101: Sacrifice "What do you mean?" "It means you made a name for yourself in the last battle. Now, most of the ordinary Silver Level contenders facing you will probably concede voluntarily. After all, the spectacle you created last time was indeed a bit outrageous, even watching it made my heart race..." "Huh?" "But don''t worry, after these two rounds of matches, your hidden score must be off the charts. Next time, the system''s automatic match-up is likely to arrange a Golden Level opponent for you!" "..." Is this a good thing? Furrowing his brows and contemplating for two seconds, Zhu Haomiao suddenly thought of something and looked at Feng Zhaobai with clear eyes. Before he could speak, Feng Zhaobai smiled slightly, holding up one finger. "The opponent was an ordinary Silver Level, consider it a completed task, 100 points." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao let out a long sigh of relief and immediately used the newly obtained Contribution Points. "Senior Brother Feng, could you help me exchange for the sixth layer of [Stacked Waves Strength]?" Taking the Dragon Emblem handed over by the youth, Feng Zhaobai looked him up and down with an odd expression. "Did you achieve Great Success in breaking through the Fifth Level of [Stacked Waves Strength]?" Glancing at the Cultivation Technique in the [Book of Black], Zhu Haomiao calmly shook his head. "Not yet, I''m stuck at the Fourth Level bottleneck, but it should be soon." Seeing the youth''s carefree demeanor, Feng Zhaobai and Wang Hua exchanged glances, both seeing the indescribable complex emotions in each other''s eyes. Even if you''re extraordinarily talented, you have to follow basic principles! Everyone experiences bottlenecks equally, with an element of randomness ¨C why is it as easy for you as eating and drinking?! The key issue is that it''s uncontrollable! How can you be so confidently assured?! What''s more frightening is that despite such outrageous statements, we don''t find anything wrong, but instead feel an inexplicable sense of acceptance. Even though it''s absurd, when thinking it''s him, it seems normal... "You guys with [God''s Destiny] are truly damned!" Hearing Wang Hua''s gritted admonition, Feng Zhaobai gave him a sidelong glance. "Not every [God''s Destiny] is like him, don''t mistakenly offend." Zhu Haomiao: "..." After saying this, Feng Zhaobai turned to arrange the exchange, while Wang Hua continued to stare at Zhu Haomiao with an expression of resentment. "Senior Brother Wang..." "Do you know how long it took me back then to break a Basic Force from Small Success to Great Success?" "Uh..." "Five years! Do you know how I lived through those five years?!!" "..." Seeing Wang Hua''s excited appearance, Zhu Haomiao discreetly took two steps back, fearing he might utter, "You''re doomed today, not even Jesus can save you!" Fortunately, after venting his emotions, Wang Hua''s tone shifted to one of sage-like wisdom. "Ah... fellows like you, Heaven''s Chosen Sons, won''t understand the suffering of us mortals..." Before he finished speaking, a slap landed on Wang Hua''s head, making him crouch defensively on the spot. "I remember you''re a top-tier [Heroic Destiny], just one step away from [God''s Destiny], what do you mean mortal?!" Feng Zhaobai gave him an exasperated look, casually handing the [Dragon Emblem] back to Zhu Haomiao. "In front of this guy, how am I different from a mortal?!" Wang Hua, clutching his head, retorted indignantly. Hearing this, Feng Zhaobai paused, reluctantly nodding. "That''s true..." Let''s not mention [Heroic Destiny], even as someone with [God''s Destiny], Feng Zhaobai himself felt a vast "Heavenly" gap between him and the youth. The speed of the other''s growth was terrifying! So terrifying that even those with [God''s Destiny] found it hard to comprehend! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the other hand, sensing the unfavorable atmosphere towards himself, Zhu Haomiao decisively changed the subject. "By the way, Senior Brother Wang, can I have another match?" Hearing this serious inquiry, Wang Hua straightened his demeanor and stood up. "Not today, it''s already unconventional to have inserted an impromptu match, any more privileges and I''ll get penalized." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao feigned disappointment and sighed. "Alright then..." "If you follow the standard procedure, the earliest you can schedule another match is the day after tomorrow. Do you want to register?" Seeing the youth''s expression of unfulfilled regret, Wang Hua proposed a compromise. Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a few seconds and shook his head. "In a few days, I''ll have to return to the real world for some adjustments, maybe next time." The main reason was that once he returned today, he would undergo pupation breakthrough, which wasn''t suitable for intense combat. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with the two, Zhu Haomiao decisively bid farewell. While heading back to the hotel, Zhu Haomiao suddenly sensed something, looking up into the distance, his gaze penetrating the barriers of time and space, reflecting a flame-like rolling black light in his eyes. ......... "Praise be to my Lord, I offer the sinful to you as a sacrifice..." "We pray for the light of Primordial Sin to enlighten the world..." "Grant us redemption... In the dark and desolate underground altar, a group of mysterious figures shrouded in black cloaks knelt devoutly, holding a shining Gold Coin in their hands, muttering prayers. And in front of them, dozens of "sacrifices" with broken hands and feet, barely clinging to life, were stacked in the center of the altar, struggling helplessly and in terror. Among them, a middle-aged white man with blonde hair and blue eyes was hysterically roaring and cursing. "You madmen! Demons! God will punish you, your souls will descend into Hell!!" Yet no one paid attention to his screams, only a figure entirely shrouded in a hooded cloak slowly approached him. "Mr. Liran Campbell, we are all gravely sinful people, do you really think you''ll ascend to Heaven?" Accompanied by mocking words, the newcomer slowly removed his hood, revealing a sharply defined, elegant face. "I bought an indulgence, God will forgive me!" "And you! Wilson! You actually sided with the Devil! The Church Court will never let you go!" "Your soul will surely descend to the lake of fire, to suffer forever!" Upon hearing this false bravado of a curse, Wilson lifted a derisive smile. "Dear Mr. Liran Campbell, you are deluded!" "God is ''merciful''. No matter what I''ve done, as long as I buy an indulgence, God will forgive me, just as... He will forgive you..." "?!!" With Wilson''s blasphemous murmurs echoing in his ears, Liran Campbell''s eyes widened, opening his mouth to speak, yet finding himself unable to retort. "No... it''s not like this... it''s not like this..." Watching Liran Campbell''s breakdown into despair, Wilson''s tone shifted, showing a fanatical smile. "To become a sacrifice for my Lord is a glory bestowed by Heaven upon you, be grateful, sinful in your greed!" Gently caressing Liran Campbell''s head, the black light in Wilson''s eyes churned, and the previously elegant gentlemanly smile inexplicably turned cold and sinister. At this moment, Wilson seemed to sense something, turning to kneel devoutly towards the dense darkness untouched by faint light. Chapter 102 - 102: Blessings Looking in the direction of his kneeling, Liran Campbell vaguely saw a blurry humanoid figure gradually emerging, with an oppressive sense of mysterious evil, drawing closer bit by bit. "What...is that?!!" An inexplicable feeling of suffocation dominated his mind, and Liran Campbell shivered in terror, his body covered in goosebumps, as if he were a frog stared down by a venomous snake; even his heartbeat nearly came to a standstill. The slender figure emerging from the darkness finally stood still not far from the altar, its face veiled under a black hood, only revealing a pair of terrifying eyes emitting a faint glow. Just meeting those eyes, Liran Campbell felt as though he saw Satan from Hell, unable to control himself as he let out a piercing scream. "Demon! Stay away from me!" Ignoring his wails, Zhu Haomiao looked around and discovered that the entire floor of the altar was engraved with a large, mysterious Seven-pointed Star Formation. Surrounding the formation, countless "believers" clasped Greed Coins in their hands, staring devoutly at him. Meanwhile, in the center of the Seven-pointed Star Formation, dozens of figures on the brink of mental collapse seemed to sense something, screaming at him frantically. Some begged for mercy, some threatened, some wailed pathetically, while others tried to offer wealth to buy their lives back... But without exception, they exuded an overpoweringly thick scent of "sin"! Wilson had already, without realizing it, helped shatter their shells, their fragile spirits on the verge of collapse, exposed defenselessly to the radiation of the Book of Black. Taking a deep breath, Zhu Haomiao seemed to savor a delicious feast and closed his eyes in rapture. Each of them was truly a talent! Rape, murder, drug trafficking... If they were even slightly humanized, they wouldn''t be so deeply sinful... Feeling the malice and cause and effect lingering upon them, Zhu Haomiao opened his eyes, a sinister and eerie glow emanating from within the depths of his pupils. Keeping you alive would just make rice more expensive in this world! "Greed!" The deep and sonorous muttering was nothing like a human''s voice; it was more akin to the growl of some giant carnivorous beast. The layered echoes seemed to come from the depths of the earth or resound from within each person''s heart. In an ominous feeling, everyone present felt their scalp tingling, goosebumps rising all over, sensing something terrifying and indescribable was slowly descending! With a twisted reality, the authority of the Book of Black manipulated cause and effect, materializing the elusive laws into observable ''phenomena.'' Ka-cha ka-cha~ "Aaaaaahhh ooooooohhhh!!!!!!!" The bone-twisting noises, chillingly like firecrackers, crackled through the air. As if foreseeing the arrival of death, Liran Campbell clasped tightly onto an old silver-plated cross around his neck, praying devoutly amidst desperation and agony. "Lord, I beseech your salvation!" "May the Holy Light shine upon my soul and lift me to Heaven!" "I beseech Guardian Angel Gabriel for protection, absolve my sins..." In a realm invisible to mortals, a Holy Light descended from the void, enveloping Liran Campbell, seemingly about to guide his soul to Heaven. But as Zhu Haomiao raised his eyes for a glance, infinite darkness surged forth, like a curtain covering everything, obliterating and devouring the blazing holy light. Ka-cha~ Each finger clasped around the cross twisted one by one in a spiraling motion, endless pain and despair filling Liran Campbell''s mind, rendering him incapable of further prayer, only able to emit piercing screams instinctively. In the next moment, the twisted fingers folded into reverse joints, unable to grasp anything further, as the old cross slowly fell to the ground, covered by gushing blood... Yet at the same time, in a church dozens of kilometers away, an exquisite young girl deep in contemplative meditation opened her eyes, illusory wings unfurling behind her, pouring pure golden flames from her eyes, illuminating the entire church as if it were broad daylight. She slowly raised her head to gaze into the void, hearing the fleeting sound of despairing confession. Meanwhile, at the center of another altar, accompanied by the shrill wails of the dying "sacrifices," they seemed to be lifted into the air by invisible hands, undergoing refinement, purification, reformation, and condensation under mystical laws, gradually blooming into a mesmerizing golden hue. In the fearful yet greedy gaze of all "believers," one by one, Gold Coins slowly formed, hovering in the air like a myriad of stars. Simultaneously, the twisted corpses crushed into residue fell back to the center of the altar, forming a grotesque and terrifying pyramid of corpses. Immediately, the myriad of golden stars converged downward, heaping into a small "gold mountain" at the peak of the pyramid formed by corpses. Finally, the layered dried-up twisted corpses formed a base, together with the beautifully alluring golden pinnacle, creating a symbolic, evil yet sacred terrifying pyramid! Just looking at this unusual and bizarre scene, everyone inexplicably recalled the patterns engraved on the Greed Coins, instantly understanding something, trembling all over as they bowed their heads. Zhu Haomiao waved his hand, and the "Pyramid Peak" in the center of the Seven-pointed Star altar detached from the base of corpses, slowly floating in mid-air, faintly releasing splendid and beautiful golden light. Then, glancing at the devout figure kneeling not far away, the young man smiled contentedly. "Wilson." "Yes, my lord!" "You''ve done well." Zhu Haomiao snapped his fingers, and a few brilliant golden lights flashed forth from the suspended "Pyramid Peak," landing in Wilson''s palm. Then, watching him frenziedly and joyously absorb these Greed Coins, Zhu Haomiao lifted his gaze towards the equally excited and thrilled "believers." "You all did well too." With a gentle wave of his hand, a cascade of golden light rained down, with everyone receiving one or two Greed Coins. "Enjoy your blessings..." With a hint of a sinister smile, Zhu Haomiao slowly stepped back a few paces, retreating back into the darkness untouched by light, as the floating "Pyramid Peak" in the air also seemed to be hidden by a curtain, gradually dissipating into nothingness. Almost instinctively, a throng of believers understood the true use of the Greed Coins, deliriously using them to "purchase" whatever they desired! "I want youth!" "I want beauty!" "I want health!" S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ... As the coins melted into thick black liquid, seeping into their skin, dry wrinkles vanished bit by bit, maliciously ugly features turned beautiful, and bodies hollowed by opium became full once more... Exchanging the "value" extracted from the numerous sacrifices, everyone "bought" whatever they desired! Lifespan, youth, beauty, health... Everything...everything... Chapter 103 - 103: Safe House However, while satisfying their own desires, they unwittingly also sink bit by bit into the invisible abyss, gradually polluted, alienated, losing themselves. In the darkness, Zhu Haomiao stood quietly in place, feeling the unseen threads connecting to him, thoughtfully looking at Wilson not far away. Among all the "believers," there was one particularly thick and tough connection fastened to him, its "quality" almost resembling a channel! In a daze, Zhu Haomiao noticed that as the corruption deepened, Wilson''s self was further weakened, and there were faint, more mysterious and bizarre changes. It seemed... one could perform some incredible "miracles" through the connection of the "Faith Channel"! Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao followed the guidance of his spirituality, his gaze shifted, and Wilson, not far away, instantly lifted his eyes to meet his gaze. And in Zhu Haomiao''s view, he saw himself! Not a surveillance-like perspective, but his will truly descended into Wilson''s body! Slowly standing up, "Wilson" looked at his own palm, feeling the surging strength that surged out of nowhere, softly exhaled a breath of turbid air. Constrained by the "container''s" capacity, the true strength couldn''t fully descend, but... it was enough... He didn''t need him to fight head-on, just needed him to act on his behalf at the necessary moment! In his eyes flashed a black light, "Wilson" raised his five fingers, and a dark, heavy book materialized from the void in his palm. Looking at the familiar [Book of Black], "Wilson" lifted his head, sharing a glance with the boy not far away, revealing a mirror-like smile in unison. Then, "Wilson" loosened his five fingers, and the [Book of Black] instantly dissipated. As Zhu Haomiao retrieved his thoughts, the figure not far away paused briefly, then after a long moment, returned to his senses and knelt devoutly to the boy. "Wilson." "Here." "Is the safe house ready?" "It''s ready, just outside Shanghai, and it''s quite concealed." "Take me there." "Yes." Respectfully leading the boy away from the altar, they traversed the complex, dark passages and left the urban area of Magic City, arriving at a desolate and uninhabited wilderness. Through a hidden, disguised entrance, they walked through a maze-like underground space, reaching a magnificent, heavy bronze door deep underground. Opening the complex mechanism, an extremely luxurious bedroom came into view. But because it lay deep underground, with dim, damp, cold tunnels outside, this abrupt luxurious bedroom instead seemed like a sleeping tomb sealing some demon. Adding to that the mysterious seven-pointed star engraved on the bronze door, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably envisioned a group of adventurers hacking through challenges, standing before this door, preparing to fight a boss. Zhu Haomiao: "..." What is this Diablo plot! After all this time, am I the Big Boss?! A heap of frustration caught in his throat, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the respectful Wilson, sighed helplessly. Clearly, I am a sunny and cheerful guy, so why has it become more and more hellish? Even sleeping now feels like being sealed! Is this the villainous boss''s style you imagine me as? If future reports deviate, you all better take responsibility! With a wry glance at Wilson, Zhu Haomiao stepped forward into the luxurious bedroom, waving his hand with his back to him. "Go." Behind the boy, Wilson placed his hand over his heart in a devoted salute, the enormous bronze gate engraved with the mysterious seven-pointed star array slowly closing, echoing deeply and hauntingly within the underground palace. Bang! Accompanied by the closing sound of the heavy bronze door behind, Zhu Haomiao scanned around, then lay down on the soft bed covered with velvet rugs. "Sloth." S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The deep gaze slowly lost focus, strands of illusionary threads coalesced out of thin air, entwining around the boy, forming a massive cocoon room. Meanwhile, a streak of gold streaming light from the [Book of Black] emanated into the depths of the cocoon room, settling into the depths of the spirit and body, undergoing the pupation and transformation. His gemstone-like crystalline eyes gradually dimmed, Zhu Haomiao closed his eyes, his breath and heartbeat slowing, eventually losing all signs of life like a stone. But in the depths of the sea of consciousness, the spiritual self of Zhu Haomiao opened its eyes, raising its hand to retrieve a luxurious coin from the void. On the front of the coin, a mysterious, sacred pyramid emitted endless light, resonating with the divinity within the boy himself. The next moment, hundreds of coins emerged around the boy, instantly disintegrating and melting, diffusing into a tidal wave of darkness, continuously coalescing and converging at the boy''s feet. Gradually, a hazy, majestic pyramid shadow slowly took shape at Zhu Haomiao''s feet, where "faith" manifested into a visible form, condensing into threads of light, thin or thick, encircling the pyramid peak. In a trance, it was as if the pyramid peak itself emitted endless light, illuminating the entire world. Without any hesitation to spend the [greed coin] obtained from this sacrifice, Zhu Haomiao felt the firmly anchored faith anchor, his lips involuntarily curling up slightly. "Return!" Consciousness withdrew from the plane, the soul departed from the body. However, the flesh, which should have been hidden in the crevice between illusion and reality, was firmly anchored by countless threads of faith, still lying on the luxurious soft velvet bed, like a caterpillar undergoing pupation, quietly asleep! And on the real side, Zhu Haomiao emerged from the Illusion Realm, left the [Boundary Pass], and let out a breath of relief. Indeed, the position of the [Book of Black] is so high, possessing enough divinity to anchor my faith at the First Layer Heaven! This way, even in the time used for return and rest, I can continue digesting attributes, doubling my growth speed at least! The only hidden danger is, hoping a bunch of "main characters" doesn''t really show up, seizing the moment I''m asleep to fight the boss... But probably not that unlucky, right? A sunny, cheerful boy, harmless to humans and animals like me, who would be so mean to target me? Shaking his head, casting the distracting thoughts aside, Zhu Haomiao squinted thoughtfully, vaguely feeling that, based on the faith anchor, he might be able to accomplish even more daring operations. Carefully capturing that fleeting inspiration, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes suddenly moved, turning his head to look at the [Boundary Pass] behind him, slightly raising an eyebrow. Door! Taking a deep breath, Zhu Haomiao suppressed the throbbing in his heart, temporarily putting the matter aside. Having just returned, it''s not too late to try after resting... In the meantime, he could also take the opportunity to check some related information... Raising his leg to walk towards the dormitory, suddenly, Zhu Haomiao as if recalled something, turned around and walked in the direction outside the campus. Diao Chan is still with Senior Sister! Better fetch the pet back first, a few inhales wouldn''t hurt! Chapter 104 - 104: I Dont Believe You! By the way, about the [open the door] thing, I can also ask my senior sister, there doesn''t seem to be much information about that online... Several minutes later, Zhu Haomiao smoothly passed the facial recognition security and made his way to the depths of the villa neighborhood without any hindrance. He used his fingerprint to open the heavy main door, skillfully changed into slippers, and sauntered into the living room. Instantly, his whole body trembled. Not far away on the sofa, a pair of straight, slender, sculpture-like snow-white beautiful legs were crossed, instantly locking down Zhu Haomiao''s gaze. It took all of his willpower to tear his eyes away from those exquisite legs. Zhu Haomiao forcibly directed his gaze upward, seeing a serene and charming little face. Asleep, Li Cang didn''t have the kind of aggressive heroism he exuded when awake; instead, there was a soft and elegant charming grace. Moreover, his oversized T-shirt had slipped to the side, revealing one skinny white shoulder and that exquisite collarbone, making Zhu Haomiao''s heart pulsate wildly. Oh my god! What kind of androgynous fox spirit is this? Teacher Su E, help! Realizing his [Dao Heart] was being violently shaken, Zhu Haomiao tried to forcibly avert his gaze, but his eyes seemed to have their own plans. Held hostage for several seconds, the boy''s heart was racing when he suddenly felt something was amiss. Wait! This elegant and slender frame is far from the rugged strength of a man''s. Is he really not a woman dressed as a man? Once more doubting his judgment, Zhu Haomiao instinctively glanced at Li Cang''s chest. But... it''s just too flat! So flat it evokes sympathy! Considering his height and healthy, voluptuous limbs, nutrition definitely isn''t a problem. So... any woman would have a bit of a curve, right? Comparing this to Ye Wan Ning''s pair of "huge burdens" always set on the table, Zhu Haomiao fell into painful self-doubt once again. Mom! I can''t tell!! I really can''t tell at all!! At this moment, perhaps sensing Zhu Haomiao''s gaze, Li Cang slowly opened his eyes, his drowsy fox eyes glimmering like a shimmering multicolored lake, mysterious, elegant, alluring, enchanting... making one irresistibly want to possess him. But in the next second, as his consciousness gradually cleared, a heroic aura arose like an unsheathed treasure sword, the allure in his fox eyes transforming into a chilling sharpness that filled the room with a pressing sense of domination. As his eyes fully opened, the soft radiant aura completely disappeared, turning the angelic sleeping beauty into a dignified noble youth with sword-shaped eyebrows. This naturally seamless switch left Zhu Haomiao utterly dumbfounded, making it even harder to distinguish this guy''s actual gender. "Why are you here?" Half-awake, Li Cang''s voice carried a hint of lazy nasal tone, his husky magnetic voice once again plucking at Zhu Haomiao''s heartstrings. No way... dude... Do you know how freakish your supernatural charm is?! My LV.2 [Dao Heart] can''t even resist it! Stop casually emitting it! What if Se Se loses control? "Dude, you''re so fragrant" won''t solve it! Grinding his teeth, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, stabilized his [Dao Heart], and feigned calmness. "I just got back and wanted to pick up Diao Chan." "Oh, Oil took him out to play, have a seat." Motioning Zhu Haomiao to sit down, Li Cang stood up and walked over to the bar. "What do you want to drink? We have coffee and tea." "Thanks, just a glass of plain water will do." Observing Li Cang acting like the host, Zhu Haomiao felt a sudden ominous premonition. The last time he thought his senior sister invited him for dinner, why is he still here this time? Could it be... They''re living together??!! But weren''t they supposed to not be a couple? Or does he have some kind of cuckold preference, and I''m just part of their ROLEPLAY?!! All sorts of nonsensical chaotic thoughts churned in Zhu Haomiao''s mind, and Li Cang placed a glass of water in front of him, curiously watching his constantly changing expressions. "What''s wrong with you?" "N-nothing..." Zhu Haomiao stiffly pulled the corners of his mouth into a smile, hesitated for a moment, but couldn''t help asking. "Uh... do you also live here?" "Yeah, this villa has eight bedrooms, Oil and I both live on the second floor." Li Cang curled up on the sofa, hugging his long snow-white legs and sipping a small mouthful of coffee. Seeing him so matter-of-factly, Zhu Haomiao''s mouth twitched slightly, feelings churning inside. Co-ed living, that''s scandalous and shameless!! Just then, there was the sound of a door opening from the entrance, accompanied by a familiar voice. "Cangcang, I''m back." Turning his head, Ye Wan Ning walked into the living room carrying bags, with a "snow white furball" stuffing green dates into its cheeks on her head. "Squeak!!!" Seeing Zhu Haomiao, Diao Chan quickly crammed a large date into its cheeks, gave a cheer, and leapt from Ye Wan Ning''s head, heading straight into the boy''s arms. "Squeak squeak squeak~~~~" Its fluffy tail spun like a propeller, Diao Chan squeaked and crawled to Zhu Haomiao''s neck, enthusiastically licking and sniffing, snuggling crazily. "Alright! Alright! Are you part canine or mustelid!? It''s only been two days!" Peeling Diao Chan off his face, Zhu Haomiao held it in his arms, lovingly stroking. The confusion, disconnection, loss, emptiness, and sense of illusion after returning from the Illusion Realm gradually faded, replaced by a faint yet genuine happiness. Zhu Haomiao lowered his head, taking a deep inhalation on Diao Chan''s head, a satisfied smile curling his lips. That''s the smell! Strong! Meanwhile, Ye Wan Ning set down her bags, happily watching the boy. "When did you come back?" "Just got back." "Great, I bought lots of ingredients, I''ll make you guys a feast tonight!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao hadn''t reacted yet, but Li Cang''s face changed dramatically, suddenly standing up. "No way!" "???" Looking at Li Cang in surprise, not understanding his fierce reaction, Zhu Haomiao''s eyebrows twitched slightly, suddenly sensing the issue wasn''t simple. Ye Wan Ning, however, stared solemnly into Li Cang''s eyes, gravely uttering two words. "Trust me." "Trust you, my foot! You crazy woman are up to no good! Last time I trusted you, I had diarrhea for seven days!" Ye Wan Ning: "..." Facing her friend''s ruthless exposure, Ye Wan Ning couldn''t hold it in anymore, lightly biting her pink lips, unwilling to retort. "That''s because you have a weak stomach!" "Me, with a Middle Heavenly Position dominance level martial artist constitution, I can even eat He Dinghong without issue, and you''re saying I have a weak stomach?!" "You insisted on finishing it and said you hate waste. I even advised you not to eat more back then!" S§×arch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 105 - 105: [Gluttony] Cooking Skills "Why did you make so much?! You make me try it, and I''m nauseous. Now I have to finish it all?! You''re so incompetent yet so playful!!" "I... I... Errrrr..." Seeing Ye Wan Ning becoming embarrassed and angry, growling like an angry dog, the two poised as if for a duel, Zhu Haomiao quickly stood up to mediate. "How about I do it, I''m pretty decent at cooking." Thanks to the culinary skills he honed during his previous life''s study abroad, Zhu Haomiao was somewhat confident. At least the food he makes doesn''t cause stomach issues... Opening the bags upon bags of ingredients brought back by his senior sister, Zhu Haomiao skillfully sorted them, preparing to wash and marinate them. Seeing him this way, the two who were earlier on the verge of fighting exchanged looks and embarrassedly gathered around. "Uh... how about I do it?" Seeing the rare shyness in Ye Wan Ning, Zhu Haomiao smiled and shook his head. "You two can help out; it''ll be faster this way." Without hesitation, he assigned tasks to the two and checked around, discovering this huge open kitchen had everything, including dozens of different knives, and an uncountable variety of pots and pans. "..." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Indeed, the worse the student, the more stationery they have... Lips pressed together, Zhu Haomiao picked up a kitchen knife, hefting it a couple of times, the vague familiarity from his past life surged within him. Just as he was about to slice the meat, suddenly a fluffy white little creature rushed in, taking out a wet carrot from its cheek pouch, holding it up proudly like a treasure. "Chii~" Looking at Diao Chan''s sparkling expectant eyes, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the saliva-glossed carrot, his brow involuntarily twitching. Thank you for your filial piety, but I really can''t accept it... "Be good, you eat it yourself, we''re not using this." Patting Diao Chan''s little head, Zhu Haomiao chuckled dryly and nudged it aside, watching it stuff the carrot back in! "..." Suddenly, he thought of how Diao Chan occasionally shared its food with him before, and Zhu Haomiao immediately wore a tortured expression. No wonder the food it offered always felt slimy!! Damn, from now on, anything this guy gives me is off-limits! Who knows if it took it out of its mouth! Suppressing the tumult in his stomach, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, forcing himself to shift focus. Just as he was heating oil and saut¨¦ing the garlic, ginger, and onion, a fleeting dark green divine light shimmered in his eyes. [Gluttony]! By a stroke of fortune, Zhu Haomiao felt the flow of time slowing, his senses becoming sharper, able to accurately capture every chemical reaction in the frying pan, and inherently knowing how to maximize the nutrition and flavor of the ingredients! His eyes slightly brightened, Zhu Haomiao picked up the spatula, gently stirring, letting the garlic, ginger, and onion fully react with the hot oil, while silently invoking the authority of [Gluttony], infusing the food with supernatural and mystical attributes. Then, he poured the marinated meat slices into the pan, in a fierce sizzle, the young man flipped the pan and wielded the spatula, the surging flames seemed to turn into obedient spirits under his hands, merging with the hot oil in the pan, instantly locking in the moisture of the meat slices and extracting a rich and enticing aroma. Gulp~ The alluring scent tantalized their nostrils, and the two bystanders swallowed simultaneously, looking at each other in surprise. The little guy has been hiding this skill? There''s more than meets the eye! Unseen, examining the young man''s sleek movements, being someone whose cooking talent far exceeds her eating desire, Ye Wan Ning seemed to see the ideal version of herself, a flicker of longing admiration in her eyes. "Cangcang, don''t you think Shui looks kinda cool when cooking?" Ye Wan Ning''s big watery eyes blinked eagerly, eager to share her revelation with her friend. Li Cang pressed his lips together, unable to voice "you''re truly just hungry" no matter what. Even he had to admit, in this state, Zhu Haomiao indeed exuded a unique charm. That natural confidence and ease, the smooth and skilled technique, without a single superfluous movement, like a master with decades of culinary expertise, each gesture and motion imbued with an indescribable elegance, it didn''t seem like cooking at all, more like performing a piece of art, just watching him was a delight! When he was serious and focused, it was as if the entire kitchen became his domain, and he the ruler of this realm, openly displaying a mature and confident allure! Even though... his face still held traces of youth... Watching the young man''s focused profile, a strange sense of contrast made Li Cang''s heart skip, causing him to awkwardly avert his gaze. Noticing the subtle change in her friend''s mood, Ye Wan Ning kept her eyes on the young man, her beautiful bright eyes shimmering with watery waves, yet the corners of her mouth faintly curled upward. Dozens of minutes later, after transforming most of the ingredients into a dazzling feast, Zhu Haomiao withdrew from the mystical state, noticing the adoration on Ye Wan Ning''s face beside him. "Senior Sister?" The gentle call snapped Ye Wan Ning from her reverie, she withdrew her gaze, secretly swallowing, and invited Zhu Haomiao to sit down. "Shui, thank you for your hard work." "No, it''s nothing." Since neither of you can eat much anyway, this is really all for myself! With a light laugh, he shook his head, looking at the tableful of finely crafted, subtly extraordinary dishes, his mouth watered. Though it hadn''t reached a glowing level, it indeed brushed the threshold of supernatural cuisine, and this was in the real world! If things turn south, opening a restaurant could make a fortune! Flashing impractical thoughts through his mind, Zhu Haomiao picked up his chopsticks, about to start, when he noticed someone missing. "Where''s Li Cang?" "Cangcang went upstairs to grab some drinks, will be right down." Upon hearing that, Zhu Haomiao felt a twinge in his heart, took the chance, and leaned close to Ye Wan Ning, whispering a question that had long bothered him. "Senior Sister, tell me honestly, is Li Cang male or female?" "Hmm?" Blinking, Ye Wan Ning looked at Zhu Haomiao quizzically. "I told you before, he''s a guy." But his frame is so delicate, no Adam''s apple, smooth skin without a trace of hair... Frowning, Zhu Haomiao was a little troubled, covering his mouth in contemplation for a few seconds, continuing to ask. "Then why is he living with you?" "We''re good friends, isn''t it normal to be roommates?" Watching Ye Wan Ning''s matter-of-fact expression, Zhu Haomiao hesitated, and hesitated again. What normalcy! A single man and woman living together, even as good friends, shouldn''t be like this! In ancient times, this would warrant being dunked in a pig cage! Immoral! Shameless! Noticing Zhu Haomiao''s nuanced jealousy, Ye Wan Ning playfully curled her lips, a sly glint flashed in her crescent-shaped eyes. "What? Do you have a thing for Cangcang?" Chapter 106 - 106, Good Best Friend Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao was shocked and immediately denied it thrice without hesitation. "I''m not, I didn''t, don''t talk nonsense!" Watching the boy frantically wave his hands, Ye Wan Ning laughed even more unrestrainedly. Pressing her lips together, she leaned in to Zhu Haomiao''s ear and whispered. "It''s okay, Cangcang also likes boys, you''ve got a shot~" Boom! It''s as if a thunderbolt struck from the heavens, Zhu Haomiao turned his stiff neck and looked at her in disbelief. "Wha...what do you mean?" "Just the literal meaning~" Ye Wan Ning shrugged and smiled breezily. "It''s the 21st century, everyone is free to like what they want..." No! If I indulge my freedom, the whole world would urge me to see a doctor! Chewing his lips with a troubled expression, Zhu Haomiao vaguely sorted out the logic. No wonder Senior Sister feels confident living under the same roof with him, turns out he''s not interested in women at all... Right... with his devastatingly good-looking face, he''s probably not interested in other women either... "So... Li Cang is ''that kind'' of male BFF?" "That kind?" Ye Wan Ning was clearly taken aback for a second, but then quickly understood what Zhu Haomiao meant. She forcibly suppressed her twitching mouth corner and solemnly nodded. "Yes, Cangcang is indeed my good BFF!" Just then, the indoor elevator doors not far away slowly opened, and Li Cang walked out carrying a few bottles of drinks, looking at the two with diverse expressions, puzzled. Ye Wan Ning had the familiar look of one holding back a mischievous smile, while Zhu Haomiao''s look was much more complex, with regret, relief, and a hint of soul-crushing sorrow... "What''s going on?" "Nothing, just sit down for a meal." Without any explanation, Ye Wan Ning pulled him to the dining table and handed a bottle of cola to Zhu Haomiao. "Let''s dig in, I''m hungry~" As the host, Ye Wan Ning was the first to pick up her chopsticks, picked up a piece of chicken, and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes instantly brightened, and she let out a blissful moan. "Mmm... It''s so delicious!!" Is it really that exaggerated? To boast about her good little brother, she doesn''t even care about face! Li Cang cast a sidelong glance at his friend, secretly grumbling, as he picked up a piece of twice-cooked pork and tasted it. His expression immediately froze. This texture... this taste... most importantly, this savor! The explosion of delicious happiness in the mouth had surpassed the material level, transforming into some kind of soul-reaching stimulation, providing the most essential and profound happiness and satisfaction! They could no longer bother to speak, and the two devoured their food eagerly, unaware of the happy smiles spreading across their faces. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao was also immersed in the extraordinary meal he had created, nodding thoughtfully. In the real world, the LV.2 level Authority of [Gluttony] wasn''t too strong yet. If he could elevate it to a high rank later, he might actually be able to create luminous food in reality! Furthermore, the ingredients catalyzed by [Gluttony] seemed to have their nutritional value pushed to the limits. The same dish contained several times more energy than those made by ordinary chefs! But it also brought about a hunger far more intense than ordinary food! That insistent and gnawing hunger reminded Zhu Haomiao of the painful journey at [Dao Heart] LV.0. As the boy suppressed his urges and ate slowly and methodically, there was a sudden tug on his left sleeve. Lowering his head, he saw Diao Chan standing on the stool, one little paw on the table edge, the other anxiously pawing at his sleeve, while its cute tongue madly licked at its mouth, whining pitifully. "Mmm~~" Seeing its large, watery eyes, feeling like it was about to speak human language out of urgency, Zhu Haomiao chuckled and shook his head, picking up a slice of twice-cooked pork and handing it to its mouth. "Nom~" The little guy snatched the meat slice with a bite, dove under the table to feast, but less than ten seconds later, it stood up again, started pawing at Zhu Haomiao''s sleeve, and crazily licked its lips. "The grease is pretty heavy, you eat too much, you''ll shed." "Squeak squeak squeak~" Ignoring Zhu Haomiao''s advice, Diao Chan launched a starry-eyed attack, pouting and frantically scratching the air with its little paws. "Squeak~" Pitiful, helpless, hungry.jpg Sighing helplessly, Zhu Haomiao could only feed the pet while continuing his meal. But thanks to Diao Chan''s interruption, the desire for [Gluttony] in his stomach seemed to disperse, making the discomfort fade. Another ten minutes passed, and the two across from him reluctantly put down their chopsticks, holding their round bellies with pained expressions, staring at the "elegantly" eating Zhu Haomiao with eyes full of envy and jealousy. "Hmm? What''s wrong? All full?" Noticing their gazes, Zhu Haomiao raised his eyes, curious. If you guys are full, then the rest is all mine! Ye Wan Ning slumped back in her chair, pouting pitifully, "My tummy is about to explode, but my mouth still wants to eat." "No matter how delicious the food is, we must know our limits and not overeat." With a slight smile, Zhu Haomiao commented meaningfully. Not noticing the deeper meaning in his words, Li Cang propped one hand on the table, curiously watching him. "Where did you learn to cook? This Sichuan cuisine is more authentic than the chefs back in my hometown! I''m tired of the sweet stir-fry pork here in the Imperial City!" Hearing Li Cang''s complaint, a light bulb went off in Zhu Haomiao''s mind as he captured something intriguing. "Your hometown is Shu''s?" "Yes, Jingguan City." Not understanding why he was so surprised, Li Cang nodded calmly. Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao sighed softly, gazing forlornly into the air. The mystery is solved... It''s a rotten country, full of zeros. I''ve heard that in Jingguan City, everything is crooked except the streetlights... Though the rumors might be exaggerated, but... Looking at Li Cang''s "full of charm" pretty face, Zhu Haomiao sighed once more, staring out the window with empty eyes. "Sigh~~" Such a charming person, too bad he''s gay~ Wait a minute, if he likes boys, doesn''t that mean I have a chance? No way! No matter how pretty or alluring, he''s still a guy! I don''t want a male sister!! As wild and irrelevant thoughts flew around his chaotic mind, Zhu Haomiao''s expression became ever-changing, spectacular in its variety. However, the bewildered Li Cang on the opposite side couldn''t make sense of his reaction and looked inquisitively at Ye Wan Ning. "What''s his deal?" Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s complex and conflicted gaze, Ye Wan Ning had a hint of understanding of the young man''s thoughts, holding back her mischievous smirk as her shoulders trembled slightly. "Maybe... he thought of something happy..." But seeing her friend''s reaction, with a suppressed mischievous smile, Li Cang''s eyes suddenly sharpened. "Did you tell him something strange?" "No!" "Don''t look away, look me in the eye!" "....." Watching Ye Wan Ning''s flickering gaze, Li Cang painfully held his forehead and couldn''t help but burst out in his hometown dialect. "I told you not to act crazy..." Chapter 107 - 107: Can It Be Cashed Out? "I didn''t go crazy!" "Then what exactly did you say?" "I just told him you are my best girlfriend!" "And what else?" "You like boys!" Suddenly realizing something, Li Cang slapped his own face and painfully pinched his brows. Although this woman speaks the truth, every word leads others astray! What kind of karma did I accumulate in my past life? How did I end up becoming friends with such a crazy woman in this life? If my reputation gets ruined in the future, it''ll all be this crazy woman''s fault! Thinking of this, Li Cang couldn''t help but grind his teeth at Ye Wan Ning angrily. "I''ll deal with you tonight!" Hearing these words, Ye Wan Ning trembled all over and without hesitation turned her head. "Shui, why don''t you stay at my place tonight!" "Huh?" Hearing someone calling him, Zhu Haomiao snapped out of his melancholic mood, blinked blankly, and happened to see Li Cang giving him a coquettish glare, making his heart skip a beat. Manly sister... seems not too bad... No, no! Shoo away temptation! Shoo away temptation! "Shui! Shui!" "Huh? What''s up?" "I''m saying, why don''t you stay at my place tonight!" "Huh? Why?" Because a bad guy is planning something tonight! Ye Wan Ning opened her mouth, glanced at Li Cang who was standing nearby with his arms folded and laughing coldly, and quickly came up with an idea. "You''ve cooked us such a feast, I must thank you!" "Uh..." Your way of thanking is letting someone stay overnight? Is there any chance of a midnight raid or a kiss? Probably not, in that case... Zhu Haomiao pondered seriously, analyzed carefully, and finally asked sincerely. "Sister, can it be cashed instead?" Ye Wan Ning almost choked on his words, and Li Cang couldn''t help but burst into laughter beside them. "Pfft~" Hearing his friend''s laugh, Ye Wan Ning glared at Zhu Haomiao angrily and embarrassed. "Stay one night, and I''ll give you ten thousand bucks!" *Swish~* The clear-eyed young man''s eyes sparkled brilliantly, and his expression instantly became solemn. "Sister, money isn''t really the main thing. I''m just compassionate and can''t bear to turn someone down..." However, Ye Wan Ning didn''t want to hear his excuses and gave him an annoyed look. "Shut up!" "Okay." Zhu Haomiao happily closed his mouth and continued to dig into the food, while Diao Chan was lying on her back like a balloon, still licking her lips. Across from them, the two watched Zhu Haomiao slowly but steadily continue eating. Clearly uncomfortable from being too full, they couldn''t help but feel a tinge of envy. "The Innate Food Bucket Saint Body, so envious! Why don''t I have such a talent?!" Ye Wan Ning rested her cheek on her hand, dreamily watching the boy feast, lamenting. Li Cang, on the other hand, crossed his arms and leaned against the chair, scrutinizing Zhu Haomiao with a peculiar look. At first, he thought oil was just hungry, to have such feelings for this kid... But now, it seems this crazy woman''s judgment is truly sharp... Even though he''s still quite immature in many ways, hints of his potential are beginning to unfold. In a trance, Li Cang thought of a raw jade encased in stubborn stone, with just a glimpse of its luster inspiring endless longing in people. If he fully grows up, maybe oil really found a good partner. But... this kid''s mental state is also worrying, occasionally going crazy... Wouldn''t it be a bit dangerous to have two crazies together? Across the table, noticing the peculiar looks from the two across, Zhu Haomiao blinked and casually changed the subject. "By the way, sister, can I ask if you know how to open the door?" Ye Wan Ning, resting her face with a hand, was slightly surprised and looked at him strangely. "Why suddenly ask this?" "Uh... just want to enrich my supernatural knowledge... seems like you can''t find related information online." Hearing this, Ye Wan Ning sat up straight, organized her thoughts, and then began to speak at a leisurely pace. "Actually, in this matter, countries have tacitly locked down the information to prevent private sects from spreading excessively, even causing Illusion Realm to invade reality, creating major supernatural disasters..." "However, you know the level of secrecy abroad, the once ''forbidden knowledge'' is now everywhere, anyone who pays can get it, let me give you a brief introduction." Pausing for a moment, Ye Wan Ning pondered before deciding to start from the root. "Since the ancient mythological era, the legends of various ''Cave Heaven Blessed Land'' and ''Small Worlds'' were actually the private Illusion Realms of religious sects." "Initially, some geniuses with exceptional spirituality happened to encounter a coupling of reality and Illusion Realm, accidentally entering and leaving spiritual anchors, thus connecting the Illusion Realm with reality." "But such passages are extremely fragile and require constant maintenance by the creator, causing mental stress every time someone passes through, limiting its use to a very small number of people." "This is also why, before Spiritual Energy Recovery, ordinary people, though exposed to various myths and legends, rarely saw anything firsthand." "For thousands of years, Extraordinary Power circulated in a very limited scope, requiring both bloodline and talent." "And after Spiritual Energy Recovery, the emergence of permanent Gates turned the once small pipeline-like passages into mighty rivers, leading to the large-scale development of Illusion Realms in the recent decades." "So, opening the door actually has two routes, one is the ''Private Sect'' or non-permanent Gates used in the early stages of development." "Mainly using a spiritual imprint as an anchor, with the transcendent as a bridge, creating a small-scale passage." "By the way, the Ascension Competition Illusion Realm you''re participating in now is at this stage." sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "And the advanced one is the large-scale permanent Gates, its principle is similar to what I explained last time about the Anchor of Faith." "Using the faith recognition of native intelligent beings in Illusion Realm as an anchor, supplemented by replicas of the ''Gate of Thousand Realms'' from the real world, the same doorframe you pass through every time at Boundary Pass, thoroughly connects the Illusion and reality barrier..." "But the principle is quite complex, I haven''t specifically studied it, I can only give an overview, just listen casually." Listening to Ye Wan Ning''s slow narration, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a long time, carefully sensing the faint links of faith in the void, formulating an idea. With faith in Illusion Realm as the anchor and using the authority of the Book of Black, it seems he already meets the conditions to open the door. Next time he enters the Illusion Realm, he can give it a try... Pondering his inner plan, Zhu Haomiao nodded and polished off the remaining leftovers. [Resisting Gluttony, Dao Heart +1] Chapter 108 - 108: Thats a Different Price! Late at night In the cozy and elegant bedroom, Ye Wan Ning was pinned on the bed by Li Cang, her hands twisted behind her back, struggling like a caterpillar. "Let go of me! Or I''ll scream!!" Pressing her back with his knee, Li Cang gave a malicious smile. "Have you forgotten about the anti-peeping spell array you set up in this villa? Scream all you want! Even if you scream your lungs out, no one outside will hear!" "Don''t go too far! Shui is still downstairs!" It was better not to mention this. Mentioning it only made Li Cang angrier, and he slapped Ye Wan Ning''s butt hard, causing ripples to spread. "Ow~" "Do you admit you''re wrong?!" "I admit it! But I''ll do it again next time!" Seeing Ye Wan Ning sticking her neck out defiantly, a mix of cowardice and fierceness on her face, Li Cang felt his temple throbbing. "Spreading rumors all day! You''ll be fully responsible if I can''t get married in the future!" "If I have to be responsible, then I will! I''ll marry you!" Hearing this, Li Cang was so angry he laughed. "You''re a girl, how are you going to marry me?!" "It''s the 21st century, just find a country that allows same-sex marriage..." Before Li Cang could react, Ye Wan Ning added. "Oh, and you''re responsible for the bride price, at least 380,000~" "..." Not expecting her to still be joking at a time like this, Li Cang remained silent for a long time, blue veins popping on his forehead, and finally burst out with a classic curse. "Fuck!!!!!!!!!" Smack smack smack~ "Ah! Stop hitting! If it really doesn''t work out, I''ll let Shui marry you!" "Huh???" "We agreed to share blessings and hardships. You see, I''ve even shared half of my little white mouse experiments with you, aren''t I a great friend?!" Seeing Ye Wan Ning with a righteous demeanor, Li Cang was completely baffled. He always knew this woman was crazy, but never thought her illness was this severe! This nonsense can even be split in half? "If you''re hungry and eat carelessly, that''s your business, don''t drag me into it!" Hearing Li Cang''s cold response, Ye Wan Ning gave a sly smile. "Don''t think I didn''t notice, you had a moment of heart flutter this afternoon!" As if his secret was exposed, a hint of shame and anger surfaced in Li Cang''s cold eyes, gritting his teeth. "I did not!" "Cangcang, you know my sensing abilities, they can''t be wrong~" "..." After a long silence, Li Cang retorted angrily. "I said no means no!" "There''s no one else here, you might as well open your heart. Then I''ll be the main wife, and you can be the concubine, living happily as a family of three, wouldn''t that be nice?" "Oh, by the way, being a concubine requires a dowry, at least 380,000~" After a deathly silence, Li Cang erupted in silence, grabbing the nearby pillow and pressing it against Ye Wan Ning''s face. "Go die!" "Mmm mmm mmm~~" Bang bang bang~ S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. There was a loud banging from the ceiling. Zhu Haomiao, who was cuddling a mink before sleep, leaned against the headboard, his lower body covered with a blanket, and looked up, frowning in confusion. What are those two doing upstairs? Demolishing the place? His hands stopped, and the mink in his arms, not feeling its master''s caress, whimpered and nudged him. "Chirp~" Pet me! Pet me! Pet me now! Redirected by his pet, Zhu Haomiao resumed petting the mink while gossiping about the commotion upstairs. But he wondered if the soundproofing was too good, as he could only hear muffled banging, like someone desperately struggling. Soon, the noise upstairs quieted down, and just as Zhu Haomiao thought everything had ended, the door to his bedroom suddenly swung open. Wearing pajamas with messy hair, Ye Wan Ning burst in, eyes darting around frantically until she fixed her gaze on the bedding below him. "Master Sister, you..." A bad feeling rose in his heart, but before he could ask the reason, Ye Wan Ning lifted the corner of the bedspread and expertly slipped in. "..." Don''t do this, I''m not that kind of person... At least not for ten thousand bucks! That''s a different price! There need to be more money! Feeling Zhu Haomiao''s struggles, Ye Wan Ning pressed her face against his lower abdomen, trying to blend with his lower body, gently pinching him. "Save me! Don''t let Cangcang find out!" "I can''t, I..." "Ten thousand bucks!" Face turned serious, Zhu Haomiao instantly steadied, patting his chest. "You can count on me!" Though he didn''t understand what was going on, as long as you pay, everything is negotiable! Adjusting the contours of the blanket to make the bed appear as if it only had him, he barely calmed his breathing when the bedroom door was swung open again. A gaze as cold as the icy winds from the Extreme North swept through the room, and Li Cang, wearing cotton hot pants with long legs dazzlingly pale, entered, looking around like a hawk. "Have you seen Ye Wan Ning?" "Huh?" His attention fully captured by those glowing white legs, it took Zhu Haomiao two seconds to react, hurriedly shaking his head. "No... haven''t seen..." Suspiciously staring into Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, noticing his gaze drifting uncontrollably to her legs, Li Cang rolled her eyes at him. Little lecher! Who''d be smitten by this small fry?! All blame lies with that crazy woman Ye Wan Ning spreading rumors! I''d rather starve, die outside than eat this pig slop! After another sweep of the room with no anomaly found, Li Cang half-heartedly closed the door and left. As soon as he left, Ye Wan Ning quickly poked her head out from under the blanket, sighing in relief. "Master..." "Shh!" Stopping Zhu Haomiao, Ye Wan Ning raised her hand and drew a rune in the air, conjuring a mysterious symbol out of thin air. Then, the translucent blue rune suddenly expanded, colliding with the surrounding walls, floor, and ceiling, dispersing like water waves, finally connecting to form a closed square barrier. As the barrier fully formed, Ye Wan Ning''s tense body gradually relaxed, exhaling a long breath. "Master Sister, what exactly is happening with you two?" Just now, Li Cang''s aura felt murderous! And in Zhu Haomiao''s acquaintance with the two, the usually calm Li Cang seldom exhibited such intense emotional fluctuations. It''s likely this madcap Master Sister is stirring up trouble again... Staring at the bright, watery eyes in his arms, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized their pose was a bit intimate. Amitabha Buddha, lust is emptiness, emptiness is lust! Silently reciting the Heart Clarity Spell, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, diverting his focus with effort, preventing the Book of Black from giving him a chilling warning. On the other hand, seemingly oblivious to how her actions tested human nature, Ye Wan Ning squirmed out from under the covers, sat beside the boy on the bed, and complained with grievance. "I don''t know either, I only told Cangcang we''d share the blessings, and he got mad." Zhu Haomiao: "..." Chapter 109 - 109: I Have to Make Her Pay More! Without the Q-bouncy pressure that nearly crushed his Dao Heart, Zhu Haomiao let out a long sigh of relief, only to feel a wave of melancholic loss immediately after. Recovering from the brief loss, Zhu Haomiao turned his gaze back to Ye Wan Ning suspiciously, not quite trusting her words. As their relationship deepened, he''d come to understand this senior sister''s character to some extent. In front of strangers, she''s cold and aloof, but the closer the relationship, the more she reveals her true nature¡ªmentally unstable, mischievous, and eccentric, as if she''s seriously ill! S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And given her level of familiarity with Li Cang, Zhu Haomiao dared not imagine what she might do! To break through the defenses of someone like Li Cang, she''s likely really poked at his sore spot... Narrowing his eyes, he noticed Ye Wan Ning awkwardly avoid his gaze, pretending to look at the scenery, further confirming that she was up to something. "Senior sister, you... sigh... never mind, what do you plan to do next?" Though he originally wanted to offer advice, without knowing the details of the situation, Zhu Haomiao could only change the subject and subtly suggest that she leave. You should leave, my LV.2 Dao Heart really can''t take it... With his nostrils filled with sweet tempting fragrance, Zhu Haomiao stared into the void, gathering his Essence and guarding his True Qi, frantically suppressing the desires itching in his heart. On the other hand, Ye Wan Ning seemed not to grasp Zhu Haomiao''s hint and gnawed on her finger, talking to herself. "Right now, Cangcang is definitely looking everywhere for me. Going out would mean walking into a trap. No way! I have no choice but to sleep here tonight!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao sprang up as if electrocuted. "No way!" Is this how you test an official? Which official can withstand such a test?!! However, Ye Wan Ning merely shot him an annoyed glance and casually uttered a few words. "Ten thousand dollars." Like a heavy hammer to his chest, Zhu Haomiao paused, spiraling into a battle of the Heaven and Earth. But after a few seconds of torment, he made a difficult decision. "Senior sister, I''m not that kind of person..." When a man and woman are alone in a room, if nothing happens, it''s unnatural; if something happens, it''s disgraceful! No matter what, it''s wrong! "A hundred thousand dollars." Facing Ye Wan Ning''s casual increase in the offer, Zhu Haomiao''s inner turmoil and pain vanished instantly, and he turned around, tightly grasping her soft hand, solemnly meeting her gaze with eyes firm enough to join a party. "Senior sister, don''t treat me like a person." Staring blankly at Zhu Haomiao''s "resolute and decisive" look, it took Ye Wan Ning over ten seconds to react, suppressing a twitching mouth with all her strength. "Oh, just as I like hugging something while sleeping, you''ll be my pillow tonight." "No problem!" Zhu Haomiao patted his chest and vowed righteously. A hundred thousand dollars! That''s not just some fantasy realm silver, but hard currency in the real world! I''d be more than willing to be a pillow, and I''d even lick Li Cang''s thigh if you asked! "By the way, no touching and no thinking about Se Se stuff, okay?" Ye Wan Ning looked at Zhu Haomiao with amusement, her charming eyes filled with mischief. "Rest assured, I''m known for my excellent service!" Greed outweighed Lust, and Zhu Haomiao gave a thumbs up, his white teeth reflecting a subtle glow under the light, somehow exuding a clumsy vibe. "Pfft~" Ye Wan Ning couldn''t help but laugh, rolling her eyes at him. Her coquettish gaze could turn steel into soft silk, instantly shaking Zhu Haomiao''s firm resolve. Only then did he realize what he''d agreed to. Wait... I can control my hands and feet, but Se Se has a mind of its own! Besides... Stealing a glance at Ye Wan Ning, his previously level gaze was drawn downward by the despicable force of gravity, inadvertently lingering on the barely concealed, ample fullness and the unfathomable deep canyon beneath her disheveled buttons. Hiss~ How could I possibly withstand this? In an instant, Zhu Haomiao took a sharp breath, realizing the gravity of the situation. This woman is terrifying, tonight I''m doomed! No, I need to make her pay more! But before Zhu Haomiao could speak, Ye Wan Ning retreated back to bed, patting the sheet beside her. "Come over, let big sister hug you." "Senior sister, wait..." Without waiting for him to finish, Ye Wan Ning pulled Zhu Haomiao into her embrace, burying her head into the crook of his neck, taking in a deep breath. "Shui, you smell so lovely~" warm moist breath on his skin sent goosebumps across him, leaving Zhu Haomiao rigid, too scared to move, as nonsensical thoughts chaotically bounced in his mind. I''m the fish! She''s the cook! What if she starts doing unmentionable things to me? Should I comply? Or comply? Or comply? Blast it! I''ve been evil throughout my life, so I deserve this blessing! Wait, no, it''s all this demon woman''s fault, I''m just the fragile young man being tormented, I''m innocent! Don''t deduct from my Dao Heart! With a heart full of hope, anxiety, and unease, Zhu Haomiao waited for ten minutes, then found that the breathing next to him grew steadier, turning his head in disbelief. What greeted him was an exquisitely beautiful sleeping face, flawlessly perfect from every angle¡ªeven at this distance, devoid of any imperfections. Instead, it bore a purity absent in waking moments, invoking an irresistible tenderness. With twitching brows, Zhu Haomiao turned back, gazing blankly at the ceiling. She actually fell asleep hugging me?!! I was all prepared for some defilement, and you decide to play it straight?!! Is it that my thoughts are too dirty, or hers are too pure? Shouldn''t I teach her some of the lurking dangers in the world? Turning once more to look at Ye Wan Ning beside him, her sweet serene sleeping countenance was like an angel in a painting, too precious to disturb. Admiring at this close distance, Zhu Haomiao''s restless desires faded away, replaced by a soft warmth and contentment. "My pants are off, and you''re sleeping?" Zhu Haomiao reached out, lightly poking the elastic cheek twice, muttering irritably. After staring for a while, the young man smacked his lips, sighed slightly in resignation, closed his eyes, and slowly drifted into slumber, leaving behind a soft murmur. "Asleep, she''s cuter than when awake..." ............ The next morning, with slightly messy hair, Li Cang stepped out of the elevator, immediately seeing the refreshed Ye Wan Ning joyfully having breakfast. "Morning, Cangcang~" Looking at the seemingly nonchalant madwoman calmly greeting him, Li Cang''s eyes glinted coldly. Then, glancing at Zhu Haomiao, busy in the kitchen, he managed to hold back his outburst. Chapter 110 - 110: Brother Li, you are really a good person "Shui made century egg and lean pork congee and buns, super delicious, come quickly." Inviting Li Cang to sit down, Ye Wan Ning flatteringly served him breakfast. Looking at the other''s mischievous sparkle-eyed act, Li Cang scoffed and pulled away. "You''re bewitching!" But after Ye Wan Ning skillfully diverted the topic, any remaining anger in Li Cang''s heart completely disappeared, leaving him utterly unable to stay mad. And after tasting a bite of the century egg and lean pork congee made by Zhu Haomiao, the incredibly delicious flavor seeped into his soul, with a gentle warmth flowing through his being, leaving a lingering happiness and satisfaction that involuntarily curled Li Cang''s lips, dispelling his temper further. It really is delicious¡­ That little glutton is quite the cook... Subconsciously glancing at the young figure busy in the kitchen nearby, the earnest side profile with a maturity mismatched to his age, Li Cang''s mind involuntarily recalled Ye Wan Ning''s words from last night, making his heart skip a beat as he awkwardly looked away. On the other side, keenly aware of his friend''s subtle emotional change, Ye Wan Ning turned into the grinning Dragon King, laughing sneakily. "The buns are ready." A large steaming plate of meat buns was placed on the table, instantly capturing everyone''s attention. Having devoured a big bowl of century egg and lean pork congee, the stoat dipped its head in disbelief, looking at its round belly, then at the juicy, oil-dripping big meat bun, uttering a sorrowful wail. "Squeak!!!" "I told you there were goodies, and you didn''t listen. Now you''re too full, right?" Zhu Haomiao teasingly patted the stoat''s head, and the next moment saw it grabbing a bun bigger than its head, forcibly stuffing it into its cheek. "......" Damn, planning to pocket the leftovers if it can''t finish, huh? Stopping the stoat''s greedy sin, Zhu Haomiao sat down to taste his handiwork, nodding in satisfaction, casually placing a meat bun into Ye Wan Ning''s bowl. On the other side, seeing the two sitting together naturally, chatting and laughing, Li Cang squinted slightly, sensing a subtle change in the atmosphere between them. They seemed to be closer, with a faint hint of romance! "Where did you go last night?" Unable to resist asking the question eating at his heart, Li Cang opened his mouth. The sudden inquiry made Zhu Haomiao stiffen all over, while Ye Wan Ning on the side remained oblivious. "I went to an outside hotel and spent the night." "Really?" "Of course, every time we argue, you turn the house upside down. Only a fool would stay and get caught by you." Seeing Ye Wan Ning''s gleeful look, Li Cang pursed his lips in annoyance. "Tsk~" Seeing Li Cang continue to eat silently, Zhu Haomiao leaned over to Ye Wan Ning''s ear, whispering. "Did he just believe that?" "Don''t worry, Cangcang is easy to fool, plus he''s a bit naive. Even if you anger him, just don''t get caught in the act, and after a while, he''ll cool off." "......" Listening to his senior sister''s whispered words, Zhu Haomiao looked at Li Cang''s handsome, aggressive face with indescribable frustration. Wasn''t he supposed to be a high and cold ice beauty? How could he be a naive fool? This is quite a contradiction¡­ "What''s wrong?" Noticing Zhu Haomiao''s gaze, Li Cang raised his head in confusion. "Nothing... just thinking you''re surprisingly nice, Brother Li~" "???" Looking at the puzzled Li Cang tilting his head, Zhu Haomiao seemingly felt the fun Ye Wan Ning had in teasing him, an involuntary smirk tugging at his lips. Although not quite sure what''s happening, Li Cang instinctively felt something amiss, glaring fiercely at Ye Wan Ning. "???" Mid-bite, Ye Wan Ning''s smile froze: "Why are you glaring at me?" Li Cang just squinted expressionlessly, letting out a faint cold laugh. "Though I''m not sure what''s precisely transpired, I''m certain you''re up to no good!" Feeling utterly wronged, Ye Wan Ning immediately retracted, shrinking his neck, and pouting pitiably. "I didn''t..." "No need to argue, do I not know you? Eat up! We''re heading to the Illusion Realm soon!" "Alright." Seeing them both quicken their eating pace, Zhu Haomiao eyed the time, reluctantly looking at Ye Wan Ning. "Senior sister¡­" "What, can''t bear to part with me?" Sensing the young man''s emotion, Ye Wan Ning threw him a sultry glance, teasingly joked. Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao shook his head, bashfully meeting her eyes with a blend of shyness and anticipation. "No, I just wanted to ask when the balance from yesterday would be settled?" Ye Wan Ning''s charming smile instantly froze, the sparkling allure in her eyes gradually turning cold, as the curve at her lips vanished bit by bit. But the smile wouldn''t die out, only be transferred, on the other side, Li Cang''s lips were curling madly upward, shoulders convulsing slightly until he couldn''t hold back, bursting into laughter. "Hahahahaha~" Under his friend''s unabashed laughter, Ye Wan Ning flushed with anger, pinching Zhu Haomiao''s waistside soft flesh with a cruel twist, causing his eyes to bulge in pain. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Grinding her teeth, Ye Wan Ning stared into Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, squeezing her words through gritted teeth. "I''ll! Settle! The! Bill! Later!" "Ugh~ I''m... it''s not really... that urgent..." "No! You''re very urgent! You''re the urgent Urgent King!!!!" "......" Thump thump thump~ After giving Zhu Haomiao three or four hard kicks under the table, Ye Wan Ning slammed the table and marched angrily towards the elevator. "Oil, you''re not done eating yet!" "Not eating, I''m full from anger, let that pig eat it!" Watching his friend storm off into the elevator, Li Cang glanced back at the "pig" rubbing his aching sides and couldn''t help but chuckle. These two nutcases are a perfect match in some twisted way¡­ Shaking his head with a smile, Li Cang continued his refined eating, soon feeling a satisfied fullness, placing his chopsticks down, he gazed enviously at Zhu Haomiao. He can create supernatural-level dishes and enjoy them almost endlessly; even I sometimes can''t help but feel jealous... Noticing Li Cang propping his face with one hand, half-smilingly watching him, Zhu Haomiao paused his chewing, blinking in confusion. What''s going on with Brother Li? Could he possibly have taken a liking to me? But I''m really straight! Not into male sisters! After hesitating for a moment, Zhu Haomiao scrambled to change the topic. "By the way, Brother Li, you''re entering the Illusion Realm today, when will you come back?" "Uh... depends, Wan Ning and I have similar Dao Heart strength, usually entering the Illusion Realm for 1 to 2 weeks, then returning to reality for a 5, 6-day break." One to two weeks? Zhu Haomiao''s eyelid twitched slightly, recalling his own maximum endurance of two days, pursing his lips with unspeakable emotion. Chapter 111 - 111: Open the Door Knowing these two people are strong, I didn''t expect even their Dao Heart to be so formidable! This really puts a lot of pressure on me! In case you two have any ill intentions towards me, would I be completely powerless, left to your whims? Seeing the young man frowning slightly with a worried expression, Li Cang tilted his head in confusion, unsure of what this guy was inexplicably fretting about. Forget it, it''s impossible for a normal person to keep up with a lunatic''s thoughts, better not to seek trouble¡­ With a sigh of relief, Li Cang suddenly remembered something, glanced at the fridge, and asked. "Did you finish the ingredients that oil bought yesterday?" "There''s still a little left." "Then you can stay here today, finish the food before leaving, otherwise it''ll go bad by the time we come back next." "Huh? Isn''t that a bit impolite?" The host is leaving soon, and I''m a guest taking over like this? "Or you can take it back with you. By the way, can you cook in your dorm?" "Uh¡­ no." "Ah¡­ If you don''t eat it, then I''ll have to let oil eat it raw." "Huh??!!!!" Just changed into fresh clothes and stepped out of the elevator, hearing this comment, Ye Wan Ning gasped, her previously simmering anger dissolving into a pitiable gaze, flashing her starry eyes beseechingly at Zhu Haomiao. Please, this guy really might make me eat it raw! Receiving his senior sister''s plea, Zhu Haomiao reluctantly nodded. "Alright then¡­" Ye Wan Ning looked deeply touched: "Thank you, Shui, I won''t call you a pig anymore." "Thank you very much, no need to thank me next time." "Then I''ll call you Little Zhuzhu~" "..." Listening to the bizarre conversation between these two, Li Cang couldn''t help but smile, his handsome features softening into a captivating charm, his crescent-moon eyes carrying a seductive allure, making Zhu Haomiao''s heart pound. Maybe a guy like him isn''t bad, people should have the spirit to try bold things! *Hiss*~ Wait, no! Realizing his wavering thoughts, Zhu Haomiao quickly turned to look at Ye Wan Ning, staring intently at her chest for a few seconds before finally letting out a long sigh of relief. Lucky, lucky, I''ll always prefer big chests¡­ It''s not me who''s the problem, it''s Brother Li who''s off! "Thank you for your hard work." On the other side, placing his plate into the dishwasher, Li Cang casually patted Zhu Haomiao on the shoulder as he passed by, drifting away with a faint ethereal fragrance. Different from Ye Wan Ning''s rich sweetness, Li Cang''s scent was cool and elegant, like cedar in a frozen land, the faint woody aroma only detectable when very close, vanishing in an instant. Bro, you smell so good¡­ Gazing idiotically at Li Cang''s graceful and slender back, Zhu Haomiao felt waves of emotions, suddenly coming back to his senses, gasping. This guy is terrifying! He could disrupt my Dao Heart! No, it''s too dangerous, I need to ask my senior sister for more money! "Hmm??!" Beside him, Ye Wan Ning perked up her head, glancing around in confusion, her mind filled with questions. Did something just happen? With a sudden thought¡­ Scratching her head without any breakthrough, Ye Wan Ning finally rested her gaze on the two remaining buns on the table, lightly licking her lips. "Oil, let''s go." "Coming~" Under Diao Chan''s despairing gaze, Ye Wan Ning picked up the last two buns it was longing for, then suddenly thought of something and returned halfway. "mua~" sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Leaving a pink lip mark on Zhu Haomiao''s cheek, with the young man looking dumbfounded, Ye Wan Ning smiled softly and floated away. "Paid in full, debt cleared~" "???!!" Watching helplessly as Ye Wan Ning closed the door and left, Zhu Haomiao touched his kissed cheek, savoring the warm and soft feel on his skin, finally realizing what happened as his pupils shrank sharply! Wait a minute! Was I just taken advantage of?!! Your lips are made of gold? Kissing once costs 120,000?!! 120,000! That''s 120,000! I''m calling the police! Black-hearted witch, give me back my hard-earned money!! Grinding his teeth for a long time, Zhu Haomiao slumped back in his seat, staring blankly at the ceiling, tears welling up. Even construction workers don''t have their wages withheld these days!!! Ye Wan Ning you''re terrible! You have no heart! You''re not human! After silently cursing for a long time, Zhu Haomiao composed himself, looking at Diao Chan who was pawing at an empty plate with tear-filled eyes. "Diao Chan, I got taken advantage of." "Ji~" "From now on, help me bite her¡ªno, help me steal her money!" "Ji ji~~" "Once successful, I''ll make you the imperial guard with a sword!" "Ji?" ............ After spending a dull and monotonous day in the luxurious villa, Zhu Haomiao welcomed his own "workday." But this time, he didn''t go to the Boundary Pass, but stood in front of the bathroom door in the guest room suite, eyes closed, concentrating. Patiently sensing the faintly existing links of faith, Zhu Haomiao finally captured the beacon of faith in the boundless void after an unknown amount of time. Suddenly opening his eyes, Zhu Haomiao activated the authority of the Book of Black, divinity penetrating the boundary between illusion and reality, creating an unseen, intangible mysterious "tunnel." Taking a deep breath, the young man pushed open the symbolic gate, presented with a swirling, undulating chaotic membrane containing all colors. Looking at the identical anomaly in the Boundary Pass Gate, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but smile, stepping forward, diving into the chaotic membrane, instantly vanishing from the real world. The next second, within the luxurious underground bedroom in the Illusion Realm, the long-slumbering youth slowly opened his eyes. A surge of sinister black light flashed in his pupils, sending out subtle waves through the underground space, undetectable by mortals, trembling as if trembling at his awakening. Took a while to fully wake up, Zhu Haomiao eagerly looked at the Book of Black. Stacked Waves Strength: LV.4 (Small Success¡¤Bottleneck) ¡ú LV.5 (Great Success) Strength +5 Body +3 Strange virtual memories flowed into his mind, as Zhu Haomiao clenched his fist and activated Stacked Waves Strength, inner qi and blood roaring through his veins, surging power explosively emanating from within, the sealed basement echoing with the faint sound of crashing waves. This feeling¡­ It seems like it truly has a hint of nature''s might¡­ Carefully experiencing the Stacked Waves Strength after reaching Great Success, Zhu Haomiao rose to loosen his limbs, practicing an unremarkable set of Tai Chi Boxing, finding that every move and gesture carried a hint of mysterious law might. The surging power was relentless like a tide, one wave after another, seemingly never-ending! Just by considering things from this perspective, a vision of the enemy''s desperate expression appeared in Zhu Haomiao''s mind. Faced with this one wave stronger than the last, an overwhelming tsunami-like onslaught, a Transcendent with a weaker Dao Heart would truly feel powerless, inevitably leading to despair. Chapter 112 - 112: Why Did You Come In Too? At this stage, the terror of Basic Force gradually began to manifest. However, this is not the strongest realm of the Stacked Waves Strength... With a thought, Zhu Haomiao took stock of his greed coins and discovered that in the sacrificial ritual before returning, each sacrifice contributed three to five coins at least, and up to a dozen at most. Even after various refunds and expenditures, nearly a hundred coins remained! Unfortunately, such sacrificial rituals can''t be held too frequently; otherwise, once exposed, the whole world would become enemies! After all, the scenes from the sacrificial ritual are a bit too avant-garde for the aesthetics of people in this era... Sigh... The world sees only my sinister methods, not knowing that they come from my Buddha''s heart... Keeping those scumbags would only make the world''s grain expensive! I''m eliminating harm for the people! With a sigh of not being understood by the world, Zhu Haomiao casually made a grabbing gesture, and a heavy, dark book materialized instantly in his hand, opening automatically. The next second, a steady stream of greed coins fell from thin air, like a golden stream flowing from the void, gently landing on the pages of the Book of Black, creating ripples of law like water waves. After investing more than twenty greed coins, the records on the Book of Black began to change. Stacked Waves Strength: LV.5 (Great Success¡¤Bottleneck) The next moment, decades of virtual memories flooded his mind like a deluge, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils slowly dilated, staring blankly into space, standing motionless. It took over ten minutes for the vast memory to gradually be classified and digested. Zhu Haomiao regained his senses, rubbed his temples, and exhaled a long breath of foul air. The difficulty of Basic Force increases exponentially with each layer. The deeper the high realm, the more it tests talent and comprehension. With my Mortal Destiny and average comprehension, without greed''s Krypton Gold, without Sloth''s Pupation, any random cultivation technique might take a lifetime of effort to study and cultivate... Fortunately... Looking at the ancient, mysterious Book of Black in his palm, Zhu Haomiao allowed a smile of comfort to form. Pa~ His five fingers closed, and the open Book of Black instantly shut, transforming into a stream of light that absorbed into his palm. Stretching lazily, Zhu Haomiao did not rush to enter pupation again to break through the sixth layer of Stacked Waves Strength but instead assessed his current state. God: 12 (6) ¡ü Dexterity: 14 (5) ¡ü Strength: 16 (13) ¡ü Essence: 16 (5) ¡ü Qi: 15 (9) ¡ü Body: 16 (7) ¡ü During the time of my return, the six-dimensional attributes all digested two points, but as Stacked Waves Strength broke through the fifth layer, the accumulated attribute rose again. The digestion doesn''t catch up with the pace of growth; it''s really annoying... Pressing his lips together, Zhu Haomiao, in a somewhat Versailles manner, sighed, suddenly feeling a wriggle in his pocket. Out of habit, he pulled out a snow-white marten from his pocket. The curve of the youth''s lips slowly disappeared, and he found himself locking eyes, big and small, with the pet who had just woken up. "Ji~~" Diao Chan yawned, licked its little mouth, and curiously looked around. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao thought carefully, analyzing seriously, his handsome features gradually furrowing. No... how did you come too? Even if entering the Illusion Realm through the same Gate, you should have descended elsewhere!! Unless there''s some kind of binding linkage with a True Object... Stroking the pet''s fur, rubbing its little belly, feeling the unreal softness and fluffiness, Zhu Haomiao dismissed the idea that he was hallucinating. But no matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn''t understand how Diao Chan ended up in the Illusion Realm with him. "Ji~" However, the carefree little silly marten didn''t have so many worries, jumping out of the youth''s arms and darting around the room like a streak of pure white lightning, sniffing here and scratching there. Noticing Diao Chan''s strength and speed were much greater than in reality, Zhu Haomiao thoughtfully squinted his eyes and beckoned to it. "Come here~" "Ji~" In a flash, the marten scampered onto the youth''s shoulder, licking his cheek and skillfully burrowing into his jacket, only leaving its little head out to keep a wary eye on the surroundings. "Although death in the Illusion Realm isn''t real, you should still be cautious, don''t show your head casually, or you''ll be done instantly!" "Ji?" Using his chin to nudge the pet''s head back into his clothes, Zhu Haomiao sorted out his emotions, opened the heavy bronze gate. Ka ka ka ka ka ka~ Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The complex mechanism''s operation sounded, heavy bangs reverberating through the deep, dark tunnel, layers of distant and deep echoes overlapping with a hint of eerie sinister, as if the Gate of Hell was slowly opening. Traversing the dark, complex labyrinth, Zhu Haomiao exited his "sleeping tomb" from a concealed exit, heading straight to Xinghua House inside Shanghai. After this period of deep sleep, the stock in his stomach had been completely digested, urgently needing nutritional replenishment. After dozens of minutes, the youth arrived familiarly at Xinghua House, noticed by the waiter from afar at the entrance. "Honored guest at the door, Mr. Zhu, it''s been a long time since you visited, please come in! Please enter!" Nodding and bowing as he led Zhu Haomiao inside, the waiter was about to take him to a private room upstairs when he suddenly noticed the youth stopping and looking toward a certain direction in the hall. At the end of Zhu Haomiao''s gaze, several spirited young men and women were chatting and laughing, and memories of his first arrival in Shanghai surged into his mind. "Brother Rong!" An Rong, who was drinking, paused, looking at the handsome youth before him, slowly furrowing his brows, glancing him up and down, and not very confidently tentatively asked. "Little Zhu?" Zhu Haomiao smiled and nodded. "It''s only been a little over a year, and you don''t recognize me?" An Rong slowly widened his eyes: "Damn, did you go get cosmetic surgery?!" Only then did several of An Rong''s friends recognize this Black Iron novice they had met a year ago and warmly invited him to join them. "Damn, you''ve changed so much; if you hadn''t greeted us first, I wouldn''t have recognized you!" Pulling Zhu Haomiao to sit beside him, An Rong looked him up and down, clicking his tongue in amazement. He still remembered that a year ago, this kid''s looks were at best handsome... But now, he looked like a protagonist straight out of a comic book, so stunningly handsome it was as if he had turned on a beauty filter, perfect to the point of being a bit unreal! At this moment, one of the friends at the table suddenly noticed the Dragon Emblem on Zhu Haomiao''s chest, and his eyebrows jumped. "Brother! You''ve advanced to Silver?!" With his mention, everyone noticed the Silver Dragon Badge on Zhu Haomiao''s chest, exchanging shocked looks and whispering in voices as soft as a mosquito''s. "If I remember correctly, a year ago, he was still Black Iron..." "Back then, I thought he might be a second-generation just gilding..." Chapter 113 - 113: Native Behavior, Do Not Escalate to Descender "Damn it, jumping two levels in a year, even God''s Destiny isn''t this outrageous, right?" "Growing so rapidly is one thing, but he''s also so handsome, I really feel a bit uncomfortable..." ... Noticing the blatant envy in the crowd, Zhu Haomiao shyly smiled and humbly said, "Just a little progress, compared to all the senior brothers and sisters, I''m still far behind." "..." "..." "..." Though everyone knew Zhu Haomiao was speaking the truth, in the face of the uniform Golden Dragon Emblems, he really was still behind. Yet somehow, everyone felt a discomfort as if they were being invisibly flaunted upon by him. A year to reach silver, this is just a little progress?! S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Then in two years, to what extent do you plan to progress? To heaven? Do you know how many years it took us to get here, and how much we suffered?! With a smack of their lips, the crowd felt a wave of bitterness and couldn''t help exchanging glances, transforming their sorrow and anger into amounts of alcohol, exchanging toasts. And with the four-dimensional stomach granted by the authority of Gluttony, Zhu Haomiao welcomed all comers, drinking along with them. His hearty attitude broke the subtle jealousy barrier, instead increasing goodwill among the group. Apart from the invisible flaunting that made people uncomfortable, this guy is quite agreeable... Sometimes getting closer to people is just that simple, after downing a large amount of wine, everyone at the table was already red-faced, starting to call each other brothers. "Brother Shui, do you know what day it is in a few months?" "Brother Rong, my name is haomiao, as in the vast expanse." "I got it, Brother Shui, no problem Brother Shui!" "..." Watching the already tongue-tied An Rong, Zhu Haomiao found it hard to express himself, hesitated to speak, and finally gave up on correcting, quietly changing the topic. Forget it, call me whatever you like... "So, what''s the special occasion in a few months?" "Hehe~~" An Rong gave a mischievous smile, put his arm around Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder, and slowly uttered two words. "Jiawu!" With his pupils slightly contracting, Zhu Haomiao instantly understood, staring at An Rong with narrowed eyes. "Jiawu?" "That''s right! Jiawu!" After hearing this, everyone at the table exchanged knowing glances and smiled knowingly. Without needing any words, everyone raised their glasses and clinked them forcefully in the lively atmosphere. "Jiawu!" "Jiawu!" "Hahahahahahaha!" In eager excitement, everyone drank their fine wine to the last drop, not noticing a few crew-cutted men in Xue Lanfu uniforms across at the table, exchanging confused looks. "What are these Chinese laughing about?" "Yeah, what''s so funny?" "Don''t know, is Jiawu a special year?" ... After a murmur of discussion, they focused their gaze on a young man at the table. "Tazaki-kun, you come from a knowledgeable family, well-versed in many things, do you know what they''re laughing about?" Drenched in sweat, Tazaki Yuusuke wiped the fine sweat on his forehead, discreetly removed the Silver Family Crest from his chest, stowed it in his pocket, and forced a dry smile. "I don''t know, maybe some local special commemoration day..." How could I not know! The Sino-Japanese Jiawu War! These petty guys have held a grudge for over a hundred years!! Constantly replaying and studying it, always thinking about exacting revenge! Especially in these modern historical illusion realms, each time their memories are stirred, it''s a battle that can be lost, but the Japanese must die! The only thing to be relieved about is that the current illusion realm isn''t the WWII timeline, and the major powers like Britain, the U.S., and France are taking the brunt upfront, preventing the full focus of their firepower on us alone... Sighing deeply, Tazaki Yuusuke subtly glanced over at the same table adorned with those glaring golden Dragon Emblems, wiping off cold sweat again, swallowing a gulp of saliva. It''s a local behavior, please don''t escalate it to the level of descenders! Slaughtering contestants is inhumane, holding grudges is not acceptable either! ............ "Hic~" Letting out a small burp, Zhu Haomiao strolled alone along the Bund''s pedestrian path, with his mind replaying snippets of idle chatter with An Rong. In the past year, An Rong and his friends traveled around the world in search of True Objects, only recently returning to Shanghai to participate in the second phase of the schedule. And once they acquire enough points, they will start the next round of treasure-hunting adventures non-stop, until some point next year when they''ll regroup to stir up some major news. Indeed... To these old hands, the Ascension Competition itself doesn''t have a high priority, at least in the early open schedule phase, their focus will be on searching for True Objects and honing their strength... Should I learn from them and travel around searching for opportunities? After pondering for a moment, Zhu Haomiao subtly shook his head. Normal people need a long time to learn cultivation techniques and break through bottlenecks, so they can travel around slowly looking for opportunities. But I can rely on greed and Sloth to skip the intermediate steps, cultivating and breaking through at the click of a button! Therefore, guarding Yanhuang Armory is my greatest opportunity! The vast amount of Cultivation Techniques in Yanhuang Armory is an inexhaustible treasure for me! Unless... I have enough Contribution Points to exchange for all the cultivation techniques I need, store them in the Dragon Emblem for ready use... Thoughtfully nodding, Zhu Haomiao headed towards the Public Leased Territory. Dozens of minutes later, as he passed through an invisible thin film, a bustling hall filled with the sounds of people came into view, with various people of all colors and languages flowing in streams, odd and peculiar languages resounding in his ears. Seeing this lively scene, Zhu Haomiao pulled down the brim of his hood to hide his conspicuous features, discreetly making his way through the crowd, finding the enthusiastic Wang Hua. "I''ve already told you, the schedule is packed, the earliest will be next Monday! Cut the line? We don''t allow cutting the line here!!" "Senior Brother Wang." Roaring, Wang Hua waved his hand impatiently without turning around. "Wait a minute, let me finish this... Hmm? Junior Brother Zhu?!" Recognizing Zhu Haomiao''s voice, Wang Hua abruptly turned around, his impatient expression immediately transforming to delight. "What brings you here?! Xiao Sun, help me out here." Handing over the task at hand to his subordinate, Wang Hua pulled Zhu Haomiao straight to the second floor. "You never come without a reason, tell me, are you short on Contribution Points again?" Listening to Wang Hua''s teasing words, Zhu Haomiao awkwardly grinned. "Senior Brother Wang, you know how fast I''m growing, I want to use real combat to adapt to new cultivation techniques, strength, and realm..." "By the way, I practiced Storage Explosion last time, but haven''t had a chance to use it till now..." Wang Hua: "..." Chapter 114 - 114: You Deserve to Die!! It sounds absurd, but when I think of you, it seems quite normal. Looking at the boy''s clear eyes with an expression that''s hard to describe, Wang Hua let out a faint sigh in his heart. "Alright then, I''ll arrange it for you." "Thank you, Senior Brother Wang." Just then, Feng Zhaobai, receiving a report from his subordinates, walked out with a smile and greeted the boy. "Junior Brother Zhu." "Senior Brother Feng!" After some small talk, Feng Zhaobai subtly steered the conversation back on track. "How is the sixth layer of Stacked Waves Strength that you exchanged last time coming along?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao sighed lightly and shook his head. "Sigh... I''ve hit a bottleneck." Seeing this, Wang Hua patted the boy''s back gleefully. "I told you not to aim too high. Break through the Fifth Level first, attempt the Perfect Realm after your technique has achieved Great Success... Back in the day, your senior brother here honed himself in the Great Achievement Realm for many years building up strength¡­" Before he could finish, Zhu Haomiao gave him a strange look. "But I''ve already broken through the Fifth Level and reached Great Success in Stacked Waves Strength. Now I''m just stuck before the Perfect Realm." The nonchalant words shot like an arrow into Wang Hua''s heart. The gloating smile on his lips slowly faded, his expression becoming increasingly distorted. "No way, last time you said you were stuck at the Fourth Level, and it''s only been less than a month!" "Yeah, is there a problem?" "You mean to say that in less than a month, you broke through the Fourth Level bottleneck and elevated Stacked Waves Strength to the pinnacle of Great Success, reaching the final bottleneck of Great Perfection?" "Uh... Is that difficult?" I just took a nap, spent a bit of gold, and never manually operated throughout the process... As Zhu Haomiao''s soul-searching questions echoed, and those clear yet stupid eyes looked at them, Wang Hua and Feng Zhaobai both fell into silence. After a long time, trembling all over, Wang Hua finally let out a blood-curdling scream like a cuckoo. "You truly deserve to die ahhhhhhh!!!!!!!" Watching the back of Senior Brother Wang flee as he covered his face, disappearing around the corner, Zhu Haomiao turned his clear eyes to the side. "Senior Brother Feng, what happened to Senior Brother Wang?" Feng Zhaobai gazed at the ceiling with a melancholic expression. "Maybe he remembered something sad..." Scratching his head, Zhu Haomiao left the emotionally unstable Senior Brother Wang aside and curiously asked. "Senior Brother Feng, it''s almost the Jiawu Year, isn''t there any plan from above?" Talking about serious matters, Feng Zhaobai gathered himself and looked at Zhu Haomiao meaningfully. "What? Do you have some ideas?" "Hmm, I previously exchanged some thoughts with a few friends, planning to join in the excitement." Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai smiled with relief, then seriously advised. "This pivotal node in the change of world lines indeed concentrates a vast amount of Qi fortune." "Any slight alteration would be enough to offer endless benefits to those who trigger it." "By then, elites from around the world will probably participate and attempt to carve a share, so be careful." Hearing Feng Zhaobai''s explanations, Zhu Haomiao blinked, bewildered. I just wanted to stir things up; why is there such a complex consideration behind it? Seeing the sudden confusion in the boy, Feng Zhaobai''s heart stirred, his eyes instantly becoming sharp. "You wouldn''t merely intend to go fight the devils, would you?" "..." Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s embarrassed grin, Feng Zhaobai painfully rubbed his brow. "As a mature Transcendent, a simple patriotic sentiment is certainly important, but you shouldn''t let it cloud your judgment." "Ultimately, everything in the Illusion Realm is but a fantasy mirage; even if you reversed the outcome of the Jiawu War in this world, it wouldn''t change anything in actual history..." Saying this, Feng Zhaobai patted Zhu Haomiao on the shoulder, speaking with a deep and solemn tone. "The national fortunes in reality are the result of the Qi Fortune accumulated by you, me, and every Chinese descendant." "A nation''s strength comes from its youth''s strength!" "Your own growth is the most crucial aspect if you wish to impact reality!" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao nodded in understanding. "Got it." Even when it''s about fighting devils, you can''t just fight for fighting''s sake. You must understand why you fight... Perhaps An Rong and the others already understand this; their main goal is to participate in these pivotal moments in the change of world lines and compete for Qi fortune! Secondarily, it''s about releasing some anger and settling scores. Seeing Zhu Haomiao musing with furrowed brows, Feng Zhaobai nodded in relief, changing the subject. "The large-scale conflicts in the Illusion Realm are extensions of real international conflicts, except they don''t involve bloodshed¡­ well¡­ at least not in the real world. Their brutality is in no way inferior to actual warfare, perhaps even more so..." "At that time, Japan will have the support of the entire Western group in the background. Additionally, since they were originally the victors, they''ll attract many neutrals and those sharing Qi fortune to join their camp, putting us under more pressure." "However, if we can genuinely change the war''s outcome, even partially, the benefits we gain will far exceed theirs¡­" Speaking up to this point, Feng Zhaobai winked mysteriously at Zhu Haomiao. "By then, I''ll introduce you to a friend." "Huh?" Before Zhu Haomiao could understand, Wang Hua, who had just left, returned with red eyes. "It''s all arranged, let''s go to the underground arena! I''ll find someone to beat you to death!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." Although Senior Brother Wang is emotionally unstable and often suddenly curses and goes mad, he''s quite reliable in handling things... In just a few minutes, he managed to arrange for the competition... With a touch of sigh, the three of them took the elevator to the expansive underground arena, where the deafening cheers instantly bombarded them. "Once these two finish, it''s your turn next, quickly prepare yourself!" Without a chance to protest, Zhu Haomiao was forced into the contender''s passage, while Wang Hua watched his back with clenched teeth, muttering curses. "Damn God''s Destiny, may you never find a girlfriend in your life!!" Beside him, Feng Zhaobai glanced at him cryptically and said, "With Junior Brother Zhu''s looks, that''s unlikely. In the future, the girls chasing him could line up and encircle the earth." "..." After a long silence, Wang Hua cried out in further frustration towards the heavens. "The heavens are unjust ahhhhhhh!!!!" Strong enough, but not handsome enough, Zhu seems to get all the good things!! Ignoring Wang Hua''s antics, Feng Zhaobai patted his shoulder meaningfully and comforted, "I understand your feelings, but sometimes, the gap between people is greater than that between a person and a dog, you should be more accepting." Upon hearing this, Wang Hua''s breath caught, staring incredulously at Feng Zhaobai, his eyes wide open with indignation. "Are you calling me a dog?!!" "Uh... No, I was sincerely trying to comfort you..." S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 115 - 115: Stereotypes Can Kill Feng Zhaobai was momentarily at a loss for words, hesitated for a moment, and due to confidentiality rules couldn''t explain clearly, so he could only explain tactfully. "Junior Brother Zhu is that kind of... Emmmm... very special existence. Comparing yourself to him is just asking for trouble, understand?" "No, I don''t understand." Wang Hua shook his head naively, looking completely confused. Feng Zhaobai: "..." Sighing, Feng Zhaobai pondered for a moment, and murmured in more direct words. "Just remember that he''s an exception, don''t let his growth shake your Dao Heart, even if true Immortal Gods reincarnate, they have to bow their heads in his presence..." Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After saying this, seeing Wang Hua''s eyes filled with a realization, Feng Zhaobai smiled slightly and nonchalantly changed the topic. "By the way, who is Junior Brother Zhu''s opponent this time?" "The system automatically matched him with a Gold level; I didn''t notice exactly who it was, but they probably won''t beat him anyway." Thinking about it himself, Feng Zhaobai didn''t continue asking and directly walked with Wang Hua towards the spectator area. Just a mere Gold, if he is a reincarnation of a Buddha, he can lose a little more decently. Otherwise, when facing an Abyss, the other party should consider how to die with dignity... Thinking of this, Feng Zhaobai slightly frowned. However... they still need to cultivate proper values in Junior Brother Zhu; now is a critical period for his growth, and he can''t be allowed to develop a habit of bloodlust... If not necessary, don''t kill anyone! Otherwise... An Abyss addicted to destruction and slaughter will be a nightmare for the All Heavens Illusion Realm! In a trance, it was as if he saw billions of beings struggling and wailing in a sea of blood, one Illusion Realm World after another collapsing and crumbling under Zhu Haomiao''s shadow... Feng Zhaobai shivered all over, felt a tingle on his scalp, and his gaze became even more resolute. ......... A dozen minutes later, the next round of the match began. Zhu Haomiao stepped onto the ring, and information about his opponent reached his ears. "In the next match, China contender [Zhu Haomiao] versus Gaul contender [Catherine Veronia]." Another Gaul? Recalling the opponent in the last round who conceded without hesitation, Zhu Haomiao slightly frowned, and a faint idea of ridiculing France rose in his mind. Hopefully, this time the opponent won''t surrender as soon as they meet, at least put up some resistance... At least let me test what my true power level is without using the Book of Black? His five fingers subconsciously wriggled slightly, and Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up seeing the figure walking up from the opposite side of the ring. It was a tall and glamorous pretty girl, with exquisite features carrying a maturity beyond her age. Her light brown wavy long hair was simply tied behind with hair accessories; paired with her voluptuous figure that was both convex and concave, merely walking onto the ring caused the entire venue to erupt in cheers. More importantly, Zhu Haomiao didn''t see any fear or cowardice in her eyes; those bright and clear blue eyes were full of excitement, eagerly waiting to give it a try. Sweeping his gaze over the golden iris badge on her majestic chest, Zhu Haomiao lowered his hood, unfastened his cloak, revealing a handsome face with a hint of demonic charm, nodding slightly at her from over a hundred meters distance. However, seeing Zhu Haomiao carrying no weapons, Catherine Veronia furrowed her brows, unable to resist opening her mouth to ask. "Aren''t you using a weapon?" "Hmm, don''t have one that feels right." Zhu Haomiao smiled nonchalantly, but inwardly was muttering. Mainly because I haven''t practiced... Holding any weapon in hand is like a fire poker, maybe even less effective than bare fists... Nevertheless, Catherine Veronia misunderstood and glanced at the audience below, immediately someone threw up a splendid Western sword. "This is one of my swords, you can borrow it first." Swish~ Casually tossing it, the Western sword flew over a hundred meters straight towards the young man''s face. Zhu Haomiao: "??!" Pop~ Forced to catch the treasure sword, before Zhu Haomiao could explain, Catherine Veronia excitedly spoke. "I''ve heard your Chinese Swordsmanship is unrivaled in the world. I started learning the sword at the age of four and have never met a match among peers. I came to the Modu District this time specifically to witness your unique sword techniques; I hope you don''t disappoint me!" Finishing her words, Catherine Veronia slowly stepped forward, drawing a cold shining Western sword from her waist, holding it side-body, slightly raising her long white neck like an elegantly proud white swan. Looking at her eager eyes, then at the gem-encrusted gorgeous long sword in his hand, Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips speechlessly. Chinese Swordsmanship is unrivaled in the world... But not every Chinese knows swordsmanship!!! Go find someone who practices the sword! What''s the meaning of tossing a sword to me? Are you assuming that all 1.3 billion Chinese people know swordsmanship? Stereotypes can be deadly!! Blinking his eyes, Zhu Haomiao glanced around, unable to admit under the anticipation of all eyes that he couldn''t wield a sword. He could only swallow his pride and slowly drew out the treasure sword in his hand. Clang~ Amid the clear sword''s cry, the smooth and mirror-like blade smoothly unsheathed. Seeing his face reflected on the spine of the sword, Zhu Haomiao helplessly sighed. It''s okay, I guess... To the current me, the difference with or without a sword isn''t that big. Because Basic Force itself has no moves, all it emphasizes is breaking a myriad of techniques with a single force; it''s all about values, with no skills involved, possessing a kind of simple and unadorned beauty. And this sword looks quite sharp... Just swing it randomly will do... On the other side, Catherine Veronia already couldn''t wait and urged. "Are you ready?" "Yeah." Casually twirling the sword, Zhu Haomiao nodded carelessly. Yet in the next second, his lazy gaze suddenly condensed, with a sharp streak of light reflected in his pupils. In a flash, spanning dozens of meters, Catherine Veronia seemed to teleport before the young man, with the sharp blade pointed straight at his throat. Swish~ Instinctively raising his hand to block, the sword''s edge deflected Catherine Veronia''s thrust, but the massive force transmitted through the blade''s hilt amazed Zhu Haomiao. Is this the power of Golden Level? Far stronger than me! Only managing to deflect the opponent''s thrust by an inch, Zhu Haomiao tilted his head to dodge, and a streak of piercing cold light brushed past his neck, leaving a barely noticeable blood line. In the blink of an eye, as they crossed paths, Catherine Veronia advanced several meters and stood firm, turning her head with a touch of confusion. In the probing strike just now, she had seven changes withheld, ready for any counter-move from her opponent, but the conclusion left her puzzled. With no skillful responses, the opponent just blindly blocked, like a subconscious instinctive reaction. Moreover, the force and speed matched his Silver Level, devoid of any extraordinary elements. Chapter 116 - 116: Evil Dragon of the Empire Is this the "Evil Dragon of the Empire" that makes those Japanese mourn like losing their parents? Is it just this? Is it just this? But recalling the recorded match she had once watched, though the footage could only restore a small part of the scene, the momentum of those two youths at that time indeed sent chills down her spine. And her mentor even told her that both teenagers had already touched the threshold of Mythical Form, and purely in terms of Rank Realm, many hegemony-level Transcendents were far inferior to them! First Layer Heaven, Silver Level, Mythical Form... The combination of these three completely unrelated terms revealed what terrifying monster lay wrapped beneath their skin. Thinking of this, Catherine Veronia felt an even more excited emotion rising in her heart, a wave of electrifying numbness flowing down her spine, her blue pupils filled with the joy of hunting excitement. God Slaying! Dragon Hunting! It is precisely to challenge such strong enemies that makes it interesting! I will forge a new myth! Catherine Veronia readjusted her stance, sidestepping, raising her sword to level, the sword intent all over her body radiating. From a distance of more than ten meters, she stared intently at Zhu Haomiao, the sharp streaming light surging in her slightly squinted phoenix eyes. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao wiped his neck, looking at the faint crimson on his fingertip, raised an eyebrow slightly. Careless... Not sure if it''s the side effect of [Sloth], his thoughts were a bit scattered, lazily unable to get nervous. Compared to defeating the enemy, his mind was filled with some colored thoughts, his gaze uncontrollably drifting to the violently shaking chest of the opponent. Isn''t it too bouncy? Want to... With a halt in breathing, Zhu Haomiao suddenly awakened, shaking his head vigorously. No! You don''t want to! Amitabha Buddha! Forbid Se Se! Forbid Se Se! Shaking his head, discarding the evil thoughts stirred by [Lust], Zhu Haomiao''s gaze returned to clarity, forcing himself to be serious. The difference in basic attributes between Silver and Gold Energy Level was greater than he had imagined; if he didn''t use the authority of [Book of Black], defeating the opponent would be a very challenging thing... Thoughts shifting in his mind, Zhu Haomiao looked at the opponent not far away, ready and waiting, pursed his lips with interest. Let''s try first, theoretically, my cultivation realm should be sufficient to bridge the gap in attributes... Oh, the passive ability of [Pride] can still be used, try the power of the Three Forces fusion! Taking a deep breath, Zhu Haomiao began to activate the three Basic Forces of [Stacked Waves], [Gale], [Storage Explosion], the vast platform echoed with faint sounds of the sea tides. Swish swish swish swish~~ The indistinct sound of sea waves was ethereal, but it caused all knowledgeable Transcendents below the platform to change their expressions. "Stacked Waves¡¤Tidal Wave Realm?!" A subconscious low shout, Feng Zhaobai and Wang Hua looked at each other, seeing a hint of shock in each other''s eyes. "That kid not only reached Great Success in cultivation, but also comprehended [Rhyme]?!" "It seems he''s just a step away from the final Great Perfection!" "Ridiculous¡­ counting all, he''s only been cultivating for a little over a year, a year to push [Stacked Waves Strength] to the Great Success Bottleneck¡­" "Don''t forget, he also practices five other cultivation techniques, all of which are progressing well!" "..." After a long silence, Wang Hua sighed softly. "Monster¡­" S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If it weren''t for Feng Zhaobai''s earlier enlightenment, his [Dao Heart] might have been shaken once again, feeling a sense of disparity as if living a lifetime for nothing. But having understood the implicit hint from Feng Zhaobai, he had already come to terms. Once lying flat, the world instantly feels larger! [Human] cannot be compared to [Non-human], there exists an objective difference in the level of life between the two! Forcing oneself to catch up will only increase one''s pain and self-consumption. Meanwhile, from a special viewing area, talent scouts from around the world were writing feverishly, extremely excited. "The Chinese Eight Basic Skills are renowned, but they''ve always felt rather ordinary, today we finally witness their dominance!" "That''s because we''ve always been at First Layer Heaven, it''s rare to find rookies here who can practice Basic Forces to a high realm, not to mention comprehending [Rhyme]." "Indeed, if you reach Middle Heavenly Position, you''ll see how terrifying the Eight Basic Forces are, casually practicing one to a high realm is enough for cross-level challenges, not to mention those monsters who master several Basic Forces¡­ Cross-level slaughtering enemies is just like slaying chickens¡­" At the same time, on the platform, Catherine Veronia felt unprecedented pressure. It was a very mysterious, indescribable, unseen, untouchable pressure from the soul. It was like standing against the rising tide, one invisible wave after another crashing against her body, akin to resisting heavenly might, stirring up a sense of despair and helplessness. The cold light in the blue pupils condensed heavily, Catherine Veronia knew she must initiate an attack! Otherwise, if the opponent''s momentum is pushed to the extreme, the pressure on the soul level would be enough to crush her! Moreover, she could perceive that a vast power was compressing and converging within the opponent, like a long-accumulating volcano, once released, it would surely have devastating explosive power! Whoo~ Taking a deep breath, an intense sword Qi visible to the naked eye rose around Catherine Veronia, semi-transparent sword shadows spirally blossoming like a blooming rose. The delicate "flower" tore through Zhu Haomiao''s realm suppression, Catherine Veronia transformed into a stream of light, vanished from the original spot without any warning, appearing suddenly by the youth''s side. Swish swish swish~ The agile sword Qi sliced through the air, the rapid sword shadows left multiple afterimages on the retina, the entire center of the platform seemed to bloom into a gorgeous and elegant rose. "Thorny Rose!!" Seeing that familiar anomaly, the spies from all countries under the platform immediately exploded in a frenzy. "Wasn''t it said that the [Rose Sword Sect] hasn''t taken on new disciples for a long time? How did a golden one appear silently?!" "Probably wanted her to shine in the [Ascension Competition], but unfortunately, she encountered the [Evil Dragon]." "Don''t speak too soon, [Thorny Rose Swordsmanship] is not inferior to [Chinese Basic Strength], Catherine also has the energy level advantage, might not lose!" "No, [Chinese Basic Strength] is still a bit more powerful..." Supporters of each side argued, and in a special spectator area, sensing something in his heart, Feng Zhaobai turned his head to his side, where a beautiful young lady appeared silently, standing beside him, watching the battle on the platform. "Judy, is that girl from your [Rose Sword Sect]?" The golden-haired, blue-eyed girl nodded: "Her talent in swordsmanship is extremely rare, the mentor has high hopes for her..." As she spoke, she slowly turned her head, giving Feng Zhaobai an inquisitive look. "So... is he that [Abyss]? The son of China?" Chapter 117 - 117: All Values, No Skills! The inaudible voice resonated directly in the mind, leaving Feng Zhaobai to shrug helplessly. "To be accurate, it should be called ''Dragon''s Son.'' You know how the Security Council names things, kind of juvenile." Upon hearing this, Judy couldn''t help but curl her lips into a smile. "Are they more juvenile than the Japanese? They gave it a nickname: ''Evil Dragon of the Empire.'' Hearing this ridiculous nickname, Feng Zhaobai hesitated, wanting to speak but refrained, then painfully pinched his brow. The little idiot always comes up with embarrassingly earnest titles... Outsiders hear it and cringe all over, but they think it''s cool and powerful... Forget it... I really don''t understand this group with juvenile minds... Shaking his head, casting aside the odd feelings, Feng Zhaobai looked at the beautiful woman beside him, eyes full of inquiry. "With our relationship, you can speak freely if you need anything. I will certainly help if I can." Hearing this, Judy laughed heartily. "Well, encountering an ''Abyss'' is both Catherine''s luck and misfortune. Later, control the intensity of the match, let Catherine feel the pressure of the ''Abyss,'' but don''t break her!" Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai shook his head regretfully. "You overestimate me. I can''t control an ''Abyss,'' if it goes berserk... You''ve probably seen the previous match recordings, even the Martial God of Japan was stomped to death by it!" Speaking, Feng Zhaobai glanced at the supposedly intense battle on the stage, then shifted his tone. "However, from what I understand about it, it seems to be deliberately suppressing something, not using its full strength, should not get carried away, at least I can ensure no one''s life is at stake." Beside him, Judy lightly knitted her eyebrows, hesitated for a moment, then sighed helplessly. "Catherine has just recently advanced to Gold, at a time when she''s proud and impetuous. I hope... she won''t be too discouraged..." Feng Zhaobai smiled slightly upon hearing this. "I''ve observed her Dao Heart is quite firm, with a sharp gleam in her eyes, not someone who collapses easily from a little setback. On the contrary, through the whip of failure, it might be her chance to soar." "That''s true. Aside from her talent in swordsmanship, the mentor values her temperament the most. She''s fearless, courageous, becoming more resilient through adversity!" Judy nodded in approval, her gaze softened as she looked towards the ring, where an underlying trace of worry gradually dispersed. At the center of the spacious ring, the battle had reached a fever pitch. Beautiful sword flowers appeared and disappeared, covering an area within several meters. Zhu Haomiao seemed to be trapped in a moving "sea of flowers," with unseen thorns gradually wrapping around him. However, the youth remained unchanged, responding to change with constancy. Each time the opponent''s sword edge intruded on a dangerous distance, he would slash through with immense, simple force. Like waves crashing against a castle of fine sand, it instantly shattered and consumed the elaborate sword stances Catherine Veronia painstakingly constructed, grinding them to dust. Until now, Catherine finally realized that her opponent knew nothing about swordsmanship. He was purely relying on unreasonable brute force and the profound power of heaven and earth to crush her abruptly! Originally her strength far surpassed, but after the opponent fully operated his cultivation technique, it gradually leveled out, even overwhelmingly suppressed! Fortunately, apart from strength, she still had significant advantages in other areas: although unable to breach the opponent''s defense web, he also lacked the energy to retaliate, remaining on the defensive. Thus, the two remained in a stalemate. Yet Catherine was in no rush. Silver Level stamina and mana were simply incomparable to Gold. Even though she had just advanced to Gold, this advantage was enough to wear down the enemy. As long as she continued to deplete him, her opponent would soon be exhausted, and then victory would be hers! Meanwhile, during Catherine''s patient depletion, Zhu Haomiao noticed her scheme and barely perceptibly curled his lips. I''m waiting for the Storage Explosion, what are you waiting for? Buzz~ Finally, the surging Inner Qi compressed to its limit within the Dantian, likened to a cannon loaded with gunpowder, just a triggering thought away from unleashing devastating energy! Is this the Storage Explosion? Though the charging time is significantly long, this power is somewhat monstrous, capable of erupting terrifying damage that transcends energy levels instantaneously! S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Even more terrifying, this is only the third layer of Storage Explosion! If trained to the Great Perfection Realm, and stacked with the Great Perfection of Stacked Waves Strength, enemies across levels could be killed as easily as chickens! No wonder the forum often claims, Eight Forces Combined, invincible in the world! Combining just two basic forces here, the explosive damage is already unfathomable. Only now did Zhu Haomiao profoundly and intuitively comprehend the horror of basic force! It''s all numerical values, without technique! Because technique isn''t needed! No matter how flashy you are, a single punch from me, and you''ll be reduced to ashes! Savoring the rampaging energy poised to burst from the Dantian, Zhu Haomiao felt a multitude of emotions and deliberately exposed a huge flaw, instantly catching the opponent''s eye. Sure enough! He''s exhausted! Catherine Veronia''s heart leaped with joy, only to be deceived, exploiting the flaw to tear through defenses, aiming her sword at the youth''s throat. And at that moment, Zhu Haomiao suddenly lifted his gaze, a glint of fierce light exploding in his pupils. Explode! Boom! A phantom explosion seemed to echo in the soul, with compressed and extreme violent energy surging out from the Dantian, instantly filling the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. The immense energy, eager to be unleashed, painfully stretched the meridians. Time seemed to pause at this moment, and Zhu Haomiao could even clearly see the unrestrained joy in Catherine Veronia''s translucent blue pupils. Her brilliant and charming features wrote two words¡ªvictory! You''re happy too early... Filled with mischievous amusement, Zhu Haomiao swung his long sword, "painstakingly" tearing through the glue-like thick air, and managed to strike the opponent''s sword first. With no frills, absolute force swept away the sword edge, transferring along the blade to Catherine Veronia''s palm, instantly tearing her tiger''s mouth. Yet the remaining violent force continued upward, numbing most of Catherine Veronia''s body. Her sword-wielding arm was directly sent flying, as if she were extending her arms to embrace Zhu Haomiao, leaving her center wide open. Only then did Zhu Haomiao see the expression on Catherine Veronia''s face shift from joy to terror and panic. The Western sword in her grasp flew out, spinning towards the distance. As he looked at the open-center beautiful maiden, Zhu Haomiao''s lips curled into a cruel arc. Swish~ The ascending sword image drew an angle, its cold glint skimming towards the girl''s neck. Chapter 118 - 118: No Complaints About Losing In a flash of lightning and flint, Catherine Veronia sensed the arrival of death, a trace of despair and fear flickering in her sapphire-like pupils. Yet just as the sword light was about to decapitate her, a low murmur echoed in Zhu Haomiao''s ear. "Junior Brother Zhu, revere life." "Be cautious in killing!" "Be cautious in anger!" The ethereal murmur, like a gentle breeze brushing by, instantly dispelled Zhu Haomiao''s heated bloodthirst, and the sword in his hand subtly shifted from a merciless strike to an ethereal "breeze." Clang!!! It wasn''t until then that the shockwaves from the earlier clash of swords expanded and released, the harsh sound of metal scraping swept across the entire underground arena, causing all the audience to instinctively cover their ears, feeling the tingling high-frequency vibrations in the air. Catherine Veronia was knocked back three steps by a single sword, staggering to a half-kneel on the ground, the exquisite leather armor on her upper body torn and blown away by the sword''s wind, revealing a luxurious shirt with pure white and gold trim, and a pair of snow-white, round northern hemispheres. Zhu Haomiao: "..." Such a beautiful girl, such milky snow; why was I just thinking about chopping off her head?! Is there no justice? Is there no law? What a waste! Should I have had some fun first and then see if I could eat... huh?! No!! Realizing his blasphemous thoughts, Zhu Haomiao shuddered, his gaze instantly regaining clarity. Amitabha Buddha! Indulging in everything will only bring harm to oneself! Having fun first and eating later is even worse! Even thinking about it is wrong! Thinking itself is a sin! Taking a deep breath, Zhu Haomiao suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind, looking at the beautiful girl half-kneeling before him. The blade''s gleaming edge was pointed at her throat, the cold spine of the sword "cupping" her chin, forcing her stunning face to tilt upward, looking up at him. Looking down at her defiant, unwilling azure eyes, Zhu Haomiao felt an inexplicable slight pleasure of taming a wild crimson mare, gently exerting some force with his wrist. Catherine Veronia''s hands hung by her sides, her pink fists clenched to a pale white, gazing up at the boy''s superior handsome face, reluctantly standing up by having her chin "cupped" by the cold sword blade. And as she moved to stand, the white shirt with gold trim, torn by the sword''s wind, slid off to the sides, revealing her snow-white, delicate shoulders and the faintly visible, round, white hemispheres. Seeing this scene, Zhu Haomiao''s heart pounded wildly, his mind bubbling with all sorts of bizarre, wicked thoughts like boiling water. Amitabha Buddha! Ban Se Se! Ban Se Se! Before the [Book of Black] issued a warning, Zhu Haomiao concentrated and quickly suppressed the surging desires, speaking calmly. "Do you surrender?" Feeling the cold sensation pressing against her throat, Catherine Veronia clenched her fists even tighter, her beautiful nails digging into her flesh, struggling for a good few seconds before squeezing out three words through her teeth. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I surrender." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao smiled slightly, relaxing his fingers, the sword tip tracing an arc, naturally drooping down, the entire Western sword picked up by a single finger at the root of the bowl-shaped guard, presented to Catherine Veronia. "Thank you for your sword." In the seemingly sincere words of thanks, Catherine Veronia inexplicably sensed a kind of superior mockery, giving the boy a resentful glare. "Hmph! You don''t understand swordsmanship at all!" With a cold snort, Catherine Veronia snatched back her sword, pulling up her shirt that had slipped to her arms, turned and walked away. Watching her enchanting, graceful back, Zhu Haomiao stifled a laugh, pursing his lips, his gaze extending further to see Feng Zhaobai smiling appreciatively under the stage, along with the beautiful blonde lady beside him. Hmm?? Senior Brother Feng''s girlfriend? Something''s up! The distance between them was clearly beyond ordinary social boundaries, only friends close enough would instinctively stand so close! Amidst the roaring cheers and curses of countless spectators, a hint of gossip curiosity flickered in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes. Following Catherine Veronia down the stage, they were greeted by Feng Zhaobai and the beautiful lady. "Junior Brother Zhu, let me introduce you, this is Judy Pores of the Gaul [Thorny Rose] sword sect." In a composed manner, his gaze swept across the Purple Gold Iris Badge on her chest, Zhu Haomiao nodded politely. "Hello." Judy Pores examined the boy''s youthful, handsome features with a complex gaze, nodding after a few seconds, extending her hand proactively. "Hello, it''s a pleasure to meet you, Zhu." Staring at the fair, soft hand extended before him, Zhu Haomiao blinked, calmly shaking hands with her. In a vague sense, he detected a subtle, almost imperceptible reverence within her for him, possibly even... fear! Oh no! Could it be she discovered my fleeting thought of having fun with Catherine Veronia first and eating her afterward?!!! No, such fleeting wicked thoughts were impossible for anyone but himself to notice! Besides, if truly discovered, the reaction should be anger and vigilance, not reverence and fear! Unobtrusively glancing at the sulking Catherine Veronia beside him, through their attire and the similar ornate Western sword at their waists, along with their shared sharp aura, Zhu Haomiao affirmed they were of the same school. As the boy''s thoughts raced, Judy Pores shifted her gaze, gently patting Catherine''s head, encouraging her. "Don''t sulk, you''re already very impressive." Glancing at Zhu Haomiao beside her, Catherine Veronia pouted in grievance. "Being defeated by someone who doesn''t understand swordsmanship, what''s impressive about that..." Seeing this, Judy Pores smiled slightly, looking at Zhu Haomiao beside her. "Zhu, was that sudden burst just now your [Storage Explosion] from the Chinese Eight Basic Forces?" "Uh... yes." Upon hearing this, a dim light sparked in Catherine Veronia''s azure eyes. Sensing the change in her junior sister, Judy Pores seized the opportunity, fondling her hair. "Zhu''s [Stacked Waves Strength] is near its peak, having grasped the [Rhyme], already no less than you. When combined with the instantaneous burst of [Storage Explosion], the dual power fusion, you were not defeated unjustly." Listening to her senior sister''s persuasion, Catherine Veronia''s crystal-clear eyes shone brighter and brighter, straightening her posture again. Just then, Feng Zhaobai discreetly joined the conversation, smiling at Catherine Veronia. "Actually, you shouldn''t belittle yourself. Junior Brother Zhu is only at the Silver Level, his basic attributes far from competing with yours, so he couldn''t engage you in a prolonged battle, forcing him to take a risky move, breaking you down with a single burst!" "And if you had withstood that wave, the situation would have immediately reversed..." Speaking, Feng Zhaobai turned to Zhu Haomiao, raising an eyebrow discreetly from Catherine Veronia''s line of sight. "Isn''t that right... Junior Brother Zhu?" Chapter 119 - 119: Im So Blue! Seamlessly receiving Senior Brother Feng''s hint, Zhu Haomiao nodded along even though he didn''t understand why. "That''s right!" After some thought, Zhu Haomiao decided to see it through to the end and continued. "Actually, earlier, I wasn''t just using Dual Power Fusion; I also used [Gale Force]. Otherwise, with my speed and dexterity, I wouldn''t be able to get [Storage Explosion] ready. It''s just that because my [Gale Force] realm is low, maybe you didn''t notice..." After saying this, Zhu Haomiao looked into Catherine Veronia''s beautiful blue eyes and said with a smile. "So, I actually used the fusion of three Basic Forces to defeat you." Upon hearing this, the comforting smile on Feng Zhaobai''s lips slowly faded. Judy Pores stared at Zhu Haomiao as if she were looking at a monster, clicking her tongue in amazement. Catherine Veronia, on the other hand, instantly shook off her despondency, regaining her energy, and murmured to herself. "Three Forces Combined, no wonder, no wonder..." While everyone was deep in thought, Zhu Haomiao quietly thumped his chest, raised an eyebrow at Feng Zhaobai, with the expression of "That''s all I can do for you, brother." With an eye that carried both boldness and a touch of foolishness, Feng Zhaobai smiled wryly, shaking his head, clearly realizing there was a misunderstanding. Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. However, just as Zhu Haomiao was about to take his leave, a sharp voice suddenly called out from behind. "Wait a minute." Turning around and meeting Catherine Veronia''s complex gaze, Zhu Haomiao looked into her eyes and asked gently. "Is there anything else?" "I watched your previous matches, but this time you didn''t show your Mythical Form, so... you didn''t use your full strength, did you?" As soon as she said this, Judy Pores and Feng Zhaobai exchanged glances and sighed in unison. After all that talking, she actually knew it all along... Zhu Haomiao looked towards Feng Zhaobai in embarrassment, seeing his indifferent shrug, thought for a moment, and chose a diplomatic way to respond. "Under normal conditions, I''ve used all my strength. Just like Senior Brother Feng said, if you could withstand my burst, the situation would quickly turn around..." However, Catherine Veronia was not having it, staring at Zhu Haomiao unblinkingly and asked again. "So... you have a non-standard state?" "Uh... yes." "How strong is your non-standard state?" "This..." After hesitating for a few seconds, Zhu Haomiao shrugged helplessly and looked sincerely into Catherine Veronia''s eyes. "I don''t know either." "???!" Looking at her skeptical and disbelieving expression, Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips, rubbed his chin, and gazed wistfully into the distance. "I truly don''t know, because my powers are constantly growing, and just adapting to them consumes a lot of my energy, let alone the limits in the non-standard state..." "Every time I wake up and open my eyes, I have to reacquaint myself with my spirit and body..." Saying this, Zhu Haomiao looked at Catherine Veronia with envy. "The Extraordinary World is indeed unfair; ordinary people like you just need to focus on cultivation, but I have so much more to consider... I''m really blue here!" Watching Zhu Haomiao shrug his shoulders, with his incredible words echoing in her ears, Catherine Veronia''s eyebrows twitched uncontrollably. Judy Pores, standing by, openly turned to Feng Zhaobai and unabashedly asked. "Can I punch him?" Feng Zhaobai hesitated for a few seconds and shook his head. "No." Zhu Haomiao: "Hmm??!!" Senior Brother Feng, what was that pause supposed to mean? Did you hesitate?! Are we brothers or not, thinking of backstabbing me?! On the other hand, Catherine Veronia had countless words rolling in her chest, but due to her good upbringing, she couldn''t unleash the swear words she wanted to. She was so furious that her magnificent bosom heaved, revealing a swaying hint of creamy white. "Damn it!! Don''t get cocky, one day I''ll win back!" After a long struggle, Catherine Veronia let out an impotent roar of frustration and turned to leave. But halfway through, she seemed to get angrier and turned back to shout again at Zhu Haomiao. "Bastard!! Big bastard!!" With that, she stormed off like an angry duck, vanishing around the corner. Seeing this, Judy Pores glanced at Feng Zhaobai before leisurely following her. "Feng, I owe you one." A whisper, inaudible to others, echoed directly in his mind as Feng Zhaobai watched Judy Pores'' leaving figure, smiling without a word. In truth, stopping Zhu Haomiao from going for the kill wasn''t just because of her request, but for his own sake as well. His most important responsibility right now was to guide the [Dragon''s Son] onto the right path and instill the correct values. Otherwise, a bloodthirsty [Abyss] growing up would be downright terrifying! However... the problem now is, Junior Brother Zhu seems to be naturally bloodthirsty, getting excited at the sight of blood... Such a pretty girl, and not a shred of hesitation or pity! If not for the critical moment when I used [Lion''s Roar] to bring him enlightenment, the young lady would probably be "at her wit''s end" now... Thinking of this, Feng Zhaobai shifted his gaze, seeing Zhu Haomiao sighing wistfully. "Senior Brother Feng, foreigners are so pitiful, not even knowing how to swear properly, only calling people bastards..." Feng Zhaobai: "......" Usually acting naive but harmless, yet in the ring turning into a Living Yama, killing without blinking an eye... The disconnect and harmony between these two states¡ªJunior Brother Zhu''s mental state is worrying... Hesitant to speak, hesitating again, Feng Zhaobai pondered for a long time, chuckled, shook his head, and decisively changed the topic. "This opponent was at Golden Level, I''ll give you 500 contribution points." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes gleamed with a captivating light, grasping Feng Zhaobai''s hand. "Senior Brother Feng, whatever you need in the future, I''ll go through fire and water without hesitation!!" Feng Zhaobai smiled wryly, shaking his head. "Just don''t kill people randomly!" ........................ Inside a night club''s private room, under the dim, enchanting lights, Zhu Haomiao lay on a comfortable sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling, with his mind replaying the conversation with Feng Zhaobai when exchanging for the cultivation technique. "I didn''t know back then that you could cultivate multiple Basic Forces concurrently, which is why I recommended the movement technique to you." "But in reality, [Gale Force], once trained to a high realm, aside from being straightforward and lack of variability, is an incredibly powerful movement technique." "More crucially, [movement technique] and [Gale Force] overlap significantly in terms of training and enhancement, and the higher the realm, the less benefit you get from dual cultivation, while the costs increase..." Chapter 120 - 120: Offending the Abbot and Still Want to Run? "So, if you have the confidence to train [Gale Force] to Small Success or higher, then I suggest you give up on the movement technique and focus exclusively on [Gale Force]..." Reflecting on Senior Brother Feng''s advice to him, Zhu Haomiao furrowed his brow slightly. The so-called repetitive cultivation probably refers to the attributes gained. In other words, if both cultivation techniques are trained to the Great Perfection Realm, they could originally gain 10 attribute points each, but due to overlapping training, they can only gain 6 attributes each in the end. The total benefit sharply decreases from 20 points to 12 points! Though slightly better than cultivating one technique alone, the cost doubles. If this cost is directed towards cultivating other techniques, perhaps full benefits can be achieved! Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. For him, other costs aren''t too significant, but the [Sloth]''s [Pupation] authority is extremely valuable, and he would rather prioritize breaking through the Basic Force than the movement technique! After all, the power of Basic Force is only fully manifest in the High Realm, initially appearing quite ordinary and not evidently strong. Even lacking moves and techniques, without stacking attributes, it''s easy to be overwhelmed from all sides. However, once reaching Small Success, or even Great Success, the terror of Basic Force gradually emerges. If another Basic Force can be merged, it will produce unimaginable chemical reactions. Recalling how he easily defeated a Gold rank by combining three forces, Zhu Haomiao sighed deeply. No wonder it is called the most challenging and root-focused technique in the world! The key is that these three Basic Forces are not at their strongest, with two of them only at the third layer of [Mastery]! With this in mind, Zhu Haomiao looked at the silver [Dragon Emblem] on his chest, his divine thought flowing into it like water. Buzz~ Mysterious knowledge poured into his mind like a trickling stream, imprinting the essentials of various cultivation techniques onto his divine soul in just a few dozen seconds. With 500 contribution points, he exchanged all cultivation techniques to the sixth layer of [Great Perfection] except for [Plum Blossom Step], with some leftover. However, [Plum Blossom Step] had previously been exchanged to the fifth level, and if there''s time in the future, it can still be cultivated, but its priority is last... Blinking his eyes, Zhu Haomiao scanned all the techniques, decisively focusing his gaze on the strongest [Stacked Waves Strength]. [Sloth]! Let me see how lazy I am! Bah! No! Let me see your limits! His pupils lit with a sinister black light, and as the supernatural authority was unleashed, grayish-white threads imperceptible to others condensed from the void, wriggling and spreading like living creatures. In the calm gaze of Zhu Haomiao, the gray-white threads coiled around him, gradually wrapping him up into a massive insect cocoon. Simultaneously, the [Stacked Waves Strength] recorded in the [Book of Black] radiated golden light, casting a faint seven-colored divine light that merged into the cocoon. The next moment, the cocoon room fully formed, and the originally soft and fragile material on the conceptual level instantly solidified, forming an eerie [Pupa Shell] with a faint golden glow. Soon, the [Pupa Shell] dematerialized, shrinking and closely adhering to Zhu Haomiao''s skin, merging and fading away. A sudden swell of weakness rushed to Zhu Haomiao''s mind, significantly weakening his six-dimensional attributes, contracting and concealing along with the insect cocoon into the depths of his spirit and body, undergoing some transformation beyond others'' comprehension at the conceptual level! Whew~ Slowly exhaling a mouthful of foul air, Zhu Haomiao subconsciously clenched his fist, feeling the weakening in his limbs. Used to an extraordinary physique, such a drastic reduction felt somewhat uncomfortable! With a wry smile, Zhu Haomiao lazily slumped on the sofa, supporting his chin with one hand, while a myriad of stray thoughts flickered in his scattered brain like wild horses, abruptly emerging then disappearing. Where''s the girl I called? Where''s the food I ordered either... So hungry... ...... Just as random thoughts echoed in the young man''s mind, the heavy door quietly opened, and several coquettish, scantily clad pretty girls streamed in, instantly filling the room with coquettish, flirtatious voices. "Young Master Zhu, you haven''t been here in so long, have you forgotten about us?" ...... Enveloped by the top girls, surrounded by the sweet scent of rouge and hearing the soft tones speaking, Zhu Haomiao embraced them left and right, flashing a roguish, lazy grin. While the young man indulged in the comforts of the powder and rouge, a knock was once again at the door. Knock knock~ "Come in." "Sir, your ordered meal has arrived." The suite door was pushed open again, as a group of servers wheeling carts filed in, serving dish after glowing dish. The girls, already familiar with Zhu Haomiao''s habits, expertly fed him while subtly rubbing and teasing, providing amusement. After several rounds of drinking and various dishes, while Zhu Haomiao savored the food and beauties, loud bickering and fighting suddenly erupted from outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Bam! Thud~ With the sound of shattering bottles echoing, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up, pushing aside the clingy girls, and walked directly to the window. From the prime vantage of the premium suite, he could clearly see the commotion in the first-floor hall, where figures engaged in a fierce brawl, with each move sending sofas flying and chairs shattering. Watching these apparent Transcendents exchanging raw punches, Zhu Haomiao amusedly spectated, eyes brimming with a wicked sense of fun. Fight! Fight! Master Ye, attack his lower body! Slam~ Whoa! Bottle smash to the head! Cool! Thump~ Ouch... A folding chair doesn''t disappoint as the king of dark weapons, Mr. Xing was right! But as Zhu Haomiao gleefully watched the scene, one figure downstairs was battered directly airborne, tracing a parabola through the air like a rocket, crashing through the suite''s floor-to-ceiling glass, skimming past him. Bang! Thud! Clang~ Zhu Haomiao: "......" One moment: hehe The next moment: no hehe Amidst the girls'' screams filling the room, watching the delicious meal he was enjoying smashed to bits nearby, Zhu Haomiao''s smile gradually faded, casting a dangerous gaze at the struggling figure. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Human cannonball, huh? I''m eating hotpot and singing songs, and you dared to smash my bowl?!! "What are you staring at? Keep looking, and I''ll kill you!!" With a face full of malevolent muscle, a man topped with a piece of vegetable slowly stood up, noticing the young man''s gaze, glaring back fiercely while wiping the blood from his face, ready to jump back into the fray. Standing nearby, Zhu Haomiao smiled and curled up the corners of his mouth. How dare you offend the abbot and think you can escape?!! Great Vajra Dragon!! And so, just at the moment the man leaped, his body was seized mid-air by the collar, whisked back like pulling a kitten. Chapter 121 - 121: Who threw the firecracker? The man, who was being strangled and rolled his eyes, instinctively turned his head. The last image in his memory was of a handsome young man showing a demon-like grinning smile. "Gah~~~" The weak scream upstairs abruptly stopped, and in the chaotic lobby on the first floor, two bloodied groups were panting heavily, confronting each other across several meters, hurling curses at each other across the distance. "Motherfucker! I''ll kill you!" "Come on! Shrimp!" "If you got the guts, don''t run! My brothers will come and kill you all!" "Who can''t call for backup? Wait for your doom!!" ... But just as they were hurling saliva at each other, a dark shadow flew down from the second floor, smashed a table, and landed heavily between the two groups of people. "..." "..." Seeing the unlucky guy with a face full of blood, unrecognizable and groaning in pain, both sides instinctively turned their gaze towards where he came from. At the break of the dark second-floor private room, a figure elegantly leapt down, tracing a light parabola as if weightless, and landed gently in front of them. "Who threw the firecracker?" Zhu Haomiao looked expressionlessly at the two groups, his spiritual power silently invaded reality, a strange sense of oppression enveloping the area, making everyone there involuntarily swallow. But soon, one of the groups noticed the [Silver Dragon Badge] on his chest, their faces lit up, and a yellow-skinned man boldly stepped forward, speaking in clumsy Chinese. "One of our own, big brother." After speaking, he unhesitatingly pointed to the group of blonde-haired, blue-eyed Westerners opposite, complaining. "It was all them!" Upon hearing this, the people on the opposite side''s faces changed, pointing at the person underneath and retorted. "He''s your man!" "But he was beaten up by you!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." The young man irritably frowned, his mind was already sluggish and scattered after [Pupation], and their quarrel made his brain hurt even more. "Shut up! All of you for the master..." Letting out a low shout, Zhu Haomiao clenched his fist, the strength ready to be unleashed gathered within his body, but suddenly an image flashed through his mind. sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Just don''t kill people recklessly!" Remembering his promise to Feng Zhaobai, Zhu Haomiao, who was preparing to start a killing spree, paused his breath, the last word "die" stuck in his throat, and after a few seconds of hesitation, he swallowed it back bitterly. "For the master... sit down..." The two groups exchanged hostile glances, and reluctantly squatted down, but the first-floor lobby had been smashed into ruins by them, making it impossible to find a complete chair, forcing them to squat in humiliation where they were. Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes, looking at one group of Asian faces and another group of Western faces, instinctively feeling that neither side was good. Although there wasn''t a strong stench of severe sins, these guys had surely done good deeds such as bullying the weak. And the facts were almost as he expected. After interrogation, one side was a group of overseas Chinese second-generation, and the other was a group of Angsa second-generation, all of whom were bored [tourists] and [audience] seeking fun in the Illusion Realm. Originally, these two groups already had grudges against each other in reality, and coincidentally met in the Illusion Realm, plus a little spark of jealousy, immediately igniting a clash like a thunderbolt meeting wildfire. Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but rub his temple wearily, his mind recalling the scene of the crowded spectacle during the competition. Currently, at least a thousand Ascension Contestants were gathered in Shanghai, plus tens of times more [audience] and [tourists], these lawless and even fearlessly insane people must be staging chaotic fights every day. No wonder the security situation in Shanghai has reportedly plummeted during this period... With a sigh, Zhu Haomiao glanced around and saw the resentful eyes of these people, unwillingly complying on the outside but not in their hearts, making him narrow his eyes. How should I deal with these guys? Let them go? No, [Dao Heart] would be displeased! But can''t kill recklessly either... Tsk~ How annoying, maybe just kill them all instead? Anyway, they are all descenders, not truly dying, so it shouldn''t count as reckless killing... Chaotic murderous intent flickered in his pupils. Just as Zhu Haomiao was caught in frustration, a sudden commotion came from outside the lobby. "Motherfucker! It''s you again!" "Brothers! Attack!" Boom! The half-opened door was slammed open by a flying figure, and seeing their reinforcements arrive, both groups stood excitedly, ignoring Zhu Haomiao''s dangerous gaze, and once again hurled curses at one another. "You''re dead! This time I''m going to drive all of you out of the Illusion Realm!" "You''re the ones who should die!" At this point, the leading youth among the Angsa group noticed Zhu Haomiao''s gaze and bragged arrogantly. "What are you looking at? My brothers are here! Don''t think I''m afraid of you, a mere silver!" Seeing the other party''s behavior, fully demonstrating the saying "act like a coward when caught, act like a wolf when free," Zhu Haomiao inexplicably thought of a yapping toy poodle, and couldn''t help but curl up the corners of his mouth in amusement. There really are such shrimp second generations in the world... "What are you laughing at, motherfucker!" Clearly sensing the contempt and ridicule in the youth''s eyes, the blonde and blue-eyed youth blushed, overwhelmed by outrage. The other party''s gaze felt as if looking at an amusing dog! All his life, nobody had dared to despise and humiliate him like this!! The rage in his chest was stirred by some invisible authority, and the weak infantile Dao Heart was utterly unable to restrain the Original Sin, even forgetting the disparity between them, he raised his fist and charged at Zhu Haomiao with red eyes. "Screw you, yellow monkey!! I''ll let you laugh!!!" Calmly gazing at the punch flying towards his face, even though [Pupation] had sealed part of his power, Zhu Haomiao still had an inexplicable confidence to overlook everything. Knowing well that there was an element of [Pride] in it, Zhu Haomiao had no intention of restraining it. Because... that was inherently a part of his [Self Will]! The [Pride] engraved to the bone... Swoosh~ With a light tilt of his head, the punch grazed past his hair, Zhu Haomiao lifted a relieved smile, his expression turning sinister and thrilled. Okay, okay, you''re attacking me first, right? Now I''m not holding back! Senior Brother Feng... I, Zhu Haomiao, mean what I say, I will never kill indiscriminately, except in justifiable defense! A bloody crimson glimmer arose deep within his eyes, Zhu Haomiao tucked in and clawed, pressing a hand on the youth''s face, sidestepping and thrusting the back of his head onto the ground with a whooshing gale. Bang~ In a chilling dull thud, as if something empty exploded, the back of the youth''s head embedded into the floor entirely, his body going limp like noodles, instantly plunging into infantile sleep. Yellow and white viscous blood seeped out bit by bit, and Zhu Haomiao released his five fingers, revealing the twisted face with seven orifices oozing pulp, dead with unrequited eyes. [Anger]+60 [Greed]+40 The Sin unseen by others drifted off the corpse, darting into Zhu Haomiao like a swallow returning to the nest, causing him to raise a satisfying and enjoyable smile. Chapter 122 - 122: You have truly caused me a lot of trouble! As expected... Killing descenders doesn''t require any special ritual, you can directly harvest their Original Sin! Moreover, aside from these tangible gains, there are also some more mysterious, intangible things. Carefully sensing that trace of mystical aura attaching to him, gradually merging with his soul, Zhu Haomiao''s heart stirred, and a word flashed through his mind. Qi Fortune! "Even the death within the Illusion Realm of Initial Heavenly Position isn''t as harmless as it appears on the surface." "Every death is a wound to your Dao Heart and Fate Grid, and might even shorten your lifespan in reality." The content of Ye Wan Ning''s lecture floated before his eyes, and Zhu Haomiao experienced a flash of insight, as if he understood something. Dao Heart, Fate Grid, and even reality''s lifespan... All of it, surely, is connected to Qi Fortune! Killing a descender means seizing their Qi Fortune! Though the loss of a single death is small, almost negligible, if little by little it accumulates... In a moment of lightning and stone fire, thoughts churned in Zhu Haomiao''s mind, and a malevolent smile unwittingly tugged at the corners of his lips. Kill, kill, kill! Kill until rivers of blood flow!! The metallic scent of blood lingered at his nose, with restless murderous intent surging like a storm in his heart, Zhu Haomiao closed his eyes, using all his strength to suppress the unruly Original Sin. No! I promised Teacher Su E to be a good person! Promised Senior Brother Feng not to kill recklessly! So... I can only use justified defense! Upon opening his eyes, a distorted-faced, heavyset white guy roared and charged straight at him. "You dared to kill my brother!! Fuck you!" Watching the fat guy produce something resembling a Chicago typewriter, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils moved ever so slightly, transforming into a remnant shadow and disappearing from the spot. Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat~~ Dazzling tongues of flame spat out, nearly ten centimeters long, with the rain of bullets biting at Zhu Haomiao''s heels in relentless pursuit, turning the tables and chairs in his wake into a storm of splinters. Though his powerful reflexes and speed could not entirely dodge bullets, avoiding the line extended from the muzzle was relatively simple. Zhu Haomiao slid to the side like a phantom, easily evading the uncalculated fire of the fat guy, effortlessly closing in before him. "Fu~~" Before the F-word was even finished, Zhu Haomiao spread his fingers wide, his tiger''s mouth biting down like a real tiger''s gaping maw on the fat guy''s neck. Screech~ The voice stopped abruptly, the two passed each other in a blink, standing back to back. Zhu Haomiao discarded the indistinct mass of bloody flesh with trachea in hand, wiping the blood off his fingers on the fat guy''s back. While in front, the entire throat seemed chewed off by a monster, the fat guy''s body turned rigid and trembling, revealing a hideous, terrifying gash at the neck, exposing various fascias and organs to the air, twitching and spasming in agony, with even the deep-seated ivory cervical vertebra faintly visible. "Huh huh huh..." Amidst the sound of painful, ragged breaths like a broken bellows, the pressurized carotid artery sprayed out streams of fresh blood, cascading several meters ahead like a fountain. Thud~ Unable to support his bulk any longer, the fat guy collapsed like a gold mountain toppling a jade pillar, his fat rippling like water waves. [Gluttony] +70 [Sloth] +80 The imperceptible "Sin" was absorbed into the Book of Black, and Zhu Haomiao, looking at his hands stained with unremovable blood, pursed his lips helplessly. Why must you force me into justified defense? It''s all your fault, dirtying my hands! If I can''t take a civil service exam in the future, you all must take responsibility! As Zhu Haomiao''s mind wandered through nonsensical thoughts, another roar reached his ears. Turning to look, he found the main forces of both sides had stormed into the hall. Seeing his appearance, they seemed to have a misunderstanding and charged at him without hesitation. The Illusion Realm truly is excellent! No one fears death on average. If this happened in reality, everyone would probably be paralyzed with fear! Sigh... You''ve caused me to have to use justified defense again! You really are causing me trouble! A slight, uncontrollable upward curl tugging at his lips, Zhu Haomiao sighed, charging into the fray to meet the attack. Like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, his figure, not tall or imposing, penetrated the crowd like a sharp sword, leaving behind a trail of flying blood. "Ahhhh!!" Amidst the shrill cries of agony, Zhu Haomiao didn''t bother to discern, meting out justified defense to each individual impartially and justly. Every raise of a hand and lift of a foot carried lethal force; with punches and kicks accompanied by howling wind hitting the body, it could make one spiral into the air, spouting blood, internal organs shattered. If confronted with an attempt to block limbs, he''d shatter their bones, leaving them writhing in pain on the ground. Truly, just brushing against him results in injury, a hit spells death! "Come on! Motherf***er!" Yet in this terrifying onslaught, a black guy, over two meters tall, with bulging muscles, fearlessly charged in, mustering all his strength like a bull crashing into Zhu Haomiao. Watching the massive body charge like a tank, Zhu Haomiao concentrated, circulated Qi, activated Hard Qi Skill, planted his stance, drew his bow, and exerted force! Mountain-dodging shoulder! Thud! The two figures, one large and one small, collided without any embellishment, and amidst the dull thud of muscle colliding, the youth, who should have been sent flying, stood unmoved, while the robust, hefty shadow let out a pained scream, his shoulder cracking with a brittle sound, twisting grotesquely into the chest cavity. Subsequently, a larger portion of the chest cavity continued to collapse, sending the entire person flying back, traversing a dozen meters, violently crashing into the wall, slowly sliding down after a while, leaving a wall of crimson blood. Admiring the scene of his opponent pinned against the wall as if framed in a painting, Zhu Haomiao straightened up, scanning his surroundings. In the blood-soaked hall, the ground was littered with severed limbs and wailing culprits, alongside many more lying silently, a pool of blood seeping from beneath them. Seeing no one else rushing forward, necessitating his justified defense, Zhu Haomiao regrettably sighed. Sigh... Justified defense allows for only one strike, no finishing... After Pupation, my strength declined significantly, and I couldn''t finish them all in one go! What a pity... No, no! I am the victim here! I have Buddha''s heart, I am Buddha-hearted~ Amitabha Buddha! Good, good! Murmuring the Buddha''s name in his heart, Zhu Haomiao gave up on delivering the coup de grace, pursing his lips with unfulfilled craving. On the other side, seeing his expression of "unmet desires," several "survivors" cowered at the edges out of fear, trembling as they clung to each other. What kind of perverted killer is this?! Who on earth provoked him?! Wait! China Dragon Emblem? Isn''t it said that people from China generally have stable emotions and won''t kill randomly?! But seeing Zhu Haomiao survey the scene then directly walk towards them, the few were scared shitless, almost tumbling over each other. "Don''t come here, ahhhh!" "Killing tourists is a crime against humanity!" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "That''s right! We want to file a lawsuit with the Chinese authorities!!" ... Chapter 123 - 123: Small Punishment, Big Warning Listening to the incomprehensible screams from the other side, Zhu Haomiao frowned in confusion. "What massacre? They made the first move, I was just forced to defend myself!" Upon hearing this, they looked at the mountain of corpses and the sea of blood behind the young man, as well as the unlucky ones howling in agony with limbs twisted at bizarre angles. They swallowed dryly and subconsciously spoke their minds. "This is self-defense?" Hearing these guys actually doubt him, Zhu Haomiao''s face darkened, and he took another two steps forward. "What''s wrong with self-defense?" Seeing the psychopathic killer approaching quickly, their necks stiffened with terror, shrieking repeatedly. "Ah! Yes, yes, yes! You''re right! It''s self-defense! It''s self-defense! Don''t come over! Please, don''t come over!" Finally managing to hold back the killer, they had just started to relax when Zhu Haomiao spoke up. "Then clean up and tidy the mess you''ve made, I''m a benevolent person, I can''t stand the sight of blood." "....." Dammit, what do you mean by the mess we''ve made? Isn''t this bloodbath your doing? Can''t stand the sight of blood! Aren''t you afraid there isn''t enough blood?! Pulling at their lips, they wanted to speak but stopped, in the end, they swallowed the truth and nodded with grievance. "Yes..." "Also, properly compensate the owner... By the way, you even smashed my table of food!" sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Remembering the reason he got involved, Zhu Haomiao got even more irritated. First, I didn''t provoke any of you! Secondly, I didn''t provoke any of you! I was eating hotpot and singing songs, hugging a bunch of female devils while focusing on cultivation, and you all burst into my private room! Where''s the justice in this? Is there any law here? Are you even human? Clearly sensing the dangerous look in the eyes of the psychopathic killer in front of them, they shuddered and quickly spoke out of desperation. "We''ll compensate! We''ll compensate you!" They searched their pockets and handed over a thick wad of silver notes to Zhu Haomiao. Taking the thick pile of silver notes, the young man weighed it casually, estimating it to be several thousand taels, his expression instantly softened. "That''s more like it. As tourists, you should abide by the law and not mimic football hooligans brawling, causing trouble, it''s very uncivilized..." "....." We generally don''t kill people when we fight, you went for a full-on massacre, who''s the uncivilized one!! Their minds full of curses, yet their faces showed sincere remorse. "Yes, yes, yes, you''re right..." "Hmm, let today be a minor punishment, a major warning. Hopefully, you''ll take this as a lesson, and be law-abiding high-quality tourists in the future." "....." Out of instinct, they glanced over the mountain of corpses and sea of blood behind the young man, the scarlet blood almost covering the entire floor of the hall, and many who were just groaning in agony had gone completely silent. My Chinese isn''t good, don''t lie to me! You call this minor punishment, major warning? You turned the entire place into a river of blood! It sounds like you just gave a slight admonition? Though cursing inwardly, they nodded and bowed on the surface, fake-smiling, just hoping to get past this psychopathic killer quickly. "Yes, yes, yes, you''re right, we''ll certainly abide by the law, be united, friendly, and respect the local customs in the future." "Hmm." Upon hearing their promise, Zhu Haomiao nodded with satisfaction and strolled away from the blood-stained, terrifying hall. Not until seeing the psychopathic killer disappear from view did the survivors finally exhale deeply. Then, exchanging glances, they realized they were previously shouting to kill the enemy, and several people, who were hugging, sprang apart as if electrocuted. "You..." "You..." Instinctively wanting to spit out some harsh words, but suddenly realizing the current situation, both sides unanimously refrained and sighed with bitterness. "What do we do?" "Let''s collect the bodies first, then contact the night club owner for compensation..." "Do we really have to do what that guy said?" "What else?" "....." "Damn, I''m not coming to this Illusion Realm to play anymore, it''s giving me PTSD!" "No way! I''m going to complain about him at the Yanhuang Armory! It''s too much!" ........ Breeze by the refreshing sea, Zhu Haomiao leisurely strolled on the Bund at midnight, eagerly counting the silver notes in his hand. "Eight thousand nine... Nine thousand four!" "Nine thousand four hundred taels, tsk tsk, these tourists are really rich..." "Well, converting currency from reality into Illusory Realm currency, the purchasing power multiplies several times!" "Many pleasures are more cost-effective in the Illusion Realm, like gourmet food, beautiful women, even flying oil..." "I''ve heard many addicts abroad come to the Illusion Realm to satisfy their urges..." Muttering to himself, Zhu Haomiao sighed with emotion as he was about to tuck the silver notes away, when he suddenly sensed several shadows surrounding him. Seeing these ruffians carrying knives, guns, and clubs, surrounding him with ill intent, Zhu Haomiao frowned impatiently. After Pupation, not only did my strength drop significantly, but even my perception was weakened, until surrounded by mortals did I notice it... Too careless... "Little brother, the big brothers here are a bit tight on money recently, could you lend us some silver?" Noticing the greedy gaze focusing on the silver notes in his hand, Zhu Haomiao finally understood the true meaning of ''wealth should not be exposed''. In just a few minutes, he attracted a swarm of flies. But... why aren''t they afraid of me? Theoretically, as the Original Sin Level of the Illusionary Page increases, even if I do nothing, my mere existence should exert an invisible pressure on mortals. Puzzled, Zhu Haomiao suddenly had a flash of inspiration, two words flashed through his mind. Sloth! Pupation! I see! After Pupation, on a material level, it manifests as a part of my attributes being introverted and sealed. And on a spiritual level, the weakening of presence is just a passive side effect, the Pupa Shell also shields and weakens all my extraordinary auras, making me appear "ordinary" in outsiders'' eyes! No wonder those tourists rushed at me before, without the slightest fear! I thought it was because descenders have no fear of death, so they''re always so brave! They didn''t even beg for mercy from me! Wait... it seems like I didn''t give them a chance to beg for mercy either... His thoughts once again deviated, Zhu Haomiao quickly regained his composure, rubbed his chin, looked around, noticed a dark alley not far away, smiled, and said to the approaching thugs. "Borrow money, is it? Sure, let''s talk over there." Saying this, the young man walked straight into the dark alley, leaving the energetic social group bewildered. Seen sheep struggling or resisting, but never seen sheep voluntarily entering a dark alley! Chapter 124 - 124: I Am Truly a Genius~ This makes things easier, after all, mugging on the main road does attract attention... A group surrounded Zhu Haomiao, walking into a dimly lit alleyway. Under the faint streetlights, a few people caught a glimpse of the boy''s handsome features and excitedly whispered among themselves. "Boss, what a handsome little fat lamb, can we enjoy first later?" "You guys... out of all things, you like men...? Alright¡­ but I get to go first!" Catching the whispers behind him, Zhu Haomiao frowned slightly but soon relaxed. How could he be angry with a group of corpses? Respect the dead! Amitabha Buddha! Silently chanting the Buddha''s name in his heart, the figures quickly disappeared into the darkness of the alley. Soon, accompanied by a few abruptly cut-off whimpers, sinister ripples seemed to arise in the shadows deep within the alley, as if something terrifyingly evil was squirming and chewing. After more than ten minutes, an unburdened Zhu Haomiao emerged carrying several large sacks, humming a cheerful tune. "Love you lonely walking through the dark alley~" "Love your defiant stance against kneeling~" "Love you standing against despair~" "Refusing to cry~" ... Walking with light and cheerful steps, Zhu Haomiao reached the Huangpu River, casually stuffed a few large cobblestones into the sacks, and tossed them into the depths of the river. Plunk~ With the heavy splash, Zhu Haomiao clapped his hands and sighed regretfully. "No cement or barrels, sigh... I''m still too unprofessional..." "Forget it, I''ll see if there are any other life hacks on the forum when I get back..." Muttering to himself, Zhu Haomiao left the riverbank, grabbing coins out of thin air as he walked. "1, 2, 3, 4... 13... 15!" "Only 15 Gold Coins from so many people!" "Did you even try to commit crimes properly?" "Only this much [value]?!" Shaking his head in disappointment, Zhu Haomiao lamented. "Well, it''s money picked up on the way home, can''t demand more..." Admiring the neon lights of the bustling night, Zhu Haomiao slowed down, enjoying the scenery and pondering today''s conflict, gaining some insight. No wonder the country strictly controls ordinary people from entering the Illusion Realm, their survival skills are really too poor. Though they could be considered Transcendents compared to native locals, against professional [Ascension Contestants], it''s like primitive men against planes and tanks¡ªhardly a fight, more a massacre! He''s only at Silver Level, severely weakened by [Pupation]! Killing them was as easy as slaughtering chickens! Thinking this, Zhu Haomiao looked at the Illusionary Page of the [Book of Black]. [Gluttony]: LV.2¡úLV.4 (180/500) [Body]+5 [Essence]+3 [Sloth]: LV.2¡úLV.4 (31/500) [God]+4 [Qi]+4 Through a defensive act, the other Original Sins grew, but due to their high level didn''t directly upgrade. Instead, lower base [Gluttony] and [Sloth] caught up to the average. Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but entertain a bold idea. Massacres seem more efficient than hard cultivation! No Contribution Points, no Cultivation Technique needed, no [Greed Coins], no bottlenecks to break... Just let foreign commoners suffer, and strength naturally grows! With so many [tourists] in Shanghai, as long as I clean up well, no one should notice killing a small amount... After all, descenders don''t truly die, letting them suffer a bit... I''ll take the blame... As Zhu Haomiao''s breathing became rapid with excitement, a spirit light flashed in his mind, snapping him back to reality. Splat~ He gently slapped himself, forcefully calming the bloodthirsty eyes into clarity. Calm! Suffering only harms oneself! I promised Teacher Su E to be a good person! And promised Senior Brother Feng not to kill recklessly! Phew~ Releasing a long, slow breath, Zhu Haomiao suppressed the budding Original Sin in his heart, cooling his feverish mind. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao better understood why the country restricted ordinary people from entering the Illusion Realm! In many evil eyes, they really are delicious Blood Food! Wait... did I just insult myself in there too... I''m not an evil creature! "Stay true to oneself, do as one pleases~" "Stay true to oneself!" Silently reciting the words on the front page of the [Book of Black], the spirit light in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes grew transparent, gradually regaining calm. My heart, my actions, pure as a mirror, all for justice! Even killing, was forced justified self-defense! Exactly! I''m a partner of justice! An enemy of evil! Hater of evil¡ªZhu the Good! How could I take the initiative to massacre descenders? At most, in situations like today, when bullied to the face, tearfully retaliate, giving them a small punishment. Thinking seriously and analyzing carefully, Zhu Haomiao soon sorted his thoughts, nodding in satisfaction and realizing his bottom line. Don''t initiate, don''t reject, don''t take responsibility! Hiss~ I''m truly a genius~ Raising the corners of his mouth in pride, Zhu Haomiao resumed his steps, recalling something as he pulled a soft white strip from his bosom. Wiggling it twice, Diao Chan flopped like boneless mud. A silly thought crossed his mind. Oh no! My big mink has wilted! After a brief silly thought, Zhu Haomiao petted its little belly, hearing its even purring like a kitten, reassured. sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He had checked many times today, but this guy seemed dead to the world, undisturbed even during the fierce fight! After looking it over, confirming it just slept, Zhu Haomiao tucked it back in his bosom. Alright then... Keep sleeping, who can out-sleep you?! Leaving the city, reaching a remote wilderness, Zhu Haomiao opened a hidden secret passage, entering a complex underground labyrinth. The passage led straight to the "sleeping tomb underground palace", opening the intricate Seven-pointed Star bronze gate. As he prepared to end his fulfilling day and sleep well, a mysterious call emerged in his mind. "My Lord, please bless me... grant me power..." Raising his head to gaze into the void, sinister twisted black light rose in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes. Buzz~ In the depths of his consciousness ocean, the outline of a mysterious pyramid gradually emerged, atop which a closed [All-Knowing Eye] quietly opened. At the same time, a sturdy faith thread linked to the [All-Knowing Eye], forming a solid channel. Chapter 125 - 125: Suspicion Zhu Haomiao''s will detached from his body, followed the path, and despite the barriers of time and space, descended into the most "loyal" believer''s body. On the other side, in a brightly lit, luxurious and elegant banquet hall, Wilson suddenly opened his eyes, slightly raised his gaze, and looked at the beautiful girl in front of him with a half-smile. No wonder... Wilson would be so afraid as to pray for my blessing... Gazing momentarily at the pure gold eyes emitting a faint Holy Light, "Wilson" smiled slightly, calmly shifted his gaze, and looked at the handsome white man with a pipe nearby. "Mr. Sherlock, I didn''t quite understand your question." Meeting those deep and dark eyes, Sherlock Worth inexplicably trembled with the hand holding the pipe, subconsciously lowering his gaze, not daring to meet them directly. The beautiful girl beside him squinted her eyes even more, staring curiously at Wilson''s face. She could feel that at that moment, there was some kind of dramatic change in this native that even she couldn''t detect. Clearly nervous to the point of being unable to speak, afraid to meet her gaze, only able to close his eyes and tremble, suddenly he seemed like a different person! Not only did he calmly meet her gaze, that look was peaceful and deep, as if she were just an ordinary girl. At this moment, Sherlock Worth finally regained his composure, raised his gaze again, and stared at those dark and sinister pupils, calmly and coldly asking. "Mr. Wilson, I was asking if you have any leads on Mr. Liran Campbell. Before he disappeared, it seems there was a fierce conflict between you and his business association." Upon hearing this, Wilson smiled slightly. "Are you accusing me of being involved in Liran Campbell''s disappearance?" "No... I''m not..." Wilson waved his hand, interrupting Sherlock Worth''s explanation, and said leisurely but firmly. "Indeed, my business does overlap with Campbell''s in some areas, and there has been some friction and unpleasantness, but it''s all part of normal business competition and would not affect our friendship." Sherlock Worth: "......" Your so-called normal business competition means blowing up your opponent''s factory? Unable to adapt to the blunt competition of 19th-century capitalists, Sherlock Worth painfully rubbed his temples. "Moreover, I even invited him to the gatherings I organized before; we are actually quite close friends." "But after that gathering, it seemed his mental state suffered a severe shock, and he became extremely frantic." Wilson shook his head calmly, sincerely looking at Sherlock Worth. "I wouldn''t know about that, maybe he ran into some business problems..." Hesitating for a moment, Sherlock Worth sighed regretfully, extended his hand. "I see, thank you for your cooperation, Mr. Wilson." Shaking the other''s firm and slender hand lightly, Wilson smiled warmly. "It''s what I should do, Detective Sherlock." Having said this, Wilson meaningfully glanced at the serene and sacredly beautiful girl standing quietly beside Sherlock Worth. If not for knowing her identity, most people would think that this youthful girl was a follower of the mature Sherlock Worth. Yet "Wilson" recognized at a glance the being he had encountered once... Archangel Gabriel! Watching the pair disappear slowly, swallowed by the crowd at the banquet, Wilson squinted his eyes, a barely noticeable hint of darkness glimmering in his pupils. Meanwhile, on the other side of the banquet, Sherlock Worth''s lips moved silently, conveying words directly between the two. "Mr. Gabriel, did he lie?" "I don''t know." "Hmm??!!! You don''t know?!!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No one could lie under an Archangel''s scrutiny unless... Sherlock Worth shivered all over, goosebumps rising, a wave of fear surging in his heart suddenly. As if sensing his thoughts, Gabriel glanced at him calmly. "It''s not what you think. I just can''t see clearly. It seems that guy has a second layer personality. For such a peculiar soul, simple lie detection is not very meaningful." "And a more advanced mind reading, with my current strength, I cannot easily perform..." Hearing this, Sherlock Worth breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned again. "Does that mean investigating through conventional means?" "Yes, following the principle of who benefits most, they are the most suspicious. We should investigate all those involved in the division, the cultist should be among them..." "Uh... Mr. Gabriel, are you sure Liran Campbell was sacrificed by cultists?" Sherlock Worth filled with doubt. The commercial war of the 19th century was too "plain," it wasn''t covert assassination but overt killing! Today, you bring a group of gunmen to attack me! Tomorrow, I bring a group of gunmen to attack you! The day after tomorrow, we both use machine guns to shoot down rioting workers! And then blow the state tax officials to the sky! These capitalists are too wild, like a pack of hyenas, vultures, sharks! As soon as they smell a hint of blood, they pounce all together and divide the prey! As long as there is 300% profit, they dare to trample all earthly laws! No so-called reverence or rules! Marx''s Capital is still too conservative... More than just filthy blood flows in their pores; there is madness and the unspeakable... In Sherlock Worth''s eyes, Liran Campbell''s disappearance is simply the result of capitalists'' internal "plain" commercial war. In the dark jungle, when a beast bleeds, the surrounding bloodthirsty creatures swarm over and share it, it''s just their instinctive reaction, too common! Not to mention, Liran Campbell''s wealth was divided by the Qing Court and several major imperial powers'' dozens of native forces, Wilson was just one insignificant among them, is it possible they were all involved in cult activities? Knowing Sherlock Worth''s doubts, Gabriel merely shook his head calmly, and with an ethereal voice like a chant, he said softly. "I heard his prayer before he died." "I felt his despair, pain, and... repentance..." "I cannot lead him to Heaven..." "He is guilty!" Listening to the melodious murmurs like silver bells, Sherlock Worth felt as if struck by electricity, goosebumps rose high all over, looking at the girl''s eyes became more respectful, devout, fanatical... The plain words spoke of her supreme authority, she judged all of the world''s sins! Archangel Gabriel! She would sound the trumpet for the Doomsday Judgment! Even if Sherlock Worth was not a fanatic, he couldn''t help but kneel on one knee, looking up at the pure girl, asking the words his heart most desired. "My Lord, in the future... can I go to Heaven?" Gabriel gave Sherlock Worth a deep look, revealing a holy and beautiful smile. "Perhaps." ...................... Chapter 126 - 126: No Inside Ghost "Mr. Wilson, the salon is about to start, please come with me." The call by his ear brought Zhu Haomiao back to attention, he withdrew his deep and dark gaze and nodded with a smile to the attendant beside him. "Thank you." Following the attendant all the way to the concealed room on the third floor, in the spacious and luxurious hall, a group of well-dressed British gentlemen were talking and laughing merrily. When they saw "Wilson" walk in, a few of them clearly had a change in expression, with a look of displeasure in their eyes. More people, however, scrutinized him with an air of superiority and curiosity. Reading Wilson''s memory, Zhu Haomiao quickly understood these people''s identities; they were all elites and influential figures of Little Britannia in Qing Country. Some were big capitalists, some were dignitaries controlling Qing Country''s customs and taxes, and there were also those who came from the homeland as overseas dragon... A little over a year ago, in their eyes, Wilson was just a small fry. But after more than a year of aggressive growth, Wilson, the rising star whose reputation had skyrocketed, barely qualified to be in the same room with them! Looking around the room, Zhu Haomiao, who was originally planning to withdraw, became intrigued, sensing that these people gathered here certainly had no good intentions. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. No inside ghost! Keep talking, I''m listening! Smiling and nodding to them, Wilson found an inconspicuous spot and sat down calmly. His poised and elegant demeanor was surprising to many. Wasn''t this guy supposed to be a bloodthirsty mad dog? Why doesn''t he seem like it? Nevertheless, they paid little attention to this newcomer. After a glance, the room full of big figures continued their conversation. Not long after, the room''s door opened again, and a middle-aged white man in a resplendent military dress strode in with imposing grandeur, slowly entering with suffocating presence. In an instant, everyone in the room subconsciously tensed their nerves, sprang up with a swish, and watched the man with awe and tension. "Your Grace, the Duke!" "Sit." Ignoring everyone, he walked until he sat in the most honored seat, only then did the rest of them sit down in trepidation, some even only daring to sit on half of their seats, hovering at the chair''s edge. The entire room was suddenly enveloped in an invisible aura, no longer having the relaxed atmosphere from before. Following everyone else, "Wilson" stood up and sat down again, discreetly observing the man, his mind finding information about him. The Red Dragon Duke ¡ª Joseph Cristo! Commander-in-Chief of the Dai Ying Far East jurisdiction! A man with the power of life and death at his command! More crucially, there was an unprecedented terrifying pressure emanating from him. In a daze, it was as if the entire heavens and earth converged behind him and moved with his will! Enlightened, a term flashed through Zhu Haomiao''s mind. Child of Destiny! A figure favored by fate, playing a key role at the shift points on the world line... The darling of this whole Illusion Realm! More bluntly, he is this world''s [Main Character]! In an instant, Zhu Haomiao recalled something Feng Zhaobai had once mentioned offhandedly. "At my level, as long as I''m careful to avoid some Destiny Monsters in this realm, I can basically walk sideways..." Destiny Monster... Even dominance has to give way to the "Main Character"! Yet, not only did Zhu Haomiao not feel afraid, but he also felt an irrepressible excitement. Because the "Main Character" had unimaginable Qi Fortune concentrated on him! If he could thwart or even kill him... Narrowing his eyes, a faint black glint of [greed] spread in the depths of Zhu Haomiao''s pupils. However, Joseph Cristo, not far away, didn''t seem to notice the small fry in the corner, as he calmly swept his gaze around and spoke in a steady voice. "The reason for gathering you gentlemen here today is because there is something important." Pausing, and waiting for everyone to be mentally prepared, he slowly continued. "Her Majesty the Empress has heard God''s call. Before receiving the Lord''s grace, she wishes for the Empire''s crown to be embedded with the most precious gem in this world!" Upon hearing this, even though they were somewhat prepared, everyone couldn''t help but be shocked. In the corner, "Wilson" furrowed his brow, understanding only partially. God''s call? Is Victoria going to die? That makes sense... when counting the years, there aren''t many left¡­ So, what does she want to do before dying? Gem? Seems like a metaphor for something else... Wait! India is known as the most dazzling "gem" on the Dai Ying crown! His eyes slightly moving, Zhu Haomiao thought deeply, brows furrowing as he surveyed the entire room. All were real power figures of Dai Ying in the Far East, encompassing finance, politics, military... If they united, they could overthrow any country. Including my Dai Qing! As Zhu Haomiao pondered, a refined elderly gentleman spoke first, shaking his head helplessly. "Isn''t Bharat''s legal system enough? Qing Country''s China legal system... is very stubborn; it''s hard for them to submit to alien rule, unless..." Pausing, the old man sighed, saying each word deliberately. "Integrate with them!" Hearing this reversal, Joseph Cristo sneered and shook his head. "How can a superior civilization integrate into an inferior one?" "I want them to submit!" "These yellow-skinned monkeys, since they were willing to be slaves to the Jurchens, can also be our slaves!" Upon hearing this, the old man contemplated for a long while, still shaking his head. "Their core civilization is resilient, not easily changed. Defeating them is easy, but to crush them and establish effective control is extremely difficult." "The Jurchens were acknowledged only through active assimilation, obtaining the China Emperor legal system." "Moreover, their territory is so vast..." Upon hearing this, Joseph Cristo interrupted by waving his hand. "Professor Morton, militarily I will find a way to dismember it, you don''t need to worry." As he said this, Joseph Cristo clapped his hands, unveiling a curtain on the wall to reveal a large Dai Qing Territory Map. "Southwest Plateau will be allocated to Bharat, northwestern parts will be split between Empire and Russia..." "Part of the northeast will go to Russia, part to Japan, letting them fight, letting them bite..." "A portion of Lu State can be given to Deutschland..." "Liang Guang can be contested by the United States and Falanxi..." "To connect with the Southern Yue colony, Falanxi will definitely exert great effort..." "Italy..." "Austria-Hungary..." Holding a long teaching baton, Joseph Cristo pointed and marked on the territory map, arranging Dai Qing within a few words, clear as day. Zhu Haomiao: "..." You''re damn splitting the cake here! Even knowing the Illusion Realm and reality are two different things, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help a surge of anger in his heart. Because his own country once truly almost got partitioned! Chapter 127 - 127: Flashback Good, good, good... Are you playing a memory trick? If you want to talk about this, then I''m not sleepy anymore! Just wait for me to digest my attributes, and I''ll ambush your house every now and then! Grinding his teeth, Zhu Haomiao coldly curled his lips into a smirk. Like the other descenders, he originally didn''t plan to delve deeply into the changes of the local natives'' world line, maintaining a detached, carefree attitude. At most, he thought about messing with the Japan General during Jiawu, skimming a little from the Imperial Army. The main goal was still to plunder and collect Qi Fortune. But now, Joseph Cristo''s words stirred up many unpleasant memories for Zhu Haomiao, injecting a strong sense of involvement, making him a bit heady. He had habitually considered the Japan General as the first mortal enemy, resorting to "little idiot" when uncertain, a muscle memory thing... But now, thinking carefully, in this era, Little Britain is the real bastard! The thing is, its presence in future generations is too low, often playing the clown as the shame of the Five Permanent, making people overlook its past great betrayals... But it''s important to know, now it''s the late 19th century, when The Sun Never Sets Empire is at its zenith! If each country is seen as a personified whole, then Dai Ying is the sole main character of the world for two hundred years! A veritable Long Aotian! Joseph Cristo, such a Child of Destiny, Dai Ying definitely has more than one or two! So... What if we kill them all... The Empire falls, Heavenly Destiny collapses... Fast forward to Cao Pi... No, fast forward to the shame of the Five Permanent! With a flutter in his heart, Zhu Haomiao licked his lips, his eyes glinting with excited greed. But soon, Zhu Haomiao realized that with his current Silver Level small body, wanting to counter-kill even the dominance level [main character]? Daydreaming! So... still need to endure! Wait until I secretly develop for three years, then when Dragon King returns, no more endurance, I''ll shark them all! Unconsciously tilting his mouth into a grin, Zhu Haomiao was deep in thought when he suddenly heard discussions. "Disarming them from a military perspective alone is useless..." "This civilization has a strange centripetal cohesion, long divided must reunite, long united must divide..." "They have a peculiar mentality, on one hand, inferior, but deep down there''s a hint of pride, sometimes they even look down on us, thinking we are barbarians!" "They are still immersed in the dream of the Heavenly Dynasty, it''s time to wake them up." "We must let them know that inferior races cannot compete with superior ones!" "Exactly, we have to break their spine, make them like the peasants of Bharat, kneeling obediently to listen." "Actions on the cultural and social front should also unfold slowly, I previously had a newspaper under my control, wrote an article about the sick man of East Asia, it was quite effective, generating widespread discussion. I think we can have them dig deeper, reflect on the Qing people''s inferiority, forming theoretical support." "Agreed, I also have a few newspapers under my control, let''s form a narrative together, on one hand, promoting our elegance and nobility, on the other, belittling their ugly inferiority, making them willingly kneel as dogs!" "These wild, hard-to-tame yellow-skinned monkeys must be well-educated ideologically! Let them know what is superior civilization!" "Oh, weren''t they proud of their traditional martial arts? How about we find some people to challenge them?" "Hey? That''s a good idea, crush their pride one by one, and see how stiff they can remain?!" ...... In the whispers of discussions, a group of great betrayers of Britannia quickly formed conspiracies and schemes in political, military, economic, cultural, and other aspects. An informant listening on the side, eyes slightly squinted. No informant! Continue, with a strong sense of involvement, already getting angry! Waited until their discussion was almost over, Joseph Cristo stood up to make the closing remarks. "Our time is limited, five years!" "At most five years!" "We must dismember this country and incorporate it into the Empire''s territory!" "For this, we are willing to cede vast benefits to other powerful countries!" "After five years, the Empress will be crowned, annexing the world''s oldest, most orthodox, and most powerful Chinese Empire!" "The Empire will continue to ascend!" "Britannia will eventually rule the world!" With that, Joseph Cristo clapped his hands, a group of attendants filed in, serving glasses of champagne to everyone present. Then, Joseph Cristo raised his champagne, surveying the room, and lifted his fine wine high. "For the queen!" In an instant, everyone raised their glasses, shouting in unison. "For the queen!" ............ After a slight dizziness and weightlessness, consciousness detached from the container, returning to the body. Lying on the bed, Zhu Haomiao slowly opened his eyes with a meaningful smile, softly murmuring in a voice as thin as a mosquito. "For the queen!" Rising slowly, Zhu Haomiao raised his hand to grasp emptily, a dark, heavy book materializing in his hand. Following the young man''s will, the [Book of Black] automatically opened, revealing data on its Illusionary Page. [Greed]: LV.5 S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Jealousy]: LV.4 [Anger]: LV.5 [Gluttony]: LV.4 [Lust]: LV.4 [Sloth]: LV.4 [Pride]: LV.4 Since stepping on a Japan General last time, the Seven Deadly Sins have grown explosively. However, aside from the most basic attribute gains, the more important authority changes haven''t had the opportunity to be tested. The capital for causing trouble is still noticeably insufficient, unable to deliver a diverse blow to Dai Ying and little idiot, let alone other indigenous powers eyeing covetously... At least advancing to dominance level is needed, possibly to disrupt an empire single-handedly... Before that, he can only engage in small skirmishes, stealth attacks... Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao touched his stomach. After [Gluttony] advanced to LV.4, the four-dimensional stomach''s capacity increased further, he can now really eat a few cows in one meal! Plus, digestion ability also improved, meaning the same food can provide more nutrition... Also, there seem to be other wonderful uses waiting for him to explore. And [Sloth]... Furrowing his brow to keenly sense, after a long while, Zhu Haomiao''s eyelids twitched slightly. Can the digestion speed of [Pupation] and [Deep Sleep] stack? Not just that... Zhu Haomiao suppressed his heart''s racing, looking at the Illusionary Page in the [Book of Black]. The next second, countless gray-white threads spread from the void, wrapping around the young man once again. Simultaneously, a golden light shot from the [Book of Black], slowly merging with Zhu Haomiao''s gradually forming [Pupa Shell], disappearing into the depths of his spirit and body. A fierce weakness enveloped his body and mind instantly, Zhu Haomiao moved his limbs unnaturally, taking a long time to adapt to the weakened spirit and body. Chapter 128 - 128: Inhibition Strength Double [Pupation]! Double self-sealing! This brings double digestion speed! If stacked with [Deep Sleep], the digestion growth ability will be increased to four times the normal limit! The key is, I practically have two [Breakthrough Slots] now! Break through the bottleneck of two cultivation techniques at once, double the joy! But the cost is quite high... After a careful examination, Zhu Haomiao found that after double self-sealing, his various attributes are only slightly stronger than an ordinary person''s, around the mid-level of Black Iron. Directly dropped by two energy levels! If I don''t use the authority of the [Book of Black], I''m probably on par with those [tourists] now! At the same time, Zhu Haomiao also noticed a small detail. The cultivation technique breakthroughs achieved by [Pupation] from a conceptual perspective have become inert. Before [Breaking the Cocoon], I simply can''t utilize their extraordinary power! In other words, despite mastering three basic forces, the only one I can use now is [Storage Explosion]... However, the realm of [Storage Explosion] isn''t high at the moment, the power storage time is incredibly long, enough time for the enemy to kill me a hundred times! This state is a bit dangerous... Although in critical moments, I can actively remove the seal, forcefully break the cocoon, and tear open the pupa shell... But brewing the breakthrough bottleneck will also fail at the last hurdle, and next time I''ll have to start [Pupation] all over again... Smacking his lips, Zhu Haomiao peacefully lay on the bed, covering himself with a blanket. Sleep peacefully... Just like the transforming dragons and snakes, lurking beneath the nine lands, quietly awaiting the awakening... ......... Gurgle gurgle~ A groggy consciousness was awakened by a gnawing hunger, Zhu Haomiao slowly opened his eyes, hearing the thunderous rumbling echoing in the empty room. Gurgle~ Gurgle~ The internal organs squirmed, roaring, expressing how famished they were! Every cell in the body, every thread of the divine soul, was like parched, cracked earth, longing for the rain to fall from the sky. It took several seconds to fully awaken, Zhu Haomiao sat up, rubbed his stomach, and sent his divine thought towards the [Book of Black]. [Gale Force]: LV.3¡úLV.4 (Small Success) [Dexterity] +4 [Divine Thought] +1 The first thing that caught his eye was the [Gale Force] that had undergone transformation at some unknown time. Noticing that the final great perfection bottleneck of [Stacked Waves Strength] still hadn''t been broken through, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes moved downward, suddenly lighting up with a glimmer. [Divine Thought]: 12¡ú19 (4)¡ü [Dexterity]: 14¡ú21 (2)¡ü [Strength]: 16¡ú23 (6)¡ü [Essence]: 16¡ú23 (1)¡ü [Qi]: 15¡ú22 (6)¡ü S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Body]: 16¡ú23 (5)¡ü A deep sleep, the six-dimensional attributes increased by an average of 7 points! This is equivalent to two or three months of growth efficiency! No wonder it consumed all the stored nutrition in the four-dimensional stomach! More importantly... Looking down at his chest, seeing the originally bright silver [Dragon Emblem] turn into brilliant gold, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but purse his lips. Golden Level! Even among the [Ascension Contestants], I''m considered a master! And that''s without considering the [Cultivation Realm] and the authority of the [Book of Black]! If I go all out, can I contend with hegemony? Subconsciously clenching his fist, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a few seconds, then shook his head. Difficult! The gap between Purple Gold Dominance and Gold is probably even greater than between Gold and Black Iron! Moreover, the cultivation realm of hegemony might not be inferior to mine, perhaps even stronger! And in their realm, who doesn''t have a trick or two up their sleeve? As long as they slightly negate the authority of the [Book of Black], I could be overwhelmed in all aspects! So... a newly promoted rookie Gold shouldn''t dream of matching hegemony... Weak! Just have to train more! Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao raised his head, gazing into the void, his deep eyes seemingly piercing through the thick layer of earth, reaching the nine-layered heaven above. In the unseen forces, he felt a trace of suppression. From the world, the Great Dao, the suppression of rules! As if crossing an invisible boundary, his very existence has become a burden on this world! Though just a hint, he faintly saw the limit of the First Layer Heaven! So... after reaching the Golden Level, every step forward will become more difficult. The concrete manifestation is that the growth rate will gradually slow down until it completely stops! By then, staying in the First Layer Heaven will be meaningless, it should be time to ascend to a higher heavenly position sooner... Mysteriously, Zhu Haomiao thought of certain elderly monsters in Xianxia novels who are unwilling to ascend and forcibly remain in the mortal realm. But then he shook his head with a young man''s laugh. Among the billions of descenders at the Initial Heavenly Position, how many can touch the plane''s limit before ascending? The vast majority are opportunists, ascending with silver, bronze, or even black iron energy levels. These people are destined not to go far. No matter which layer of heavenly position they reach, they are fated to be bottom-feeding ants! The more you want to reach the High Sky Rank, the deeper your foundation needs to be... There''s even a saying, that if you want to ascend to the nine-layered heaven, every step of your ladder must be forged with Purple Gold! Gurgle gurgle~ At this moment, the intense rumbling of his stomach interrupted Zhu Haomiao''s deep thoughts. The young man flipped out of bed, patted his cheeks, looked around, and sighed slightly. This safe house is good for everything, except you can''t order takeout... Have to go out to eat myself... Sigh... you can''t have it both ways... Shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao opened the heavy seven-pointed star bronze gate, and suddenly felt something, looking down at himself. Due to the suppression of the Great Dao, just one [Pupation] digestion speed had slowed to a worrying pace... Still need double the joy! With a thought, Zhu Haomiao grabbed the void, casting more than a dozen [greed coins] into the [Book of Black]. [Gale Force]: LV.4 (Small Success¡¤Bottleneck) Nearly a decade of virtual memories surged into his mind like a flood, practicing diligently from dawn till dusk, finally cultivating the Fourth Level [Gale Force] to its limit, touching an invisible bottleneck. Perhaps due to the great enhancement in the [Divine Thought] attribute, Zhu Haomiao easily digested the massive memories, as if personally experiencing nearly ten years of arduous cultivation in an instant! Carefully comprehending the profoundness of the cultivation technique, the young man nodded in satisfaction. As expected, my realm today is entirely due to my extraordinary talent and diligent cultivation! Without the slightest bit of fraud! [Book of Black]! Add points! With a thought, the intangible gray-white threads formed out of thin air, weaving around the young man''s body into a solid [Pupa Shell] on the conceptual level. Continuing to put the small success bottleneck of [Gale Force] into metamorphosis, Zhu Haomiao clenched his fist, a hint of excitement in his eyes. Compared to before the sleep, and the Black Iron after the double sealing, it seems I can barely maintain Bronze Junior-level strength now... Chapter 129 - 129: Psychology Invisibility Although still significantly weakened, self-protection shouldn''t be much of a problem on a daily basis. Besides, who''s going to deliberately target someone as harmless and kind-hearted as me? Clearing his mind, Zhu Haomiao left the safe house satisfied, urged by his ravenous hunger towards the Xinghua House in the city. Rushing all the way in a seemingly leisurely manner, the young man suddenly remembered something, checked the deposits in his pocket, and counted just over 80 greed coins, a trace of anxiety welling up in his heart. This amount of money is not enough to Krypton Gold all the cultivation techniques to Great Perfection... I need to come up with a way to conduct a sacrifice ritual, and gather some reserve funds... Wilson''s "believers" over there are increasing in number; with each responsible for one or two sacrifices, gathering materials for a sacrifice is quite easy. The only risk is someone seems to have grown suspicious of him, he needs to act more discreetly. Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils slightly contracted, and his steps suddenly halted. Wait a minute! That person seems to be investigating cultists! But why did they end up tracing it back to Wilson?! Is Wilson a cultist?! The target of his sacrifices... What?!! The Evil God is actually me?!! Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Zhu Haomiao took a sharp breath, clenched his fists in grief and indignation, trembling all over, breaking out in cold sweat in the heat of the day! Can this society get any better? A bright and cheerful young man like me, being falsely accused as an Evil God??! Is there any justice in this? Is there any law in this? Even though my methods are a tiny bit cruel, my intentions are good! Removing those scoundrels only makes the world a better place! And I can earn some gold coins on the side! A win-win! No, a multi-win! Why don''t you understand? A sense of misunderstood grief welling up in his heart, Zhu Haomiao clenched his fists and let out a long sigh. This world is filled with misunderstandings and oppression of "Evil Gods". When will we "Evil Gods" truly stand up?! Chaotic emotions stirring in his mind, it was a while before the young man composed himself and resumed walking. ............ Arriving at Xinghua House, as Zhu Haomiao stepped through the door, he suddenly paused, realizing something, and slowly backed out. Retreating to a standstill, Zhu Haomiao observed the waiter''s scanning gaze at the entrance, which swept over him several times without any response, as if... he was merely an inconspicuous object! Remembering the waiter''s previously obsequious attitude, Zhu Haomiao narrowed his eyes and deliberately walked in and out of the door several times in front of him. Yet the waiter''s attention remained focused elsewhere, never once lingering on him! Pondering this for a few seconds, the young man slapped the waiter on the shoulder. "Huh?" The waiter jumped in fright, glaring at Zhu Haomiao with a mix of anger and shock. But upon seeing the young man''s face, the waiter''s irritated look quickly turned to confusion; the familiar visage seemed very recognizable, yet he couldn''t recall at the moment. After scrutinizing him for a full three seconds, his pupils widened bit by bit. "Mr. Zhu!" "Oh dear, look at me being so blind! I deserve a beating!" Watching the waiter slap his own face, apologizing earnestly, Zhu Haomiao gently stopped him and casually probed. "Did you not sleep well yesterday? It seemed like you were a bit distracted earlier; I went in and out several times and you didn''t notice." Upon hearing this, the waiter grew more bewildered: "You went in just now?" Impossible, I was watching closely... wait, it seemed like something was flickering... "Yes." Zhu Haomiao smiled meaningfully without further explaining, stepping into the door first. Behind him, the waiter hesitated, unable to figure it out, quickly pulling himself together and following closely. "Mr. Zhu, this way upstairs please!" Upon reaching the private room, Zhu Haomiao sat down and skillfully ordered from the waiter. "Please ask the chef to prepare a banquet for two hundred people, at the highest standard, please." The waiter froze in place upon hearing this. "Two hundred portions?? Just for you?" "Yes, just start with that, I''ll order more if needed." More? Order again? Knowing you have a big appetite, isn''t your capacity a bit Non-human? Listening to the young man''s words, the waiter''s eyes grew blank, words welled up yet couldn''t come out, eventually settling on a dry laugh, bowing and nodding. "Understood, please wait a moment, I''ll immediately arrange it with the kitchen." "Please ask the chef to hurry, I''m quite hungry." "Right away!" Watching the waiter dash out of the private room, Zhu Haomiao peered at the direction he left, narrowing his eyes in contemplation. According to his reaction at the entrance just now... After a second Pupation, with the concepts of Pupa Shell layered, my presence was further diminished, reaching a transcendent Anomaly level! Just like Lust''s supernatural charm, it has evolved into a certain type of Supernatural Phenomenon! Strangely, the young man recalled an ability from a certain novel he had read. Psychology Invisibility! Just like how one can see one''s nose tip but the brain subconsciously ignores and filters it out. My current state feels similar, hidden in a psychological blind spot, seen by everyone yet subconsciously ignored and blocked! No wonder... Previously, due to Lust''s transcendent charm, I was constantly the center of attention on the streets, especially from those fascinated ladies, whose burning gazes seemed ready to devour me! But this time, I haven''t caught anyone''s attention, not even a momentary gaze from passing pedestrians. It''s as if... I were merely a lamp post or stone pillar... However, this is only effective on mortals; with transcendent God attributes, they wouldn''t completely fail to notice me. At least it weakens their effective detection range! Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Originally detectable from a hundred meters, now maybe only ten meters is needed for exposure. This ability should be quite useful for assassination... Gleaning some understanding as he stroked his chin, as Zhu Haomiao pondered, the first dish was brought to the table. Setting a bowl of rice on a small table to the side, the waiter fawningly said. "Mr. Zhu, the kitchen was worried you''d be starving; we''ve brought a few dishes in advance to whet your appetite, more are on the way." "Thank you, much appreciated." "It''s our duty, absolutely our duty." Picking up a piece of glowing dish and placing it into his mouth, Zhu Haomiao suppressed the hunger roaring within him, calmly and slowly chewing. Restrain Gluttony, Dao Heart +1 Almost... almost... With my dedicated cultivation, Dao Heart is about to upgrade! Chapter 130 - 130: Close Master and Servant, Clear Accounting The Book of Black can almost fulfill any wish you have, except for the Dao Heart. You can only hold on to the enchantress, endure hunger, and train bit by bit. Sigh¡­ I really am too diligent and hardworking¡­ Can''t do it! I''ll go to the nightclub for some hard training later! With thoughts scattered and jumping illogically, Zhu Haomiao suddenly remembered something and pulled out a big ferret from his bosom. He shook the soft and limp Diao Chan, lifting it over the steaming, glowing dishes. The rich, delicious aroma surrounded it, and the silly ferret, which was as limp as mud, responded by twitching its tiny nose with closed eyes. Sniiiiff~ Sniffing left and right like a little mouse, its drowsy big eyes slowly opened, seeing the delicious food underneath. "Squeak!!" Its cute, goofy eyes instantly turned sharp, and Diao Chan instinctively wriggled madly, wiggling its little butt to grab the food. The immense strength coming through his hands made Zhu Haomiao''s face change slightly. Even though I''m currently in a state of double sealing with only Bronze Junior strength, can this little thing shake me off with just a twist? No way, right? He quickly held Diao Chan steady with both hands, Zhu Haomiao ordered in a low voice. "Don''t move!" Freshly awakened from a chaotic slumber, Diao Chan immediately snapped back to its senses and turned its head to cutely fawn at Zhu Haomiao''s face. "Squeak squeak squeak~~~" "..." Hugging the adorable creature, he rubbed its belly and noticed it seemed very hungry too. Zhu Haomiao frowned slightly. "Sit still." Placing Diao Chan on the table, the young man took out another plate and served it various dishes. He didn''t stop until the dishes piled higher than it when it stood up, Zhu Haomiao nodded in satisfaction. "Eat up." "Squeak~~" Watching his pet wolf down the food, Zhu Haomiao turned his attention back to himself, suppressing the Gluttony, and chewed slowly, unhurriedly. Subsequent dishes arrived like flowing water, but with the continuous eating of both him and the pet, the plates on the table were never full. The meal lasted from day to night, and the serving maid went from shocked and panicked to numb, finally moving back and forth like a robot, with only confusion left in her eyes. Where did all that food go? The adorable exotic beast at the table was eating non-stop! They kept eating until Xinghua House was about to close, then Zhu Haomiao finally stopped, satisfied, and stood up, stretching lazily. [Gluttony] +50, [Dao Heart] +2 "Awesome!" "Bill, please!" With a grand motion, the shopkeeper, who had been waiting for a long time, approached carefully, presenting an exquisite, elegant leather-bound book, flipping to reveal a thick stack of detailed bills. "Mr. Zhu, the total is 1638 taels, but you can pay 1600 taels." Skimming through the densely filled pages of the menu, Zhu Haomiao realized how much he had eaten and couldn''t help but secretly click his tongue. He practically ate Xinghua House''s entire stock! Casually, he pulled out a thick stack of silver notes, took two 1000-tael notes, and slapped them into the shopkeeper''s hands. "Keep the change; let the kitchen staff and those who served us have the rest. They''ve worked hard today." The shopkeeper''s hands trembled reflexively under the weight of the silver notes, even he, who had seen much of the world, was taken aback, followed by overwhelming joy. As expected of the noble, spending like this is beyond mortals! Too generous! "Thank you, Mr. Zhu, for your generosity! Thank you, Mr. Zhu!" Amidst the shopkeeper''s fawning thanks, Zhu Haomiao nodded lightly and picked up Diao Chan, who was still stuffing rice into its cheeks, and casually tucked it into his bosom. "Let''s go!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Striding out of Xinghua House, under the send-off from the entire staff, the young man gracefully drifted away, bathing under the hazy moonlight, heading towards the bright lights of the Public Leased Territory. Tonight, the moon is bright and few stars; it is perfect for a trip to the brothel for some music~ No, no! It should be called Red Dust Heart Refining! But halfway through, Zhu Haomiao gradually slowed his pace, frowning in difficulty. With the increase in the God attribute, he became more sensitive to subtle changes on the soul level. Mysteriously, he realized, he was starting to show slight signs of being Lost¡­ LV.2 Dao Heart''s endurance is still not enough¡­ I haven''t done much, and now I need to return to the real world to recuperate¡­ He sighed, turned his steps, and slowly headed towards the "Safe House" in the suburbs. "Squeak~" Fluffy Diao Chan popped out from inside his clothing, happily licking the boy''s chin. "Had a good meal today, right?" "Squeak squeak squeak~" "Very well, we, as master and servant, must keep clear accounts. Today, at least half of this meal went into your cheeks, so let me give you a discount and call it 3000 taels." "Squeak?!!" "It''s okay if you can''t pay yet; I can offer you an installment plan!" "Squeak??" "Don''t worry! How could I ever scam you? With our relationship, I''ll give you the best loan interest rate, 20% annual!" "Squeak?" "With thirty years of equal principal and interest, you only need to repay¡­ 50 taels a month!" Staring at his master''s five raised fingers, Diao Chan blinked with innocent confusion, tilting its head. "Isn''t it a good deal? You just need to pay less than 2 taels of silver a day on average! You''ll never find a deal this good in your life! Hurry and thank me!" Even though it didn''t understand a word its master was saying, it didn''t stop Diao Chan from sticking out its pink little tongue, wildly licking the boy''s chin. "Squeak squeak squeak~" "Licking won''t work; I won''t lower the interest for you. Besides, you''re already a mature silly ferret, you need to learn to perform to pay off your debt!" Talking playfully to his pet, Zhu Haomiao returned to the deep underground "bedroom," closing the heavy doors. Full and satisfied, Sloth, activate! Thump thump thump thump thump~~~ Lying on the bed, accompanied by an imaginary BGM, Zhu Haomiao closed his eyes, and pure white seemed to appear before him. In the depths of his consciousness ocean, a mystical Evil Pyramid slowly materialized, countless strands of faith light beams, thin and thick, anchored the tip like chains, as if a miniature sun radiated brilliant light. Sloth! Show me your limits! Go idle! Return! As the last thread of consciousness withdrew, his physical body''s breathing slowed and heartbeats gradually ceased, like a stubborn stone sinking into absolute stillness. ............ In the top-floor office of Yanhuang Armory, Feng Zhaobai held a stack of documents, looking at the bloody and brutal photos within, frowning heavily with worry. "Are we sure it''s Junior Brother Zhu''s doing?" "Pretty sure. One of the victims happened to have watched his match and identified him before dying; now they''re protesting in this world." "Tsk~" Putting down the documents, Feng Zhaobai sighed deeply. Chapter 131 - 131, You always manage to come up with new tricks A group of fighting tourists¡ªif they die, they die. Every year, these reckless people ''die'' several times over, their corpses connected end to end, enough to circle the Earth a few times. At most, you send out a meaningless apology letter in your own name. The key is that Junior Brother Zhu''s mental state is worrisome... Sometimes he''s foolishly naive, other times erratic... Even if the other party is at fault, his reaction is way too extreme. At the slightest disagreement, he goes on a rampage; the scene photos resemble a slaughterhouse, with blood covering the entire hall! This won''t do! Next time I see him, I must have a good talk with him! Descenders are people too, and a tourist''s life is also a life¡ªyou can''t just kill randomly! As Feng Zhaobai contemplated with a frown, Wang Hua hesitated for a while before speaking hesitantly. "Actually, these are minor issues. I have more important intelligence regarding Junior Brother Zhu." Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai perked up and looked at him seriously. "What information?" "See for yourself." Wang Hua handed him a document, the content of which left Feng Zhaobai puzzled. "Illusion Realm immigration records? Why are you even looking at this stuff?" "Exactly. Normally, nobody pays attention to this. I checked it on a whim and found something unusual." "What did you find?" "Look carefully at Junior Brother Zhu''s record." Scanning through it quickly, Feng Zhaobai''s eyes suddenly widened in confusion. Seeing Feng Zhaobai''s reaction, Wang Hua grimaced. "Since he last exited, there haven''t been any official Gate entry or exit records, which conflicts with the timing of his last competition!" "Could it be a mistake in the records?" "The data is automatically entered; you have to scan the Dragon Emblem three times and confirm five times, making errors nearly impossible." Feng Zhaobai remained silent for a moment, his frown deepening. "Private Sect?" "No, why would he bypass the free and safe official Gate to use a Private Sect?" Hearing Feng Zhaobai''s muttering, Wang Hua hesitated for a moment before daring to guess. "Is there a possibility... that Junior Brother Zhu can open the door himself!" "Hiss~" Even Feng Zhaobai gasped at this conjecture, shocked by the suggestion. After pondering for a moment, Feng Zhaobai hesitated before shaking his head. "Highly unlikely. Junior Brother Zhu''s spiritual power is far from sufficient to pierce through illusion and reality, let alone form a stable passage¡­ Unless¡­" Before he could finish, Wang Hua calmly supplemented. "Unless it''s anchored by faith! Given his position, it''s possible." Feng Zhaobai: "..." The room fell into a long silence, and Feng Zhaobai rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table, his gaze unfocused as he stared out the window. Not disturbing his thoughts, Wang Hua stood quietly beside him and only after a while did he hear a response. "I understand the situation; classify it as top-secret and prevent any leaks." "Understood." Nodding, just as Wang Hua was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to Feng Zhaobai. "Oh, there''s another matter related to Junior Brother Zhu that I feel you should know." "What is it?" "Remember the Susano-o who was stomped to death by Junior Brother Zhu before?" "I remember." "In the Ascension Competition''s internal network, he hasn''t been delisted or disqualified." "What do you mean?" "Meaning, he might not be dead and still retains his qualification to participate!" Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai frowned, murmuring, "I''m certain he was lifeless at the time¡­" Yet, recalling Susano-o''s real identity and his two sisters, a revelation dawned on Feng Zhaobai. The authority to resurrect is an impossible miracle for mortals, but for a reincarnated immortal descender from High Sky Rank, it''s just a matter of what they''re willing to pay... No wonder they wanted to take the body; I originally thought it was just to prevent Junior Brother Zhu from desecrating it... Thoughtfully pursing his lips, Feng Zhaobai nodded at Wang Hua. "Understood. I''ll keep an eye on this intel." "Hmm." After the briefing, Wang Hua exited the office. Once he left, Feng Zhaobai took out a tablet and, using his authority as the highest responsible in Yanhuang Armory for this local dimension, elevated Zhu Haomiao''s immigration inquiry privileges to administrator level. Looking at the name completely erased from the surface system, Feng Zhaobai sighed helplessly. "You always manage to stir up new troubles for me..." ............ Buzz~ In a dark chamber deeply hidden beneath the earth, a figure awoke slowly after more than twenty days of slumber. Sloth +20 A strange, twisting dark light flickered in the deep pupils, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, sending ripples through the room''s space-time continuum. Sitting up slowly, feeling the immense power roaring within, Zhu Haomiao had the illusion he could tear the earth apart with one punch! Adjusting to the explosive growth in power, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the Book of Black''s records. Stacked Waves Strength: LV.5¡úLV.6 (Perfect) Strength +7 S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Body +3 Essence +3 A rich golden light flooded his vision, as if undergoing a qualitative metamorphosis, the words Stacked Waves Strength on the Illusionary Page of the Book of Black twisted, gradually deforming into a mysterious rune. The faint seven-colored divine light flickered and shined, even permeating the book pages, consolidating the same symbol on the Reality Page representing the real-world dimension! Seeing that beautifully glistening rune, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils dilated. Intuitively, he knew that the illusion had penetrated reality, allowing him to use the Extraordinary Power of Stacked Waves Strength even in the true, unaltered world! A torrent of ecstasy surged in his heart, and Zhu Haomiao instinctively wanted to return to reality, but he quickly suppressed his excitement. Calm down! This thing isn''t going anywhere! It can wait until the next return test... Sighing out a breath, Zhu Haomiao''s gaze continued downward, looking at the records in the Book of Black. Gale Force: LV.4¡úLV.5 (Great Success) Dexterity +4 God +2 Qi +2 An amazing sense of clarity enveloped his spirit, as if he could sense the air movements within several meters around him. Even angles invisible to the naked eye seemed to give off a subtle, blurred signal. Zhu Haomiao realized that if there were an attack or malicious intent, his senses would be more acute and precise! Compared to Stacked Waves Strength''s development on a purely physical level, Gale Force seemed to focus more on the mind, more restrained! Blinking his eyes, Zhu Haomiao dismissed distractions and focused on his most important six-dimensional attributes. Chapter 132 - 132: The Lives of Westerners Are Also Lives [God]:19¡ú25 [Dexterity]:21¡ú27 [Strength]:23¡ú31£¨5£©¡ü [Essence]:23¡ú27 [Qi]:22¡ú30 [Body]:23¡ú31 Seeing his six-dimensional attributes skyrocketing in all aspects, Zhu Haomiao took a slow, deep breath, his mouth involuntarily curling into a manic grin. I declare! [Sloth] is the greatest driving force for human progress! Bar none! Getting up from bed, Zhu Haomiao gently stretched his limbs, accompanied by a series of crisp pops from his joints. A little white head poked out from his collar, curiously snorting. "Chirp!" "What''s with the chirping, you startled thing~" Rubbing Diao Chan''s head, he pushed it back into his embrace, then raised his head toward the closed door, a sinister smile playing on his lips. The three-year period is over; the Dragon King returns! Gurgle~ His mouth, twisted into a Nike swoosh, suddenly stiffened as Zhu Haomiao clutched his growling stomach, smacking his lips in frustration. The quadruple digestive growth speed sure feels great, but the consumption is astounding! I stocked up on so much nutrition before I went to sleep, and after a nap, more than twenty illusory days were gone! Forget it, let''s head to [Xinghua House] for some fries first... Taking a stride, Zhu Haomiao left the hidden "safe house" and headed straight for [Xinghua House] in Shanghai. After a feast of wild eating and stuffing, his four-dimensional stomach was filled with food, only then did the boy leave [Xinghua House], satisfied under the farewell fit for a father from the entire staff. [Gluttony]+55, [Dao Heart]+2 Walking on the road to [Yanhuang Armory], Zhu Haomiao glanced at his attributes, eyes filled with anticipation. Dao Heart: LV.2 (193/200) After nearly two years of grinding in the Illusion Realm, the dawn of [Dao Heart] leveling up has finally been seen! With a tranquil good mood, the boy passed through an invisible membrane and stepped into the gate of [Yanhuang Armory]. The spacious hall was still bustling with youthful energy, young people from all over the world bursting with vigor and spirit. But when Zhu Haomiao stepped inside, many instinctively halted their conversations, casting stunning gazes towards him. Without the concealment of [Sloth]''s pupa shell, the transcendent charm of [Lust] radiated freely, making the calmly walking boy appear with a "filter aura" in others'' eyes. Every gesture and step seemed straight out of a comic, noble, perfect, dreamy... Many open-minded, bold individuals instinctively wanted to approach for a chat but stopped themselves when they saw the dazzling [Dragon Emblem] on his chest. If it were silver, there might be a chance for some casual... uh, friendship... But gold... This kind of Heaven''s Chosen Son, among Heaven''s Chosen Sons, is simply not someone ordinary people can covet. Just admiring from afar is enough... Basking in the heated gazes from all sides, Zhu Haomiao calmly walked to the front desk. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Is Senior Brother Feng in? I have something to discuss with him." "Oh, Director Feng is here, please follow me!" It took a full second for the front desk girl to react, her cheeks flushing as she recognized Zhu Haomiao, leading him directly upstairs. Knock knock~ "Come in." Upon hearing the steady voice from behind the solid wood door, the front desk girl pushed open the gate, gesturing for Zhu Haomiao to enter. "Director Feng, Mr. Zhu Haomiao is here to see you." Feng Zhaobai, who was processing paperwork, saw a tall figure enter the office. He raised an eyebrow slightly, chuckling as he stood up to greet him. "Junior Brother Zhu, long time no..." Before he finished speaking, Feng Zhaobai noticed the dazzling [Dragon Emblem] on the boy''s chest, and his initially warm smile suddenly froze. With an almost imperceptible pause, Feng Zhaobai quickly returned to normal, shaking the boy''s hand with an unchanged expression. "Long time no see." "Yes, Senior Brother Feng, I have something I''d like to report." "Come, sit, and tell me slowly." Guiding the boy to the couch in the office, Feng Zhaobai personally brewed a pot of tea, pouring for both of them. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao organized his words and recounted the intel he had secretly overheard last time to Feng Zhaobai, word for word. "Senior Brother Feng, Little Britain has sinister ambitions, how should we respond?" Seeing the eager expression on the boy''s face, both indignant and slightly excited, Feng Zhaobai remained silent for a moment, probing meaningfully. "How do you want to respond?" "Well, of course, kill them until the rivers run red..." Hearing the unsurprising answer, Feng Zhaobai painfully pinched the bridge of his nose. In fact, he wasn''t too concerned about the world line direction within the Illusion Realm, even if Little Britain really annexed Dai Qing, it didn''t matter. The Illusion Realm is the Illusion Realm, reality is reality, a mature Transcendent should not get too immersed in the identity within the Illusion Realm! It''s essential to always maintain a transcendent, indifferent, observer''s mindset! Otherwise, once one becomes emotionally involved, becomes attached, or falls in love with creatures within the Illusion Realm, the risk of becoming [Lost] will increase exponentially! Eventually, one will be thoroughly immersed, dissolved, and devoured by the Illusion Realm... Forgetting [True], blending into [Illusion]! On the other hand, when the state decides to massively develop this plane, it will naturally shatter the old world structure and reshape a new order. By then, the real competitors will be other countries in the real world, rather than the indigenous of the Illusion Realm! Conversely, if the final assessment deems this Illusion Realm of low value and it''s abandoned, then it''s even less worth worrying about... Right now, he is most worried about Zhu Haomiao''s habit of resorting to mass slaughter at any provocation... At this rate, he might truly become the "Evil Dragon of the Empire"! Thinking of this, Feng Zhaobai sincerely looked into Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, advising earnestly. "Junior Brother Zhu, you''re a bit too extreme." "..." "There are still good people in Little Britain, uh... although not many..." "..." Thinking about the major flaws of Little Britain in this world, Feng Zhaobai felt unable to convince even himself, pursed his lips inexplicably, and forcefully argued. "Westerners'' lives are also lives, you must understand what your purpose is, it''s not simply about killing and killing." Hearing Feng Zhaobai''s words, Zhu Haomiao clapped his palm, seemingly enlightened, nodding seriously. "So... don''t blindly kill, kill with purpose? Kill with precision?" Feng Zhaobai: "..." Is killing your only solution to problems? Your thinking is a bit too extreme! "I understand! Senior Brother Feng!" Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s look of excitement as if he had attained enlightenment in the Dragon Field again, Feng Zhaobai only felt his temples throbbing wildly, his head aching. You understand nothing! Thinking about this guy going on a killing spree and blaming it on him, Feng Zhaobai felt a dark shadow ahead. If my reputation is ruined in the future, you''ll have to take full responsibility! But after pondering for a long time, he couldn''t find a legitimate reason to stop his killing spree. Feng Zhaobai sighed heavily, exhausted, and tried a different angle to advise. "Junior Brother Zhu, didn''t you kill someone in a nightclub a while ago?" Chapter 133 - 133: Damn, you really understand Skills! "Ah? I''m not, I''m innocent, that was self-defense!" "..." Seeing Feng Zhaobai''s speechless silence, Zhu Haomiao hurried to explain. "Senior Brother Feng, really, I was surrounded by dozens of people at the time, extremely scared, and could only fight back with tears!" "..." Extremely scared??? The victims didn''t say that, they all said you were smiling like a psychopathic killer! You even extorted nearly ten thousand tael silver notes from several survivors... Wait! Could this be what you learned from my "Black Eating Black"? Good heavens, you''ve really applied knowledge into practice! But I never taught you to eat "tourists"! Feng Zhaobai widened his eyes and looked at Zhu Haomiao with a complicated expression. "So... you alone defended yourself against dozens of people? Killed them all?" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao hurriedly waved his hand. "No! I didn''t kill anyone!" "I just gently retaliated against the assailants, rendering them incapable of causing harm, definitely didn''t finish anybody off; it''s 100% self-defense!" "As for the dead... that''s because they were in poor health, had underlying diseases! Nothing to do with me!" Feng Zhaobai: "..." You damn well know the law! Alright then... Smacking his lips, Feng Zhaobai let out a heavy sigh and patted Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder hard. "Junior Brother Zhu, remember... it''s easy to destroy bandits on the mountain, but hard to destroy bandits in your heart!" "The enemy is not outside, but inside!" Saying this, Feng Zhaobai tapped Zhu Haomiao''s chest with implication, eyes filled with expectation. Listening to his heartfelt whisper, Zhu Haomiao furrowed his sword-like brows, carefully pondered, seriously analyzed, and finally had an epiphany, clapping his palm. "I get it, so it''s not enough to just kill people, you also have to break hearts!" Feng Zhaobai: "..." Get it, get it! You get it again? Are you the understand king? Exhausted, Feng Zhaobai leaned back on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling, lifeless pupils gray and dull. So tired, let it all end... "Senior Brother Feng, don''t worry, I will definitely follow your teachings, kill people and break hearts, never let a bad guy get away!" Zhu Haomiao energetically stood up, clasped his fists and left through the door, leaving behind a slowly wide-eyed Feng Zhaobai. Wait! I didn''t teach you that! Don''t go around saying that!! After a while, Wang Hua entered with a stack of documents, just in time to see Feng Zhaobai stretching out his hand in shock, as if trying to hold onto something. "I just ran into Junior Brother Zhu upstairs, he seemed quite excited, did you tell him about Susano-o?" Feng Zhaobai let his hands drop in defeat, slumped on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. "No, I forgot." "Then what was he so excited about? I thought he''d seen something that excited him..." Placing the documents on the desk, Wang Hua frowned looking at Feng Zhaobai maintaining his wordless gaze upward. "What''s wrong with you again?" "Nothing, just feeling that work is so hard, stress is so high, it''s so exhausting..." "I''ve been busy like a dog with the Ascension Competition and didn''t complain!" "You don''t understand, it''s mental fatigue, that kid is impenetrable, if he causes trouble in the future... and says I taught him..." As he spoke, Feng Zhaobai punched the sofa armrest, gritting his teeth. "I wouldn''t be able to clear my name even if I jumped into the Yellow River!" Wang Hua: "..." ............... Late at night, in a newspaper office building in the Public Leased Territory, a blond-haired, blue-eyed man was typing away on a typewriter, inspiration flowing like a spring. "China¡ªthe sick man of the East!" "Its civilization is backward, its thoughts numb, its physique decayed, its spirit degenerate..." "They have no faith, every word and deed carries rotten, old, disgusting pettiness and meanness!" "In contrast, we British gentlemen are morally noble, holy and respectable, willing to travel thousands of miles to their primitive backward country, to bring them civilization and enlightenment..." "However, some of them are ungrateful, treating noble enlightenment as oppression, how absurdly ignorant..." "Don''t you see, their former vassal state Japan, only after learning our advanced civilization, rejecting the lowly and ignorant Chinese culture, have they achieved rapid development!" "Only by embracing higher civilization, eliminating backward writing and language, fully Westernizing, can these ''sick men of East Asia'' possibly shake off their inherent inferiority and become people with dignity and morality!" "And not a bunch of monkeys donning human skin, consuming raw flesh and blood!" Pressing the final period on the typewriter, Henry Xi''anmen slowly stretched, satisfied with his newly finished masterpiece. Reading it through, Henry Xi''anmen nodded contentedly, letting out a long breath. Who would''ve thought... The "sick man of East Asia" article, originally crafted to catch the eye, unexpectedly sparked such widespread discussion and influence... He further rode the wave, publishing over a dozen articles in a single go, critically analyzing East Asian civilization from politics, economy, military, culture, ideology, writing... various aspects! After more than a year of spread and fermentation, now the entire Far East knows the great name of Henry Xi''anmen! Not only are Europeans full of respect for him, but countless Qing people also regard his writings as holy scripture, offering ardent worship! Some even see him as a spiritual leader for national salvation! This treatment deeply satisfied the once unfulfilled Henry Xi''anmen in his homeland. Not only did he gain fame in the Far East, but also enormous benefits! Now, countless financiers support his newspaper from behind the scenes, allowing him to earn profusely! Once this new masterpiece is released, the entire Far East is sure to experience a new wave of public opinion! He might even earn a title as a Far East issue expert, write books, and leave a legacy forever... S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Just as Henry Xi''anmen was fantasizing about a bright future, the office light bulb suddenly started flickering, emitting a buzzing electrical noise. In the dim, flickering light, the filament inside the bulb let out a faint popping sound, plunging the entire room into hazy darkness. "Fxck! Damn yellow-skinned monkeys, can''t even maintain stable power supply in the Public Leased Territory!" Grumbling lowly, under the dim starlight from outside the window, Henry Xi''anmen found a candle in the drawer and lit it with a match. The dim yellow light illuminated the office; the newspaper office was completely empty apart from himself, which inexplicably sent a chill through Henry Xi''anmen, slowly flooding his heart with unease. He heard that Shanghai''s public security hasn''t been good lately; it''s best not to work overtime late at night anymore... The thought flashed across his mind as Henry Xi''anmen carefully gathered and sorted the completed manuscript, fastening it with a book clip. Chapter 134 - 134: Reverse Cross Just as Henry Xi''anmen had completed the aftermath work and was about to leave with a candle in hand, the rhythmic footsteps suddenly halted. The candlelight cast a reflection on the glass window before him, revealing a blurred scene behind him. A sinister and elegant black shadow sat cross-legged on his chair, holding a book binder, flipping through his written manuscript. Woosh~ In the dead of night at the newspaper office, one could hear a pin drop. The faint sound of pages turning seemed like a death-knell in Henry Xi''anmen''s ears, causing goosebumps to rise all over his body. A few seconds ago, there had been no one there... Gulp~ Uncontrollably swallowing a mouthful of saliva, Henry Xi''anmen froze in place, silently praying, and murmuring holy names. It took him a full ten seconds of mental preparation to stiffly and slowly turn his head, hoping that the reflection in the window was just a hallucination from his exhaustion. However, the God he worshipped seemed not to answer his prayers. Under the dim candlelight, the bizarre shadow gradually came into view not far away. Upon observing the shadow, even though he was in a closed office, Henry Xi''anmen''s candle swayed as if buffeted by a strong wind. The flickering candlelight projected eerie, twisted shadows around, resembling numerous predatory monsters ready to pounce! But the most frightening was the humanoid silhouette hidden in the shadow. No matter how the candlelight swayed, the dim light seemed unable to illuminate the dense darkness surrounding him, only revealing his relaxed and graceful flipping of the book pages. Woosh~ Woosh~ The originally subtle sound of page-turning now seemed like a death sentence. With every turn of a page, Henry Xi''anmen felt a jolt of fear, sensing impending doom! Opening his mouth to speak, Henry Xi''anmen found his body rigid, with his throat seemingly blocked by something, causing him to break out in cold sweat. "You... You... Who are you?" After suppressing the fear stemming from his soul, Henry Xi''anmen asked in a dry and hoarse voice, instinctively shuffling his trembling feet backward. The instinct for survival told him to get away from this terrifying monster wrapped in a human skin! It was an eerie, incomprehensible evil! However, the shadow didn''t respond to his question but continued flipping through the manuscripts, gently closing the book binder. Snap~ The pleasing sound of the pages colliding was like the falling of a gavel of judgment, causing Henry Xi''anmen to sweat profusely and involuntarily fall to his knees, trembling in despair and pain. His mouth gaping, throat convulsing, yet not a word of pleading could escape, as he watched the shadow slowly rise from the chair and walk toward him with calm and graceful strides. Henry Xi''anmen instinctively lowered his head, not daring to look directly, only feeling like a massive mountain pressed on his back, bending his spine further, and in the end, forced him to prostrate at the shadow''s feet. Looking down at the convulsing, trembling middle-aged white man at his feet, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes gleamed with a terrible and awe-inspiring Purple Gold Divine Light. An invisible, extraordinary aura crushed down on him, grinding his Spirit Shell to bits. "Weakness and ignorance are not barriers to survival, but Pride is..." "And you, my friend." "You are weak, ignorant, and [Proud]." The evil, low whispers echoed from the depths of Henry Xi''anmen''s soul, as if hearing divine judgment, enveloping his spirit in endless despair and pain. Immediately, the human figure above stepped forward, tread on his head, crossed over his body, and calmly departed. The next moment, ethereal Divinity invaded reality, altering the fundamental Laws of the material world to impose the creator''s will upon the sinner. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Grr... Grr..." The suffocating feeling enveloped his nose and mouth, with violent, convulsive breathing bursting from deep within Henry Xi''anmen''s chest. His mouth wide open, yet unable to draw in a breath, he could only watch helplessly as he defied gravity and levitated, gradually turning his form upside down, like a pig hung by its feet awaiting slaughter. His eyes started to protrude from their sockets, with pitch-black blood seeping slowly from his seven orifices, resembling countless tiny serpents slithering and converging, spreading toward his limbs. Involuntarily spreading his arms and crossing his legs, the viscous black blood like crude oil flowed to his palms and ankles, solidifying into pitch-black spikes that instantly penetrated his muscles and bones, nailing him upside down to the wall. "Mmm... Mmm..." In the restrained, painful whimpers, more black blood gushed from his seven orifices, flowing down the wall and meandering to form an evil, eerie, brutal, yet dignified and solemn contradicting image with the inverted, nailed [Human-shaped Inverted Cross] on the wall. Without admiring the horrific scene behind him, Zhu Haomiao stepped past Henry Xi''anmen, opened the office door without looking back, and quietly left like an ordinary visitor. [Pride] +100 [Pride]: LV.4¡úLV.5 (50/1000) [God] +3 [Qi] +3 [Dexterity] +2 The changes in the [Book of Black] reflected on his heart, causing the youth to unconsciously curl his lips as he walked downstairs. "My lord." In a luxurious tailcoat and white gloves, Wilson stood by a retro and elegant black car, waiting for a long time. He respectfully opened the car''s rear door for the youth. Zhu Haomiao smiled and nodded, sitting in the back seat as Wilson calmly closed the door for him, then proceeded to the driver''s seat, personally starting the car. As the engine roared to life, the car glided smoothly onto the road, leaving the building far behind in no time. Sitting in the car''s back seat, Zhu Haomiao took out a delicate black notebook, gently crossed out the first name. Henry Xi''anmen... "Wilson." "Here." "How far to the next ''meal''?" "About 20 minutes'' drive." "I''m ''hungry'', drive faster." "Yes, sir!" .......................... The morning sun broke the sky, spreading gentle dawn light like a veil of golden silk over the city. But on this beautiful morning, in a building within the Public Leased Territory, everyone was overshadowed by boundless fear. "Oh God..." "What a blasphemy this is!" "Devil! It must be the Devil!" "Lord! Protect me..." In the chaotic newspaper office, a group of employees mumbled incoherently, some even clutching crosses, kneeling and tearfully praying to God. Surveying the group of frightened employees, Sherlock Worth sighed helplessly. It seems... there''s no hope of getting any useful information from them... Carrying a faint sense of weariness, Sherlock Worth stepped back into the ''crime scene'' office, slightly raising his eyes to gaze at the [Human-shaped Inverted Cross] nailed upside down on the wall! Chapter 135 - 135: Desecration The victim''s eyes, ears, mouth, and nose were clogged with coagulated, jet-black blood, and his gaping mouth seemed to emit a silent wail. His expression was grotesquely twisted, and just looking at the face of the deceased, who couldn''t rest in peace, one could almost hear his shrill cries right before death. However, Sherlock Worth had already questioned the surrounding residents, and none had heard anything unusual the previous night... This means that either the sound was blocked, or... he suffered silently in extreme pain... His gaze swept over the grotesque long nails on the victim''s palms and ankles, staring at this symbolically evil scene. Even though Sherlock Worth was not a fanatic, he couldn''t help the surge of anger within him. This is a deliberate provocation of the Church Court''s authority! Using the most blasphemous and evil means! S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Tap, tap, tap~ At this moment, familiar footsteps sounded from behind. Sherlock Worth quickly suppressed his anger and turned to face them with the most calm composure. "Mr. Gabriel." "Hmm." The girl wearing a white-gold hood nodded slightly, bypassing Sherlock Worth, and walked directly into the terrifying "crime scene." As she looked at the human flesh inverted cross nailed to the wall, there was a fleeting fluctuation in her serene eyes, but soon they returned to calm. "Have you found anything?" "There are no signs of struggle at the scene, the victim even lacks strictly defined external injuries, and the long nails that nailed him were formed from his own blood coagulation!" Sherlock Worth explained in detail and then handed a bloodstained book clip to the girl. "This might be his cause of death." Upon opening the book clip, the first thing that caught Gabriel''s eye was a pitch-black inverted cross formed from coagulated dark blood. Amid the sporadic blood stains, the girl painstakingly tried to read, but the words that came into view caused her brows to furrow tighter and tighter. "Sick man of East Asia? Lowly, backward Chinese Civilization? He''s truly daring to write..." Even the Blazing Angel descending from Supreme Heaven held a reverence for this ancient civilization, so why was he, a mere mortal, so bold? Hearing the girl''s murmured sigh, Sherlock Worth, standing beside her, nodded with a shared sentiment. After an internal struggle, he asked in a low, troubled voice. "Could it be the work of the [Dragon] group..." If it really was them, then this matter couldn''t be investigated. Otherwise... what if something is found out? Who would dare to address the Yanhuang Armory for accountability? Moreover, you might even have to be grateful that they haven''t vented their wrath on descenders because of native behavior! If not... the contender from Japan next door is a cautionary example. So... sometimes you must play ignorant... Everyone wants to be dignified, if you aren''t, then don''t blame others for helping you to be dignified... On the other side, understanding Sherlock Worth''s concern, Gabriel only pondered for a moment, then seriously shook her head. "It doesn''t seem like their work." "If it were the [Dragon] group, they would storm in during broad daylight, cut off his head in front of everyone, and either build a corpse pile or hang it under the gate as a human head wind chime. They wouldn''t purposely set up such a scene full of Western religious symbols..." Once again, gazing at the human flesh inverted cross on the wall, Gabriel''s pure gold eyes shimmered with an awe-inspiring Holy Light. "This seems more like a cultic sacrifice ritual, a remnant of the Outer Realm Evil God''s intervention in this world..." Finishing her sentence, the divine light in Gabriel''s eyes gradually faded, and once again, she sighed perplexedly. "Yet another Evil God of Hell Lord''s caliber ¨C what has this world done to attract so many Evil Gods'' attention?" "How many times has this happened?" While the girl quietly murmured, Sherlock Worth secretly let out a sigh of relief. As long as it''s not the [Dragon] group... Daring to provoke an Evil God is one thing, East University is truly untouchable... Not to mention, they are currently on someone else''s territory, should a conflict arise, even Mr. Gabriel might... A fleeting irreverent thought crossed his mind, and Sherlock Worth made the sign of the Cross over his chest, silently repenting. While Sherlock Worth was muttering to himself, a blonde, blue-eyed policeman rushed in, breathlessly finding him. "Sher... Sherlock Detective!" Seeing the policeman''s panicked and alarmed expression, Sherlock Worth''s face grew solemn, and he patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don''t rush, take a deep breath, calm your breath, then speak." Sherlock Worth''s mature and calm words seemed to have a magical effect, as the terrified policeman quickly calmed down and reported with a steady pace. "Another strange murder case has occurred, please come quickly to see it, this time the victim''s identity is somewhat special..." Upon hearing this, Sherlock Worth instinctively glanced back, meeting Gabriel''s eyes, seeing in them a shared foreboding. Dozens of minutes later, the two arrived at the new crime scene. What greeted them was a grotesque, distorted, and bizarre scene. Inside what was once a luxurious bedroom, a membrane composed of flesh and blood covered the walls, floor, and ceiling. Through the translucent meat film, one could vaguely see the dense network of blood vessels and nerves like tree roots inside. The crimson hue filled every inch of vision, and in a daze, everyone seemed to glimpse the interior of some giant animal''s cavity. And at the center of the bedroom, countless tentacles of varying thickness extended from the bed, walls, ceiling... growing from all sorts of places, burrowing into the center''s deformed human body, even suspending it mid-air! "Who is the deceased?" Instinctively pausing at the bedroom door, Sherlock Worth asked the nearby officer softly. "Sir Kegelo Woods." "Who is the first witness?" "Uh..." The officer hesitated awkwardly for a moment, pointing to a figure curled up in the corner. As Sherlock Worth approached, he found it was a 16-year-old, attractive Asian girl. But the girl, at the moment, was only wearing a thin coat, seemingly naked underneath. Under her exposed skin, there were dense scars, new and old, clearly indicating long-term non-human abuse. Staring into the girl''s hollow, numb, and murky eyes, Sherlock Worth seemed to understand something and suppressed his anger while asking the officer beside him. "What exactly happened here?" "Uh... Sir Kegelo Woods liked to play special games..." "So this is the toy he bought?" Hearing Sherlock Worth''s sneering comment of anger disguised as laughter, the officer smiled even more awkwardly. "Not bought..." Sherlock Worth was momentarily stunned: "What do you mean?" "This girl seems to have been abducted by him." Hearing this, Sherlock Worth slowly gasped, feeling a tremendous shock in his spirit. He knew the 19th-century capitalists were lawless, but he hadn''t expected them to be so rampant! Chapter 136 - 136: There Is a Way to Court Death At this moment, Gabriel walked to his side, slowly squatted down, gently stroked the girl''s hair, his eyes filled with compassion, and murmured in an incomparably gentle whisper. "Sleep, forget all this, the future will get better." Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Supernatural divinity quietly released, in a vision unseen by mortals, a pair of holy pure white wings extended from Gabriel''s back, softly enveloping the girl. The next second, the girl seemed to return to her mother''s embrace, the long-lost sense of safety and warmth enveloping her body and mind, her hollow, deathly dim eyes closing uncontrollably as if filled with lead, falling into a deep sleep. At the same time, under the illumination of the pure Holy Light, the countless scars on her skin faded, scabbed, and fell off at a speed visible to the naked eye... in an instant, they returned to a youthful, fair tone befitting her age. Ignoring the shocked gaze of the native police officer beside him, Gabriel took off his white-gold cloak and covered the girl, instructing Sherlock Worth. "She will forget her memories of this period. You need to return her to her family''s hands reasonably and safely." Upon hearing Gabriel''s instructions, Sherlock Worth bowed his head devoutly. "Your will." "Furthermore..." With that, Gabriel stood up, his pure golden eyes squinting slightly, gazing at the lush, vibrant garden outside the window. "Go and dig up that area!" Pointing to a corner of the garden, Gabriel''s voice held a trace of chill. Dozens of minutes later, looking at the row upon row of slender white bones before him, Sherlock Worth clenched his fist tightly and took a long, deep breath. Marx is still too conservative... We should strike hard against these vermin! Suppressing the anger in his heart, Sherlock Worth returned to the crime scene. Upon seeing the gruesomely grotesque corpse in the center of the bedroom, instead of feeling anger, he inexplicably felt endless pleasure. Serves them right! This kind of scum should go to Hell! On the other side, Gabriel seemed to sense his emotions, letting out a heartfelt sigh. "Don''t let anger blind your spirit." The light whisper penetrated his spirit, and Sherlock Worth slightly composed himself, bowing his head devoutly. "I sincerely follow your teachings." Immediately, he stepped into the bedroom covered in scarlet membranes, enduring the soft, sticky feeling underfoot, approaching the deceased to carefully observe, discovering that every cavity on the body was pierced by tentacles, some even penetrating the body to emerge from the other side! "What on earth is this thing?" Even someone as knowledgeable as Sherlock Worth couldn''t help but be shocked by the eerie scene, feeling a chill down his spine. However, the girl next to him remained calm and said. "You''ve seen Its authority..." "What?!" Sherlock Worth''s breath halted, unable to recall when he had seen a similar scene despite racking his brain. Seeing his confusion, Gabriel gently reminded him. "That man who was raped to death by ''himself'' before..." Upon hearing this, Sherlock Worth immediately reacted: "But that man''s body didn''t have these..." Before he could finish, the girl interrupted. "At that time, Its power wasn''t strong enough to permanently distort matter, so it didn''t leave these contamination traces. What you saw was merely the residue after divinity disappeared..." "And now..." Surveying the entire room wrapped in scarlet membranes and the countless sticky tentacles piercing the corpse, Gabriel slightly frowned, murmuring to himself. "Its power is growing rapidly..." "Perhaps I should go to the Yanhuang Armory again to convey the seriousness of the problem." Upon hearing this, Sherlock Worth silently paused for a moment, tentatively speaking up. "My lord, is there a possibility that the danger of these Evil Gods is not as high as imagined." Gabriel looked at him strangely, "Why do you say that?" "Look, if it were a typical Evil God sacrifice, not a single person should have survived the night in this manor." "But actually, the servants in the manor were unharmed, and even the girl in the same room as the deceased was not hurt in the slightest, which indicates that the other''s purpose was clear and targeted!" "Moreover, judging from the few cases we''ve encountered, these deceased..." After much hesitation, Sherlock Worth bravely pressed on. "These deceased pretty much deserved it!" Understanding the subtext of Sherlock Worth''s words, Gabriel pondered for a moment and then shook his head quietly. "We cannot rely on an Evil God''s self-restraint." "Chaos and madness are their essence." "Even if they can now suppress madness with divinity and maintain rationality, can you guarantee they will always be this way?" "Look around you. Just by responding to sacrifices, they have caused such terrible pollution to the material world..." "If their will fully descends into this world, what do you think would happen?" Looking at the sinister, fleshy membrane around and breathing the faintly rank, sticky air, Sherlock Worth had no words, nodding helplessly. "You''re right." ......... Meanwhile, deep underground on the outskirts of Shanghai, an "Outer Realm Evil God" lay peacefully in bed, trampled on the face by a fluffy creature. "If you want to sleep, just sleep! Don''t dance on my face!" "Chirp~" Throwing the ferret lying on his face to the side of the pillow, Zhu Haomiao glared at it annoyedly and continued to review today''s gains. [Lust] +150 [Lust]: LV.4 ¡ú LV.5 (130/1000) [Essence] +4 [Body] +3 [Qi] +1 Indeed... The night was too short, it was already dawn after just two appetizers, unsatisfied... Smacking his lips regretfully, Zhu Haomiao sighed longingly, turning his gaze to the page of the [Book of Black]. Before sleeping... which cultivation technique should I choose? He instinctively turned his gaze to the [Gale Force], which was nearing completion, but after pondering for a moment, Zhu Haomiao dismissed the idea. Advancing to Great Success and achieving Perfection requires too much time, often forty or fifty days! During this period, it''s like being a snake entering a molting phase, unable to exert full strength, it''s best to quietly "Long Rest" after accumulating a dozen points or so in the six-dimensional attributes. Moreover, this period will probably be quite busy, with the menu of names filling up two pages! Can''t finish, simply can''t finish! There''s also the need to participate in a couple of rounds of the Ascension Competition to earn some contributions... Lastly, Jiawu is approaching swiftly, and the Japanese Imperial Army is still waiting for me to grace them with my presence... Oh right, the Dao Heart is about to upgrade! After carefully sorting through his "to-do list," Zhu Haomiao felt an inexplicable sense of urgency in his heart. There are too many things to do, countless threads! Taking a deep breath, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a moment, prioritizing the tasks. Chapter 137 - 137: No Entry for Chinese and Dogs! Temporarily eliminate the names on the list, causing Dai Ying to fall into a complete paralysis in the Far East! By the way, if there''s time, participate in a few [Ascension Competitions]... [Dao Heart] doesn''t need deliberate refining, just having a few more hearty meals should suffice... Once the internal issues are handled, then find a way to get the Imperial Army''s rebate! Clearing his thoughts, Zhu Haomiao had a plan in mind, directing his gaze to the two long-dormant cultivation techniques. [Big Toad Qi]: LV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Hard Qi Skill]: LV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) His current combat ability was already quite strong, it was time to solidify his foundation! Moreover, the small success bottleneck at LV.4 was easier to break through, with over ten days left until his next return. After breaking through, he could also clear the menu... With a thought, ethereal gray threads condensed out of thin air and two layers of insect cocoon entwined and wrapped around Zhu Haomiao as he slowly closed his eyes. Two faint golden lights shot out from the [Book of Black], carrying immense energy that settled deep into the boy''s spirit and body. In the blink of an eye, more than ten days passed by. When he opened his eyes again, the first sensation wasn''t the obviously stronger power but a gnawing hunger. Gurgle gurgle~ "Squeak!" Aware of his master''s awakening, Diao Chan stood on its hind legs, raising its paws high, offering up a half-eaten grape. Looking at the shiny, water-glistening grape, obviously taken from its cheek, Zhu Haomiao let out a dry laugh and rubbed its little head. "You can eat it yourself, I''m not hungry." "Squeak??" Not understanding why its master wouldn''t eat food, Diao Chan blinked its big, translucent eyes and decisively continued to munch on the grape, savoring it. Watching it eat heartily and carefree, finishing the grape in just a few bites, it then eerily pulled an apple from its cheek, presenting it like a treasure at his feet, causing Zhu Haomiao to painfully avert his gaze. I''m really hungry... Unexpectedly wanting to eat an apple covered in saliva! "Squeak~" "Not eating, going to have a big meal later! I must save my stomach!" "Squeak?!!" Seeing Diao Chan eagerly shove the apple back, rubbing its paws in anticipation, Zhu Haomiao chuckled and shook his head, suppressing his rumbling appetite as he began to assess his changes. [Big Toad Qi]: LV.3¡úLV.4 (Small Success) [Qi] +2 [God] +2 [Dexterity] +1 [Hard Qi Skill]: LV.3¡úLV.4 (Small Success) [Body] +3 [Strength] +1 [Essence] +1 After breaking through to small success in both cultivation techniques, subtle qualitative changes seemed to arise, but probably only real combat could verify their intricacies. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After thoroughly sensing, Zhu Haomiao suppressed his curiosity and directed his attention to his six-dimensional attributes. [God]: 25¡ú30 [Dexterity]: 27¡ú30 [Strength]: 31¡ú37 [Essence]: 27¡ú32 [Qi]: 30¡ú36 [Body]: 31¡ú37 All accumulated attributes were fully digested, with a solid 30+ attribute foundation giving Zhu Haomiao even greater confidence. In terms of attributes, he should be considered mid-rank in the Golden Level... No, maybe even a bit stronger than the average mid-rank Golden Level! Because his six-dimensional development was more balanced, with no shortcomings! Clenching his fists and sensing the powerful inner breath roaring in his meridians, Zhu Haomiao smiled in satisfaction, getting off the bed. "Diao Chan, let''s go, time to have a feast~" "Squeak!" ...... Leaving the [Sleeping Tomb], he rushed to the [Xinghua House] and indulged in a feast. When Zhu Haomiao stepped out satisfied, the sky outside was already filled with stars. [Gluttony] +52, [Dao Heart] +1 Stretching comfortably, Zhu Haomiao focused his mind for a moment, forming a plan in his heart. With some time left until his return, he planned to handle his pending tasks within these days without "sleeping," and also earn some contributions in the [Ascension Competition]... As he was deep in thought, a low-key, luxurious black sedan slowly stopped in front of him. He casually opened the car door and sat inside, the impeccably dressed Wilson glanced at the boy through the rearview mirror and reported in a low voice. "My lord, the sacrificial ceremony is ready." "Very well, take me there." "Additionally, tonight there will be a banquet for Brittania officers, with many targets on the list attending..." "Oh?" Zhu Haomiao''s eyes brightened, "Which people are attending?" "Some sea and land officers from Brittania Far East will be there. I couldn''t get the exact list, but it should meet your expectations. However..." "What is it?" "Most of these officers are powerful superpower users, gathering together might not be easy to handle..." "No worries, it''ll be a good test." Glancing at the [Book of Black], Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes, excitement brimming in his pupils. Ever since he stepped on a certain delusional Lord and skyrocketed his Seven Deadly Sins level, he hadn''t had a chance to fully test the extraordinary power of these Original Sins. Today is just the right time! "Postpone the sacrificial ceremony, attend the banquet first!" "As you command!" Crossing one leg over the other, Zhu Haomiao leaned back against the leather seat, gazing out at the vibrant foreign market, the rapidly retreating neon lights reflecting colorful, mysterious streams of light on his retina. Dozens of minutes later, the car stopped outside a vast estate in the public leased territory. Even from afar, it was clear that the place was brightly lit, with faint sounds of merriment coming from inside. Opening the door and getting out of the car, Zhu Haomiao directly headed towards the manor gate. On the other side, noticing a suspicious young man approaching, two brothers, their heads wrapped in turbans and their skin dark, frowned. "This is private property, no entry allowed!" Before the boy could get too close, one of them stepped forward and shouted. Hearing his deep and powerful shout, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes shifted slightly, giving him due attention. Even the gatekeepers are Silver Level? A bit luxurious... Blinking, Zhu Haomiao smiled without any change in expression. "I''m here to attend the banquet." Upon hearing this, the two brothers exchanged glances and burst out laughing. "Hahahahaha~" After the sarcastic laughter, one of them pointed to a sign not far behind them, sneeringly saying. "You see what that says? No Chinese or dogs allowed!" Assuming the boy was a ''social butterfly'' trying to force his way in, the two brothers'' contemptuous smiles grew wider. "Don''t dream, gatherings of Great Britain''s nobility aren''t for braid-cutting pigs like you! Now scram!" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao sighed regretfully, murmuring softly. "I wasn''t planning to involve innocents, but since you said that... then..." The next moment, the boy lifted his previously lowered eyes, where an original calm and profound gaze was replaced with a tinge of blood red, an ecstatic madness barely contained. "Well, in that case, don''t blame me for being impolite!" At the same time, within the brightly lit banquet hall, a few young men and women adorned with golden Three Lions Badges were casually conversing together. Chapter 138 - 138: Im Fighting the Elite! "The East Asia Region truly lives up to its name as the Monster Room; the level is indeed high." "That''s right, had I not been pushed to the limit, I wouldn''t even know I had such potential..." "Indeed, competing with high-level contenders is the only way to improve quickly." "In comparison, the Europe Region is a bit too relaxed, lacking tension." As they spoke, one of the young girls sighed with emotion. "However, the risk and rewards are proportional; the competitions in East Asia are a bit too brutal, with people dying frequently." "At our level, dying once might drop our energy level, erasing years of hard cultivation overnight. To rebuild it, who knows how much effort it would take..." Hearing her lament, the others nodded in agreement, sharing the same sentiments. For these Heaven''s Chosen Sons, the greatest fear is dying too many times, leading to Dao Heart collapse, Fate Grid damage, energy level plummeting, eventually spiraling into a vicious cycle, becoming the ones who are forever stuck at the bottom like tourists. The more elite, the more they value life in the Illusion Realm and fear death. In comparison, being eliminated from the Ascension Competition is not something unbearable. On the contrary, those who have nothing to lose or have given up do not care because they already know there''s no hope of reaching the heights beyond... Noticing the heavy atmosphere, the speaking girl shifted her tone with a light chuckle, changing the subject. "By the way, Tia, isn''t your brother part of the Ascension Competition Organizing Committee? Do you have any insider information?" A blonde girl, who seemed lost in thought, returned to her senses and shook her head slightly. "He''s been very busy lately, running around coordinating all the regions worldwide; it seems the next stage of the competition will start soon." "Oh? Is the point stage almost over?" "Probably; they must have enough eliminations. Haven''t you noticed there are fewer and fewer silver-level contenders in each region, and most matches are now between Golden Levels?" As they chatted and speculated, the blonde girl named Tia abruptly turned her head to look outside the hall, her eyebrows furrowing. Noticing her change, the other youngsters instantly became alert. "What''s wrong?" "There seems to be some commotion outside, be careful!" Before the words had fully left her mouth, the hall doors burst open with a crash, and a disheveled figure came crashing through the solid wooden gate, flying backward. Bam~ Like a cannonball, it smashed the long banquet table to pieces, the bloodied figure bounced and rolled across the floor for several meters before coming to a complete stop against the wall. The sudden upheaval shocked countless people inside the hall, some family members letting out piercing screams and instinctively fleeing to the other exit. Meanwhile, more people tensed up, angry and wary, eyes fixated on the gaping hole in the gates, watching a figure shrouded in a dark cloak slowly approach. Stepping into the chaotic hall, Zhu Haomiao raised an amused smile, held his breath in his chest, and shouted in a deliberately deep, husky voice. "Surprise! Mother fxcker!" Hearing the deliberately imitated Black voice, the young men and women wearing the Three Lions Badge exchanged glances, seemingly seeing the same lines of frustration across each other''s foreheads. Descender! And the kind who enjoys memes! "Is he one of the Dragon''s?" "He''s not wearing the Dragon Emblem." "He probably hid it." "Should we get involved in this?" "Better not, who knows if he has backup waiting outside." "Exactly, we must be discreet on someone else''s turf." "These natives aren''t weak; let''s keep our distance and just watch." In a few simple exchanges, they reached a consensus, discretely withdrawing from the hall alongside the terrified fleeing families. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao noticed these contenders wearing golden Three Lions Badges, licked his lips, but did not stop them, shifting his gaze back to the group of officers in front. All were dressed in splendid military uniforms, their bodies surging with powerful spiritual energy flows, the aura faintly forming a network enveloping him tightly. Only after the old, weak, women, and children had fully evacuated did a middle-aged man with a small mustache and quasi-general insignia coldly snort, raising his hand mercilessly. "Kill him!" Swish~ Three men over two meters tall, with muscles knotted all over, emerged from the crowd, charging at Zhu Haomiao in unison. Thump thump thump~ Their officer shoes hit the ground like piledrivers, every step cracking and sinking the floor tiles, their momentum building like accelerating tanks, about to crush the boy with unstoppable force. Behind them, a few refined officers began chanting, slowly condensing intangible magic power. Further away, some officers suddenly retrieved firearms, weapons, and armor from somewhere, quickly gearing up. Within mere minutes of bursting through the gates, a highly trained military unit had swiftly formed combat strength. Crucially, they didn''t underestimate him because he was alone; instead, they cautiously confronted him with utmost seriousness. Watching the fearless three meat shield warriors charging at him, Zhu Haomiao sighed deeply in his heart. Clear division of labor, cooperative, powerful... Anyone taken out of this group would be a top-tier elite! If all officers have such military competence, indeed, Great Britain of the Sun Never Sets Empire, has been a ''Main Character'' suppressing the world for nearly three hundred years! In this era, you could say Dai Ying is bad, but you could never say they are weak! In the next second, an uncontrollable excitement burned within Zhu Haomiao''s chest, a euphoric thrill of battling elite turning into blood streaks spreading across his eyeballs. Elites? I''m here to beat the elites! No longer repressing the soul''s desire for destruction and chaos, a visible red mist steamed from the boy''s entire body, flickering and dancing like flames on his form. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The Level 5 anger Extraordinary Power was unleashed without restraint, infinite strength erupting from within! Muscles and bones swelled rapidly, transforming his originally slender and elegant physique into a towering, sturdy, and barbarous form; the over two-meter tall knotted shell resembled a humanoid beast! A faint crimson tint covered his vision, insane bloodlust roaring within his mind, surging violent energy coursed through his veins, feeling like countless pythons twisting and writhing beneath his skin! "Roar!" The overwhelming bloodline surging forced Zhu Haomiao to let out a roar like a giant violent dragon, momentarily giving the illusion of being able to easily destroy this world! The three approaching warriors were stunned by the sudden change, watching their enemy ''transform,'' becoming a monster even taller and stronger than themselves, engulfed in semi-transparent sanguine flames. Chapter 139 - 139, In a Team Battle, Kill the ADC First Just by looking directly at the grotesque and terrifying appearance of the enemy, they lost a third of their courage, and the momentum of their charge involuntarily slowed down. What on earth is this monster?! However, on the other side, Zhu Haomiao, his eyes bloodshot, rushed at them with a grim smile. Boom! His feet stepped a bowl-shaped shallow pit in the ground, the raging monster turned into a burning blood-red stream of light, his giant fist like a heavy cannon punching towards the foremost enemy. Noticing Zhu Haomiao''s power was too brutal, the Britannian officers present all changed their expressions, and a few elegant officers in the rear waved their hands, releasing a dozen ethereal spirit lights onto two people. "Blessing!" "Resist!" "Stance Wall!" "Weakness!" "Delay!" "Curse!" ... Layers of magic spirit lights fell on his body, and the strong spell effects made Zhu Haomiao uncomfortable all over, but this instead triggered his [anger], making him roar toward the enemy, enduring the weakening. His siege hammer-like fist continuously smashed through six or seven magic barriers, directly landing on the interlaced defensive arms of the enemy without any finesse. Boom! Without an ounce of resistance, the over two-meter tall strong man flew out instantly like a baseball hit for a home run, turned into a straight stream crashing through the hall window, disappearing into the night. Yet Zhu Haomiao discontentedly ground his teeth, because he realized the opponent flew out intentionally along with his force! Plus, being weakened by spells while the enemy was enhanced, after consecutively breaking through layers of defenses, his strength was only a small portion left, not enough to inflict fatal damage on the enemy! However, taking advantage of Zhu Haomiao''s exhausted move, two other enemies attacked his flanks from left and right in perfect harmony. Realizing he couldn''t defend in time, Zhu Haomiao tensed his muscles, circulated Qi throughout his body, instantly making his skin radiate with an invisible metallic luster. [Hard Qi Skill]! Thud! Thud! With a small success in [Hard Qi Skill] plus the body''s attribute as high as 37 points, Zhu Haomiao''s defense underwent some qualitative change. The heavy fists hitting him sounded like dull clashes of metal, the intense pain made the two enemies think they hit a steel plate covered in rubber. "Retreat!" Perceiving the monster''s strength was hard to match, the two sprang apart in different directions, intending to use speed to outmaneuver Zhu Haomiao. By normal logic, such a high attack and defense fighting style should have the weakness of being cumbersome and slow. If cautious, with the comrades'' support, one can surely wear the enemy down slowly! Yet, unexpectedly to everyone, the seemingly cumbersome monster possessed agility and swiftness inconsistent with his size. With just a brisk sprint, Zhu Haomiao caught up with one retreating enemy, grabbing his shoulder in his terrified gaze. "Heartless Iron Hand!!" Hearing the monster''s incomprehensible deranged laughter, the robust, burly Dai Ying officer twisted his body and swung his leg like a giant axe at Zhu Haomiao''s waist, trying to force him to release his grip. But sunk in insane bloodthirsty killing intent, Zhu Haomiao ignored the enemy''s attack, his fingers like iron hooks pierced into the flesh, almost locking the opponent''s bones. Thud! The sweeping leg harshly kicked Zhu Haomiao''s waist, immense destructive power penetrated skin, muscle, and bone, reaching deep into his organs. The violent shock caused damage to his internal organs, but Zhu Haomiao not only didn''t feel pain, but became more excited and frenzied as if stimulated. "Die!" A heavy left hook punched towards the enemy''s face, at the crucial moment, the opponent raised his arm to block, the whole arm getting smashed into his face. Crack~ The solid forearm snapped on cue, even with this cushion, the enormous power still seeped into the officer''s skull, turning his mind blank, the whole world instantly silent, his eyes glazed. But just as Zhu Haomiao laughed wildly, ready for another punch to smash his head, a sudden sharp pain came between his eyebrows, causing him to instinctively dodge. [Gale Force]! Tss~ A dozen centimeters long, thumb-thick, ornate armor-piercing bullet sliced through afterimage, biting a small piece of blood and flesh off Zhu Haomiao''s neck. In that instant, time seemed to slow down, allowing Zhu Haomiao to feel the extraordinary power of [Gale Force] at the Great Achievement Realm! Besides enhancing dexterity and swiftness, it also had a passive danger perception ability! Without the premonition response, this bullet might have penetrated his neck! In a flash of lightning and stone fire, Zhu Haomiao realized, but just when he thought he''d avoided the attack, the flying bullet suddenly exploded, the violently expanding fireball covering half of his body with high heat and shock waves. Boom! The piercing burn and sting sensation spread across half his body, Zhu Haomiao was blasted staggering, half his face''s skin carbonized and burned. Immediately, his blood-red, terrifying eyes slowly lifted, looking at a lean officer wielding a silver sniper rifle in the distance. The sniper rifle in his hand was nearly two meters long, the gun barrel engraved with intricate complex mysterious inscriptions, the huge visible flow of magic power coursing through the patterns, its dark muzzle harboring an intimidating threat even Zhu Haomiao dreaded. In team battles, eliminate ADC first! Without any hesitation, Zhu Haomiao lifted the officer in his hand as a meat shield, charging toward the gunman like a cannonball. On the other side, the gunman''s heart skipped, hands sweating, but he made no evasive move, continuing to reload and cock in an orderly fashion, injecting energy back into the sniper rifle. Rich combat experience told him, the more dangerous the moment, the more he needed to trust his comrades. S§×arch* The ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. And his comrades did not disappoint him, in just a few dozen meters, Zhu Haomiao still couldn''t get across, the incomprehensible native magic thickened the surrounding air to glue-like, slowing his speed further, each move required several times the effort. Moreover, several armored, fully armed warriors with more than a dozen layers of magic spirit lights charged in, fearlessly holding him down, desperately creating opportunities for their ally. Noticing the ADC''s charging accumulated rapidly, Zhu Haomiao grew more frustrated fighting, feeling like a trapped beast in a quagmire, powerless! Yet, deep in the frenzied rage eyes, a spark of clear spirit light was firmly anchored, like a third party overlooking the entire battlefield, maintaining cool thought. Surely... the team collaborative combat style is vastly different from solo fighting... Unless an individual possesses overwhelming collective absolute power, it''s hard to bridge the numerical advantage. Not to mention different systems'' cooperation yields an amplifying effect, he must find an opportunity, breaking them one by one! With a mind shift, Zhu Haomiao swung his human weapon, forcing back the hesitant attackers. Chapter 140 - 140: You Kill Yours, I Kill Mine "Despicable! Release Yelder!" Hearing the furious roar, a terrifying grin appeared on one side of Zhu Haomiao''s charred face. "Yelder? No, his name is Two-elder." With one hand clasping Yelder''s shoulder and the other gripping his neck, Zhu Haomiao''s muscles rolled as he slowly and menacingly applied pressure. "Ahhhhhhh!!" Intense pain woke Yelder from his unconscious state, and in his piercing scream, the terrifying force began to crack the skin on his neck. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Stop it!!" Tssss~ An invisible crimson mist steamed off the body, instantly merging into the semi-transparent flames surrounding Zhu Haomiao, an incomparable euphoria surged into his soul, sparking an even more cruel and twisted bloodthirsty desire. Facing the irrational and madly charging enemies, Zhu Haomiao casually tossed the mutilated corpse at them. Using the cover of the corpse fragments, Zhu Haomiao compressed his form, his massive body breaking through the encirclement at an unnatural speed, heading directly toward the ADC in the rear. The sniper, who had been aiming at the battlefield, broke into a cold sweat, instinctively wanting to pull the trigger, but the target was swaying from side to side with an elusive rhythm. This minuscule shaking was practically undetectable to others, but to a sniper proficient in shooting, it looked like the Devil''s afterimage, making it impossible to predict his lead. Yet, in just a moment''s hesitation, the monster had crossed dozens of meters and appeared right in front of him. Bang! The sniper, whose mentality had shattered, was forced to fire, yet the enemy, as if foreseeing it, had already sidestepped. Boom! The armor-piercing bullet skimmed past Zhu Haomiao''s body, penetrating the armor of a warrior chasing after him, slicing him in two at the waist! "Awooooo!!" There was no time to worry about accidentally injuring a comrade; the sniper''s vision was overtaken by a menacing smile, the last image in his memory was Zhu Haomiao charging at him with immense power. Done! As the thought arose in his mind, the next second, the sniper''s vision went black, as a fist the size of a pot slammed squarely into his face. Bang! "Mark!!" Seeing yet another comrade fall, a group of officers'' eyes filled with bloodshot veins, looking at Zhu Haomiao with eyes full of spiteful hatred. The body wobbled twice before thudding to the ground. An invisible crimson mist again steamed from the body, swiftly merging into the blood-red flames surrounding Zhu Haomiao. Immersed in the joy of absorbing original sin, his already brutal and burly demeanor became even more malevolent and terrifying, Zhu Haomiao slowly turned around, ignoring the spiteful and hateful gazes, wearing a bloodthirsty and cruel smile. Facing those eyes that regarded them as pigs to be slaughtered, the anger in everyone''s hearts became even more uncontrollable. Even though Zhu Haomiao''s face had become terrifyingly contorted, they could still tell he was a Qing man! They were imperial nobles, chosen ones of God, when had they ever been so despised and trampled?! Especially by a yellow-skinned monkey!! "Who the hell are you?!!" "Who sent you to attack us!" Facing the vigilant crowd, Zhu Haomiao twisted his mouth into a grim grin. "I''m just a passerby." "I saw a sign outside that said ''No Chinese or Dogs Allowed,'' so I wanted to come in and see if there were really any dogs..." "Turns out all you stupid dogs are here~" Hearing the monster''s unabashed humiliation and taunts, the present Britannia officers clenched their teeth, their eyes bloodshot. "Just for such a trivial matter?" "Do you know what you''re doing?!!" "You are challenging the might of the Sun Never Sets Empire! Your parents, your friends, your country will face the most brutal retaliation!" "Millions of yellow-skinned monkeys will die because of you!!" Basking in the grudge-filled stares of a group of officers, listening to their impotent angry curses, Zhu Haomiao raised a euphoric and menacing smile. "It''s okay, you can kill yours, and I''ll kill mine, let''s see who survives!" The roar, like a giant predator''s, had incredible penetration, clearly audible from hundreds of meters away. A group of young boys and girls watching the event unfold from the outskirts of the battlefield exchanged glances, their brows furrowing with unspeakable emotions. This guy''s strength is not only incredibly strange but he also seems mentally unstable! "He wouldn''t really intend a massacre, would he?" A boy unwittingly voiced the worry in his heart, and Tia beside him immediately shook her head. "No, the Dragon''s internal discipline is the strictest in the world, even in the Illusion Realm of the WWII timeline, they never committed a massacre on Japanese civilians!" Upon hearing this, another boy couldn''t help but mutter in complaint: "But they''ve never held back against the military and descenders..." Hearing this, everyone present couldn''t help but show a bitter smile. Previously, with Japan at the forefront, the enmity towards Brittania in China was not so high, but unfortunately... This Illusion Realm''s timeline is the late 19th century! Jiawu hasn''t even begun! The Nuclear Bomb isn''t online! Now, Great Britain has to play the tank role! In an instant, they felt the pain of the Japanese descenders... Even though it''s been a century or two, they illogically have to pay for the sins of their predecessors... The descenders of China hold a grudge too deeply! Yet, just as the "audience" outside sighed indignantly, the intent to kill on the battlefield boiled over once again. "Excellent! Damn yellow-skinned monkey! I''ll make you know the consequences of challenging the Empire''s might!" A deep, resonant male voice echoed, and a more than two-meter-tall armored giant stepped forth, his entire body encased in gold-plated armor reminiscent of a divine artifact, emitting a faint, visible spirit light. "General Harvey!" Seeing the Quasi-Marshal finally don his magic armor, the officers seemed to find their backbone and let out a long sigh of relief. Subsequently, they regarded Zhu Haomiao like a dead man, sneering with spite. The world-conquering Britannia officers had never suffered such provoking humiliation; they must make this yellow-skinned monster wish he were dead! On the other side, sensing the terrifying magical energy flowing within the gold-plated armor, Zhu Haomiao squinted, the disdain at the depths of his pupils slightly restrained. This realm''s high-end power has something, indeed... It even made me feel a slight threat... Swish~ The gold-plated armor knight in sight suddenly vanished from his spot, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils slightly constricted, a fleeting glint reflected on his retina! Chapter 141 - 141: Sealing Skill Boom! Claw met fist, the golden heavy punch landed in Zhu Haomiao''s palm, a highly penetrating force poured into his meridians, flowing backward along his arm, spreading all the way to his chest. His eyelids twitched suddenly as Zhu Haomiao was shocked to find that his proud strength was being suppressed! A metallic taste rose in his throat, and his tall, burly body staggered backward uncontrollably, his legs plowing two deep trenches in the floor. Thump! He flew backward more than ten meters, his back slammed hard against the wall, creating a shallow radiating crater before finally stopping. Zhu Haomiao swallowed the blood that surged up his throat and looked up at the majestic and powerful Gold-plated Armor Knight, a sinister curve appeared involuntarily at the corner of his mouth. Even The Sun Never Sets Empire couldn''t possibly have many warriors of this caliber, could they? If I can just kill him, it would make the world''s number one powerhouse feel deep pain! Crack~ Rising from the embedded wall, Zhu Haomiao slowly took a deep breath. If the sheer power of [Anger] isn''t enough, then let''s test the combination of cultivation techniques and [Anger]... [Stacked Waves Strength]! With slow, deep breaths, the ethereal blood-colored flame around Zhu Haomiao flickered rhythmically, expanding and contracting, radiating waves upon waves of blood-colored ripples outward. Splash, splash~ The combination of the Great Perfection Realm [Stacked Waves Strength] and [Anger] Authority generated amazing anomalies around Zhu Haomiao. Visible translucent blood-colored ripples spread like tides, causing the officers of the Brittania to suddenly change their color. Amidst a subtle awareness, they sensed an irrepressible divine power gradually arriving! Instinctively perceiving the enemy''s incomprehensible transformation, all the warriors on the scene launched their charge without a moment''s hesitation, while the mages in the back began chanting loudly. Seeing the army recklessly charging toward him and feeling the rapidly coagulating massive energy in the air, Zhu Haomiao spread his arms, a bloodthirsty and joyful divine light shone in his eyes. Boom! Like a monstrous body vanishing mysteriously, a flood of translucent blood-colored streamers cascaded down like a tsunami, engulfing the enemy! As if battered by real, unyielding waves, the Gold-plated Armor Knight leading the charge halted momentarily, and his unstoppable violent aura plummeted. Quickly catching this fleeting flaw, Zhu Haomiao sidestepped to his side, his fist wrapped in blood-colored flame slammed brutally at his soft ribs. In an instant, recovering from the mental impact of the illusory blood wave tsunami, Quasi-General Harvey retracted his elbow to protect his ribs, using his thick arm armor to block the attack. Boom! But the terrifying power that followed exceeded his imagination, the protective spirit light around his arm armor burst instantly, and the armor, resistant to direct artillery fire, had a shallow fist imprint made in it, while the residual force pierced through the arm, seeping into his internal organs, causing a trickle of blood to seep from the corner of his mouth. Swish~ Armor and all, weighing nearly a ton, the Gold-plated Knight was sent flying, like a projectile launched from a heavy cannon, crashing through a reinforced concrete wall, plowing a shallow trench tens of meters long into the garden outside. Yet just as Zhu Haomiao''s punch strength waned and new force had yet to replace it, mages in the distance, drained their magic power, issuing overlapping layers of majestic chants. "Abyss Darkness, where starlight cannot reach..." "Sealing Key, ancient power, heed our call!" "Wind of Ether, wind turns to chains, enclose this realm beyond!" "Sealing the Abyss Throat, close the door of darkness!" Buzz~ Magic power condensed into a visible form in the air, thousands of translucent runes emerged around Zhu Haomiao, forming a complex three-dimensional mysterious magic technique, like a cage enveloping his tall, burly body. The next second, the endless runes, like chains, wrapped around Zhu Haomiao, like red-hot branding irons, scorching faint plumes of smoke on his skin. Ignoring the stinging pain on his skin, a sense of weakness from the soul engulfed body and mind, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils gleamed with a hint of savage ferocity, like a trapped beast roaring at the sky! "Roar!!!" With a forceful strain of his limbs, the illusory rune chains emitted a creaking sound as if they were real, subtly cracking in tiny fissures. "Wow~" Simultaneously, over twenty mages behind were struck as if by lightning, trembling all over, and spewing out mouthfuls of blood in unison. But just as Zhu Haomiao was about to violently shatter the sealing spell, warriors awakened from the blood-colored tsunami, gritting their teeth, fearlessly rushed forward. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "We can''t let him break free from the seal!" A sharp longsword thrust straight toward his heart, seeing a foe merge with his sword, sacrificing to kill him, Zhu Haomiao impatiently frowned. Faced with a choice between breaking free or taking a sword to his chest, he reluctantly opted for the latter. Abandoning the effort to shatter the about-to-burst sealing spell, Zhu Haomiao charged his qi throughout his body, raising his hand to deflect. [Hard Qi Skill]! Ting~ The blade clashing with skin produced a crisp metallic clang, an irresistible force caused the sword edge to skew. But there wasn''t a hint of regret in the attacker''s heart, for he hadn''t hoped to pierce his foe, merely to harass this monster, keeping him from breaking the seal! Seeing the rune chains stabilize once more, the warrior, having achieved his goal, leapt aside from the monster''s blocking force, hoping to pass by and reestablish his assault. The surrounding comrades, in concert, launched an offensive to force Zhu Haomiao into defense! Yet at this moment, ignoring the other weapons slashing toward him, a red light flashed in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, and with a sinister smile, he seized the warrior attempting to escape nearby. "You dare offend the abbot and wish to run?!!" Crack~ The thick armor was imprinted with a clear five-finger mark, the intense pain plummeted into the bone marrow, the warrior, like a lamb pounced by a tiger, felt a gut-wrenching fear, instinctively hacking toward his enemy''s waist with his longsword. "Let go!" Amid the terrified roars of countless onlookers, Zhu Haomiao disregarded everything, leaving himself defenseless against the incoming weapons, pulling the captured warrior into his embrace, his arm muscles rolling like a snake, delivering a devastating punch at his face! "Die!" Woo woo~ The sharp cutting sound like a train whistle, the fist yet to land, the enveloping force caused rippling waves on the warrior''s face! Bang! The helmet made of special magic alloy played its last role, deflecting the destructive power with its own twisting deformation. But the remaining terrifying force still firmly imprinted on the warrior''s face, driving his tall nose into the nasal cavity, lips with teeth sunk into his mouth, an eyeball smashed and popped out of its socket, the entire face caved in, forming a bloody, flesh-blurred imprint. Yet Zhu Haomiao discontentedly gritted his teeth, realizing that the sealing spell had weakened his strength by over half! Otherwise, his punch could have blown the enemy''s head like a watermelon! Chapter 142 - 142: Pain is the Most Intense Stimulant! However, Zhu Haomiao did not know that in the distance, the mages were even more shocked and disturbed. The Sealing Spell they were using was said to have the power to seal even Gods in ancient times! Improved by the Imperial Magic Research Institute, its effectiveness had greatly increased, claiming the lives of countless colonial leaders. Theoretically, regardless of how powerful a Superpower User was, they could only offer their neck for the execution once sealed... Yet, this monster before their eyes was able to resist the Sealing Spell and slaughter Imperial officers! Moreover, the intangible backlash transmitted through the magic chains shook their insides and caused soul-wrenching pain! What on earth have we provoked?! Before the mages could figure it out, swords and spears had already brutally struck Zhu Haomiao in the center of the battlefield. But under the effects of Hard Qi Skill and a Body attribute as high as 37, the sharp blades only pierced his skin and muscles, leaving gaping wounds like the mouths of infants. On his over two-meter imposing physique, these wounds could only be considered superficial injuries, instead fueling Zhu Haomiao''s crazed bloodlust even more! He had realized that in the state of anger, pain was the most intense stimulant! The more pain, the more excitement, the more frenzy! "Roar!" Pain was transformed into an electrifying thrill, and Zhu Haomiao roared, lifting the still-breathing warrior above his head, giving a fierce twist and pull! Screech~ With a horrifying sound of flesh tearing, the head along with the white spine was ripped out, a torrent of blood pouring like champagne over Zhu Haomiao, drenching him like a Demon crawling out of Hell! The imperceptible blood-red miasma was absorbed into Zhu Haomiao''s body, the enemy''s blood did not quench his raging bloodlust, but made him crave slaughter even more! Not enough! Not enough! I want rivers of blood! Quasi-General Harvey, returning to the battlefield, was greeted by the sight of the monster tearing a subordinate in half, the gruesome and terrifying scene reddening his eyes! "Beast!!!" With a roar, the dignified gold-plated armor charged at Zhu Haomiao with an incongruous speed, aiming a punch at his face. Unfortunately, as an Imperial General, his expertise was in gun skills and swordsmanship, while his hand-to-hand combat was rudimentary, easily dodged by Zhu Haomiao with a sidestep. Realizing the difficulty of defeating the golden tin can while under the Sealing Spell, Zhu Haomiao followed his instinctual bloodlust and set his sights on the fragile mages in the distance. "Form up! Encircle!" Instantly sensing Zhu Haomiao''s intention, Quasi-General Harvey barked an order, organizing the remaining twenty-some officers into an impenetrable encirclement using himself as a node! With the rings of the encirclement layers around him, Zhu Haomiao reluctantly abandoned the idea of attacking the rear and focused on the warriors surrounding him. Alright then... Let''s try Dual Power Fusion! Stacked Waves Strength! Gale Force! Buzz~ A flash of Purple Gold light flickered in his eyes, and a faint hum surrounded Zhu Haomiao. In an instant, a light, agile chill flooded his mind, sharply enhancing his perception by several times, as if time had slowed down! Whoosh~ The towering figure disappeared from the spot without warning, even Quasi-General Harvey could only see a streak shoot leftward, his pupils constricting intensely. "Watch out!" However, before the others realized what was happening, Zhu Haomiao had already pounced on a warrior like a starving wolf hunting a sheep, clutching the man''s neck. Only then did the opponent''s instinctive counterattack swing to halfway! Crunch~ The thick fingers twisted the neck like hydraulic steel clamps, causing the blades on Zhu Haomiao to lose their force, leaving only faint white marks on his skin. "Santos!!!" Several people around mournfully called out the name of their comrade, as Zhu Haomiao casually tossed the corpse toward them and mercilessly lunged at the next target. "Die!!" As if wanting to vent inner fear, facing the approaching hulking monster, the fully armored warrior advanced instead of retreating, delivering the most spectacular sword strike of his life! In that instant, past confusion quietly dissipated, a crystal-clear spirit permeated the blade, forming a thin light blade on the sword''s edge! Sharp awareness told Zhu Haomiao not to block the attack head-on, and he shrank his form, vanishing from the enemy''s sight, leaving the invincible attack to cut through air! Whoosh~ Amidst the clear sound of the sword slicing through the air, Zhu Haomiao lunged forward, grabbing the enemy''s sword-hand and giving it a fierce twist. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Crunch! "Ahhhhh!!!" In the previous second, the warrior, who achieved a breakthrough in battle, wore an expression of delight, but the next second could only emit a blood-curdling scream... But the agony didn''t last long; Zhu Haomiao, like shaking a wet towel, slammed him into the ground and then stomped down hard with his foot. Boom! The head exploded like a watermelon, the pile-driving foot stomping a bowl-shaped pit into the ground, violently splattering brain matter and blood several meters away, creating a nauseatingly gruesome ''flower'' on the floor. At this moment, Quasi-General Harvey, trailing behind, caught up to Zhu Haomiao, but before he could act, the enemy once more disappeared from sight! "No!!!" Without entangling with him further, Zhu Haomiao, like a tiger among sheep, rampaged through the encirclement, taking lives with just two or three moves! "He''s over there!" "Mack! Watch out!" "He''s behind you!" "Block him!!" ... In the midst of despairing cries, the smell of blood in the room grew thicker and the onlooking teens outside grew increasingly pale. "What is this monster?" Initially, they watched with a lighthearted attitude, laughing and chatting. But as the situation unfolded, they could no longer laugh. "The initial transformation might be some kind of burst Secret Technique, I can understand, but what''s happening afterward? I can''t make sense of it!" "I don''t get it either, how is he both overwhelmingly strong and lightning-fast? This isn''t scientific!" "The most terrifying thing is that all this is happening even with him weakened by the Sealing Spell." "Maybe he used some True Object to be immune to the Sealing Spell?" "No! He''s clearly fighting under the Sealing Spell, look at the rune chains wrapped around him, and the dozen or so mages who look about to vomit blood!" "Then maybe the Sealing Spell was weak!" "Impossible! Even though I don''t know its exact strength, those dozen or so mage officers are elite graduates from the Imperial Magic College, the Sealing Spell they used together couldn''t be weak!" "..." After a moment of silence, an unwilling young man gritted his teeth. "What should we do? Should we go help?" Upon hearing this, the blonde, blue-eyed Tia decisively shook her head. "No way! That guy''s mental state is obviously unstable. If we go up there, he''d definitely kill us too!" Chapter 143 - 143: England Hopes Every Officer and Soldier Diligently Perform Their Duties "So we just watch him slaughter these officers?" "What else? Do you want to start an all-out war with the ''Dragon'' in Shanghai for these Illusion Realm natives?!" "..." The young man was speechless, his clenched fists trembling slightly. Seeing this, Tia patted the young man''s shoulder, letting out a long, wistful sigh. "Frey, be mature. The Empire in the Illusion Realm is just a projection of past glory. Don''t get too caught up in it!" After speaking, Tia remained silent for a long time, looking at the bloodstained, brutal battlefield, and sighed with deep meaning. "Moreover, that guy might not be using his full strength. Even if we intervene, we might not be able to save them." "What?!!" Upon hearing this, everyone turned pale. If they didn''t know Tia had an extraordinary innate perception, they wouldn''t believe this at all. "It''s come to this point, and he''s not using his full strength?!" "That makes no sense!" "Wait! Could it be... he''s guarding against us?!" The moment this was said, everyone felt a chill run from the base of their spine straight to the top of their skull, raising goosebumps all over. "He knows we haven''t gone far!" "He knows we''re watching in secret!" With a few words, they figured out the reason, and the group felt their scalps tingle, as if they narrowly escaped from death''s door. "So he''s accounted for us from the start!" "But even so, he launched the attack without hesitation." "Is he waiting for us to get involved so he can kill us all together?!" Anger, shock, fear... various emotions churned in their hearts, their faces constantly changing, finally turning into a bitter and helpless sigh. "What the hell is this monster?!" Looking at the ravaged buildings in the distance, observing the intense and bloody battle, everyone let out an even more dejected sigh. "It''s over; we''re stuck in a cycle of slow suicide." "The front line doesn''t dare to retreat; if they retreat, the back line dies!" "The back line doesn''t dare to withdraw; if they withdraw, the front line dies!" "We''re stuck!" "It seems that in the end, only Quasi-General Harvey might survive..." On the gruesome battlefield, Quasi-General Harvey felt his initially raging heart being chilled by ice water, growing colder. In just a few minutes, more than half of the twenty-plus army officers had died, though they all fought desperately to leave wounds on the enemy before dying... But what made Quasi-General Harvey despair was that those wounds were closing up and scabbing over at a speed visible to the naked eye! At this rate, in just a few hours, all the scars on the enemy would completely disappear! This inhuman self-healing ability turned the results achieved by the Empire''s elites at the cost of their lives into a joke! What''s more, Quasi-General Harvey despaired at the enemy showing no signs of fatigue or exhaustion. S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. On the contrary, the more he fought, the braver he became, as if he was invigorated by stimulants, growing more frenzied and ecstatic with each enemy he killed! Looking at the battlefield littered with mangled corpses and severed limbs, the scarlet blood covering the entire banquet hall, Quasi-General Harvey''s heart ached as if gripped by invisible hands. No! No more deaths! These young men are the future pillars of the navy and army! They can''t be senselessly lost at the hands of this monster! They are the Empire''s hope for the future! Gritting his teeth, Quasi-General Harvey steeled his heart and activated the death battle system within his armor. Szzz~ Amidst the faint sound of steam, six tubes hidden within the armor pierced his skin, injecting the thick liquid into his veins instantly! The next second, an uncontrollable euphoria and destructive urge surged into his mind! All negative emotions like fear, sorrow, and pain vanished in an instant, replaced by indescribable confidence and courage. Quasi-General Harvey felt an endless surge of power inside him, and for a moment, he thought he could match a God! But his remaining sanity told him this was just an illusion caused by the drug exhausting his life, and he had to seize the limited time to give the young men a chance! "Royal Navy, heed my command: cut off the sealing skill, and everyone retreat immediately!" Quasi-General Harvey let out a low roar, the complex patterns on his gold-plated armor blooming with radiant spirit light, and the eye-visible magic power flowed within, condensing into a unique and poignant magical halo. Seeing this death battle symbol that they had only seen in textbooks, every Brittania officer''s eyes shimmered with tears. Instead of obeying orders, they gripped their weapons tightly and chanted quietly in unison. "England expects that every man will do his duty!" Realizing that these young men had resolved to die, Quasi-General Harvey glared angrily. "No! Go now! Cover the navy''s retreat!!" "General..." "This isn''t a war! This is a massacre! You can''t die meaninglessly! Remember to avenge me! Make the entire Qing Country pay!" Boom! Noticing the signs of Zhu Haomiao''s attack, Quasi-General Harvey took the initiative, his life-overdrafting medicine granting him unimaginable strength. His explosive power and speed were no longer inferior to the enemy''s, forcing him back with a single blow! Staring intently at Zhu Haomiao, Quasi-General Harvey didn''t dare to turn his head, violently driving his beloved Magic Armor at full throttle, squeezing every potential out of both the armor and his spirit and body, while issuing an angry low roar to his subordinates behind him. "Don''t let my death be in vain!" "Retreat! That''s an order!" He had to hold this monster back to buy time for the young men''s escape! And hearing their commander''s roar, the young men hesitated no longer, starting to retreat in order, ready to cover the naval mages'' withdrawal. However, Zhu Haomiao''s gaze bypassed the general who was as if facing a great enemy, looking at those young officers who were filled with hatred and unwillingness. "If you don''t want to go, then none of you are leaving!" Suddenly raising his gaze, a wild burst of essence exploded from the depths of his dark and sinister pupils, the energy that had been accumulated for a long time burst forth violently! [Storage Explosion]! Boom! It was as if a phantasmal explosion sounded in his ears, the highly compressed energy sprayed out from his Dantian, instantly flooding the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. Almost at the same time, noticing Zhu Haomiao''s movement, Quasi-General Harvey took preemptive action, charging towards him with the resolute momentum of mutual destruction. "Don''t even think about it!" However, before the words were finished, the massive target in front of him vanished without a trace, leaving only an afterimage. Even with Quasi-General Harvey''s perception at that moment, he couldn''t track the enemy''s movement. The next moment, a shrill scream echoed from behind him. "Ah!!" Squeak~ The alloy-cast soles produced smoke as they screeched on the floor. Quasi-General Harvey abruptly turned his head, seeing Zhu Haomiao had already "Instant Teleported" among the mages, punching a young naval officer straight through. Chapter 144 - 144: No Hope Pulling his arm out from the enemy''s chest, revealing a huge, gaping wound, Zhu Haomiao held his breath, filled with [Storage Explosion], taking advantage of the brief energy burst for a rampant massacre! Smack~ A palm the size of a fan burst the nearest head, while the other hand sliced like a knife, brutally cutting a man in half with raw power! Only then did these frail mages react, beginning their futile attempts at self-rescue. But when a monster of a Martial Artist charged at them, their proud life-saving skills seemed utterly powerless! Fist! Palm! Fingers! Claw! Knee strike! Whip leg! ... A steel-like massive shell transformed into a humanoid killing machine, wantonly slaughtering amidst fragile bodies, every move easily demolishing any defense, leaving behind a grotesquely twisted corpse. In a flash, the naval officers at the back were slaughtered, and only then did the armored warriors catch up with Zhu Haomiao, howling to stop his slaughter! S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Stop it, you beast!" But ignoring these metal cans, Zhu Haomiao caught up to the last mage, grabbed his ankle, and swung him up, slamming his head against the steel concrete beam with a desperate scream! Bang! A magic spirit light protected his head, though it bled from every orifice, it kept him alive. Yet Zhu Haomiao mercilessly swung around like a whip, smacking him against the beam with even greater force! Pop~ This time, nothing could save him; his head burst like a watermelon, the sticky red, yellow, and white splattering everywhere, spattering all over the face of Harvey, who was charging ahead. Wiping the smelly thick liquid from his face, Quasi-General Harvey could no longer suppress his anger, the armor all over him glowing like the dazzling light of the sun. "Damn yellow monkey!! I will kill you!!!!!!" Watching the enraged enemy charging straight towards him, observing the almost palpable wild energy surrounding him, Zhu Haomiao coldly smiled, neither dodging nor avoiding, he sank, clenched, stored power! Charged! Having slaughtered the mage group, the strong sealing spell broke without attack. The runic chains entwining his limbs quietly snapped, countless runes as fine as mosquitoes incinerated by the blood-red flame, turning instantly into curling blue smoke. At this point, he returned to his peak state, with the last lingering effects of [Anger], [Stacked Waves Strength], and [Storage Explosion], his power reached an incredible level! Boom! A steel monster, a flesh monster, two gigantic figures collided without any embellishment, a visible shockwave erupted from where they met, leveling the entire banquet hall! Rumble~ The scattered Qi force blew bricks and stones into the air. Despite the distance, the onlookers hiding in the shadows felt the gale lashing their skin painfully. "This..." Staring at the exaggerated combat scene, a group of young boys and girls wearing golden Three Lions Badges looked at each other, swallowing their saliva dryly. "Dominance?" "I''ve never heard of any contestant advancing to dominance?" "Could he be a ''Dragon'' staff member?" "Unlikely, that guy looked younger than us!" Yet while they whispered, dust settled in the nearby ruins, and a robust, burly figure shook off the rubble and slowly rose. Seeing the clearly weakened and diminished figure, a boy couldn''t help but lick his lips. "He''s severely injured, should we..." Before he even finished speaking, Tia next to him coldly smiled. "You can die if you want; that guy clearly has something in reserve, ready to fish for his prey!" Hearing this, the boys and girls, eager to move, felt a chill up their spines. "He''s actually trying to bait us into attacking in such a condition?!" "He hasn''t even gone all out?!" After the initial shock, the young boys and girls gritted their teeth as they gazed at the battlefield. The descender from China was truly insidious! We didn''t provoke him, yet he''s plotting to kill us! And in the midst of the battlefield, sensing the distant Brittania contenders lowering their flags, Zhu Haomiao regretfully clicked his tongue. "Tsk~" Even though it was an act, his condition really did drop significantly, falling into a weakened state. [Storage Explosion] was strong, but its side effects were equally apparent. After an outburst, it takes a long time to recover... Additionally, having not dodged and confronted the enemy''s strongest charge head-on, he had broken a few bones, with muscle damage over a large area... But if they took advantage and attacked, he could fully activate the [Lust] authority, restoring eighty to ninety percent of his combat power in a short time and killing them as well! Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but sigh with regret. Their spirituality and perception are very sharp; I acted so realistically... eh, I got so heavily injured, yet they still held back... Unfortunately, it seems there''s no opportunity for "self-defense"... Forget it, better start "rescuing people". Clicking his tongue, Zhu Haomiao gently moved his limbs, his bloodshot eyes scanning the ruins, identifying several faint life signals. Crash~ Sweeping aside broken bricks and rubble, Zhu Haomiao dug out an unconscious officer in armor, gently patting his cheek. "Hey! Wake up!" Smack~smack~smack~ But even after slapping his face swollen, the heavily unconscious officer remained unresponsive, prompting Zhu Haomiao to sigh helplessly and twist his top of the skull gently. Crack~ The fragile neck vertebrae twisted a full 360 degrees, and Zhu Haomiao discarded the corpse in his hand, moving towards the next life signal buried under the rubble. He pulled the person out with two moves, seeing his arm clearly twisted at a bizarre angle, Zhu Haomiao regretfully pressed his lips together. "Sigh, can''t be saved..." Crack~ Skillfully twisting the head off, ending his suffering, Zhu Haomiao continued the "rescue". "This one has sunstroke, can''t be saved." Crack~ "This one has a bump on the head, can''t be saved." Crack~ "This one has internal injuries, can''t be saved." Crack~ "This one has a concussion, can''t be¡ª" "Ughhhhh!!!!" "Huh? You woke up? Close your eyes quickly! You can''t be saved!" Crack~ "Ugh!!" "Hey? You woke up too? Don''t run, your foot is bent backward, what are you wriggling on the ground for?" "No, don''t come near!" A grimy-faced warrior screamed, using his elbows to support his body, desperately crawling and wriggling on the ground, only to be forcefully dragged back by Zhu Haomiao gripping his twisted leg. "Don''t be afraid, I''m benevolent, I can''t bear to see others suffer." "Wait! I can still be saved! I can still be saved!" Chapter 145 - 145: Anger Secret Ceremony (1K Monthly Ticket Extra) "No, you can''t be saved. I''m very... Bah, I''m very quick. Just hold on." "I''m the only heir of the Warren family! I''m nobility, I can pay the ran... Gah!!" Snap~ The violent struggling and whimpering abruptly ceased as Zhu Haomiao''s fluid movements suddenly paused, his pupils slightly contracted. Wait, did he just say the word ransom? Incredulously staring at the head in his hand, twisted 360 degrees, and its grim, twisted expression, eyes unable to shut in death, Zhu Haomiao instantly wore a mask of pain. No, bro... If you had money, why didn''t you say so earlier!!! Twisting his head back and setting it straight again, Zhu Haomiao carefully cradled his cheeks, trying to find a sliver of life. Yet as soon as he let go, the broken neck couldn''t support the head, making it wobble around on his shoulders like a prayer wheel, the grim eyes refusing to close wandering everywhere. Zhu Haomiao: "......" It''s over. This neck is like a propeller; really can''t be saved! Throwing the corpse away in utter grief, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but look at his bloodstained hands. Why can''t I control these hands?! Fiercely smacking his own hand backs, Zhu Haomiao looked around, trying to find another survivor. But under his highly efficient "rescue," all surviving sparks of life had long been snuffed out by him. "......" Why didn''t you say you had money earlier?!! You''d rather die than let me get rich, huh?! Your hearts are so black!! After a bout of impotent rage, Zhu Haomiao collected his feelings and slowly walked toward the last flicker of life like a candle in the wind. Embedded deeply in the last remaining beam of a reinforced concrete house, Harvey, with his armor severely deformed, had a steady stream of thick blood flowing from his mouth like a waterfall. Yet his poisonous, hateful eyes were firmly locked on the approaching Zhu Haomiao. Standing slowly in front of him, Zhu Haomiao looked down upon his eyes. There was no disdain, no hatred, no anger, but this ant-like pitiful gaze deeply pierced Harvey''s spirit. "Son of a bitch..." "Beast..." "Fuck you..." His throat choked with blood, listening to his indistinct helpless rage, Zhu Haomiao sighed slightly with exasperation, bending slightly, placing a hand near his ear, making a listening gesture. "What did you say? Speak up, I can''t hear you!" To be humiliated even when close to death made Harvey quake with rage, more blood gushing from the corner of his mouth. As if experiencing a final burst of energy, Harvey regained his strength and sneered at Zhu Haomiao with his eyes fixed tightly. "Don''t be arrogant. There are dozens of generals in the Empire stronger than me, they will avenge me!" But the expected apprehension didn''t show; instead, Harvey saw a deep joy and anticipation from the other''s eyes. "I don''t need to seek you out, you''ll come to me voluntarily?" "Is there really such a good thing?!" "......" Harvey stared blankly at Zhu Haomiao, trying to catch a glint of fear or pretense in his eyes. But to his bewilderment, this guy was smiling like an innocent child. As if the generals of the Empire were not seeking revenge, but bringing him gifts! Madman! A single word leapt into his mind. Harvey stared blankly at Zhu Haomiao, with his vitality exhausted to the limit gradually flickering out, the light in his eyes dimming. At the very last moment of his life, an inexplicable fear surged within him. In a daze, he seemed to see an endless sea of corpses and blood behind Zhu Haomiao, with trillions of skeletal bones piled into a landmass. In the horrific depths of Hell, Zhu Haomiao''s shadow projected an indescribable monstrous evil, radiating dark flames like a sun, emitting unspeakable twisted whispers. "Devil! Satan!" A sudden revelation, on the brink of death, Harvey faintly saw through Zhu Haomiao''s shell-hiding essence, screaming hysterically. "God!" "You''ll go to Hell!" "The Lord will judge you, you''ll fall eternally into a lake of fire!" Listening to his inexplicable wailing, Zhu Haomiao tilted his head curiously. "God? How many divisions does God have?" "......" "I''ve never killed God. Let him come and spar with me~" Staring at Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, Harvey''s eyes became dimmer and dimmer, muttering mouthfuls, like curses, like prayers. "Desecration... Devil... Antichrist..." Realizing this guy''s about to die, Zhu Haomiao hurriedly took action. Snap~ Like slaughtering a chicken, breaking Harvey''s neck, Zhu Haomiao slowly straightened up, drawing a satisfied deep breath. After killing the last enemy, guided by spirituality, some kind of cruel ritual was completely completed invisibly. A scarlet mist covered hundreds of meters, turning the entire manor into a twisted and evil altar. In the next second, a scarlet thread wafted from all the bodies, countless thin mists converging and condensing, forming a drop of blood in front of Zhu Haomiao, exuding a high-temperature red light, hot and sticky as molten lava. Destruction! Slaughter! Ruin! Madness! ...... Feeling the profound divinity contained in this drop of blood, Zhu Haomiao narrowed his eyes, and the blood hovering in front of him instantly sunk into his brow. Boom! The bloodshot eyes bulged wide, an extreme pain filled his brain. An indescribable ferocious energy surged within him, his heart began beating uncontrollably faster, and the blood vessels all over his body bulged and writhed like black earthworms. In the Spiritual Vision of onlookers, a ferocious blood-red light soared into the sky, and the terrible pressure hundreds of meters away made people''s hearts shudder with fear. "He... he actually wasn''t using his full strength!!" Exchanging incredulous glances, even Tia hadn''t anticipated that the other side was hiding such immense power. "Just to lure us in, that guy put on such a pathetic act! How insidious!" As the crowd grew infuriated in terror and resentment, not far away, the towering blood light slowly receded and extinguished, and the over two-meter tall burly figure shrank, returning to its original slender and well-proportioned form in no time. Phew~ Exhaling a long breath, the bulging veins on Zhu Haomiao''s face gradually receded, and the twisted, writhing madness of blood in his eyes sank deep into his pupils, suppressed to the lowest depths of his sea of consciousness. Controlling [anger], [Dao Heart]+10 Dao Heart: LV.2¡úLV.3 (8/300) If it weren''t for [Dao Heart] coincidentally leveling up, I might not have been able to suppress the upgraded [anger] so easily... With newfound understanding, Zhu Haomiao took slow and deep breaths, casting his gaze towards the [Book of Black]. Completion of [anger] secret ceremony, [anger]+3000 [anger]: LV.5¡úLV.7 (80/3000) [Strength] +10 [Qi] +7 S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Body] +9 [Dexterity] +8 Letting his gaze linger on those special four characters, Zhu Haomiao nodded knowingly. Chapter 146 - 146: Devils in Hell The [anger] secret ceremony... Slaughter, destruction! But ordinary "sacrifices" cannot satisfy the needs of the ritual; only occasions like today''s meet the criteria... By that reasoning, other Original Sins should also have corresponding secret ceremonies. So what is Se Se''s secret ceremony? An opening silver party? Blinking his eyes, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a few seconds, suddenly feeling the pain spreading across his whole body. As the Extraordinary Power of [anger] dissipated, the adrenaline waned, and the pathological ecstatic sensation faded, his body frantically alerted the brain, indicating that every organ had suffered damage. Looking down, underneath the tattered clothes were countless scars; bones, muscles, and internal organs were also somewhat injured. Though none were particularly severe, the accumulation was quite troubling. An ordinary Transcendent would need at least ten days to half a month to recover combat strength after such a battle... Fortunately... I have Lust... With a thought, a trace of pink emanated from the depths of his pupils, and a faint, pleasant fragrance enveloped Zhu Haomiao. S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [Lust]! With full activation of the supernatural authority of [Lust], the non-human self-healing ability began to manifest gradually. Wounds all over his body slowly closed, and pink granulation moved like tiny worms, covering the wounds with a thin layer of scabby shell in an instant. Having roughly treated the injuries, Zhu Haomiao stopped the activation, preserving the precious [Essence] reserve, and cast his gaze towards the onlooking crowd secretly watching. Noticing his gaze, a group of young boys and girls appeared awkward, unable to advance or retreat. Advance, a bit scared... Retreat, too embarrassing... After all, they were representatives of the country''s Ascension Contestants; how could they mix in the future if they were scared away like this? Fortunately, Zhu Haomiao did not leave them in suspense for long. Seeing that this group had no intention of confronting, he could only regretfully shake his head, like an actor who finished a play, placing a hand on his chest, slightly bowing, elegantly saying goodbye to them. Clearly a courteous gesture, but the crowd tasted a strong mocking tone, and their faces immediately turned sour. Yet, they dared not rush up to demand an explanation, only watching helplessly as Zhu Haomiao walked to a nearby main road, sat in a low-profile, luxurious black sedan, and vanished from their sight. "The local descenders are truly rude!" "His chaotic killing is unethical; we can report him to the [Yanhuang Armory]!" "But... it seems that professional soldiers are not protected by the Transcendent convention..." "Still can''t kill randomly!" ... Listening to the friends'' complaints ringing in her ears, Tia watched the taillights of the black sedan disappear completely, biting her lip unsatisfied. "Brother, is this the monster you mentioned?" "In front of them, am I already impressive just for being alive?" Her pale fingers deeply embedded in her flesh, Tia looked towards the disappearing direction of the black sedan, fiercely biting her teeth. "No! I''m not convinced! I will not give up!" ............ "Squeak!" In the car, Diao Chan, who had been sitting in the passenger seat gnawing on corn, excitedly jumped onto him upon seeing his return, ignoring the dust and bloodstains, rubbing and licking zealously. Zhu Haomiao held this little one in his arms, gently caressing its smooth fur, the last hint of frantic restlessness in his heart gradually calming, his gaze completely regaining clarity. Subsequently, he began assessing his condition, reviewing the night''s actions. The [Qi] was almost exhausted; indeed, rampant output must be backed by substantial reserves... Feeling his empty Dantian, Zhu Haomiao sighed helplessly. [anger]! [Hard Qi Skill]! [Stacked Waves Strength]! [Gale Force]! [Storage Explosion]! Compared to these "energy-consuming" giants, the [Qi] attribute is never enough! Mainly, he could use three Basic Forces simultaneously, the consumption per unit time much higher than ordinary Transcendents of the same level! Of course, the huge consumption also meant combat strength far exceeding those of the same level! If there was enough [Qi], even against real dominance, he probably could last quite a long time. Perhaps... next, I should focus on cultivating Inner Strength and external skills... Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. Compared to [Fighting Technique], [Cultivation Technique] does not directly enhance the Martial Arts Transcendent''s surface combat strength, but it represents the foundation and heritage! Sharper insight! Faster combat reaction! More abundant energy! Longer endurance! Stronger all-around resistance! Much faster self-healing recovery ability! [Martial] has the Eight Basic Forces, [Skill] has internal and external secret techniques reaching the nine-layered heaven, together forming the reason Chinese [Martial Arts] crushes other countries'' Battle Profession Systems! No few millennia of continuous civilization can build such a mature and balanced cultivation system! Other countries, with a much shallower heritage! Even the West''s most mature Ascension path¡ªthe [Fire Sword Path], can only contend with the Chinese system in certain domains... no comparison in universality... Crossing his leg, Zhu Haomiao intermittently caressed Diao Chan''s snow-white fur, gazing distantly out the window. The neon lights of the ten miles of foreign markets remained splendid, echoing with the blurry light; wave after wave of police cars blaring harsh sirens intersected with the black sedan, rushing to a certain "terrorist attack" crime scene. "Tsk tsk~" Why rush so fast, to collect the corpses? Chuckling, shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao stroked Diao Chan''s snowy, fluffy fur, whispering instructions to Wilson, who was driving. "To the altar." "As you command." ......... Looking at the mess before him, like a ruined manor trampled by a giant beast, Sherlock Worth took out his pipe, struggling to find words. "Did Godzilla land in Shanghai?" "What did you say?" "Nothing, continue cleaning the scene." Casually dismissing the local police nearby, Sherlock Worth waved his hand, walking towards the distant family group. After escaping from the crime scene, many of these people were observing secretly, witnessing the entire "terrorist attack" process. "Devil! That''s a Devil from in Hell!" "He''s six meters tall! Green-faced with tusks! Arms thicker than a common person''s waist!" "He emitted a bloody glow all over!" "He had horns on his head!" ...... Listening to these people''s agitated cries, Sherlock Worth took out a sketchbook, quickly sketching a vivid image. Six meters tall, green-faced with tusks, horns on the head, exuding bloody light... Uh... wait! Looking at the "suspect sketch" he drew, Sherlock Worth found his brain filled with black lines. This thing is just the stereotypical image of a Devil in epic oil paintings, isn''t it? Chapter 147 - 147: Morality and Etiquette Still Bind Him Painfully pinching his brow, Sherlock Worth tore off the simulated portrait, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it away. If he found someone with this thing, it would be a ghost! Afterward, he no longer paid attention to the emotional natives and turned his gaze toward a few teenagers in the corner. Entrusting the task of comforting the families to the native police, Sherlock Worth walked up, smiling lightly, and nodded. "Hello." "Hello." The leading girl nodded modestly, her emotions indifferent, seemingly unwilling to say more. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing this, Sherlock Worth merely opened his coat, revealing the inner lining with a purple-gold three lions badge adorned with a crown. "Scotland Yard Superintendent¡ªSherlock Worth, you''re the contestants, right?" Seeing the noble and elegant purple-gold luster, the group of teenagers immediately assumed a respectful demeanor, their previously impatient looks turning clear and respectful. "Yes, sir." "What exactly happened?" "It was done by ''Dragon''s'' people!" "That guy was too rude!" "We should lodge a complaint with the ''Yanhuang Armory''!" Restricted by the Transcendent''s Covenant, they couldn''t disclose any information related to reality to the Illusion Realm creatures. Now seeing their "superior" here, they suddenly found their backbone and started pouring out their grievances. Listening to their description, Sherlock Worth quickly sketched out the full picture of the event in his mind. He could not help biting his pipe, his brows tightly knitted. "Why did ''Dragon''s'' people attack the Britannian officer banquet?" "Is China preparing to intervene expansively in this world?" "It shouldn''t be, the Permanent Gate hasn''t been completed, and countries around the world don''t have the energy to develop this Illusion Realm..." Upon hearing his muttering, Tia hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and spoke up. "I think this has nothing to do with the higher-ups in China, it''s a typical lone wolf incident!" "Hmm?!" Sherlock Worth''s eyelids twitched, and he glanced around at the blonde girl, suddenly showing a friendly smile. "Are you Elizabeth Tia?" "Uh... yes." "I am friends with your brother, didn''t expect to meet you in this setting." Engaging in some casual talk, Sherlock Worth swiftly steered the discussion back to the main topic. "Why do you believe it''s a lone wolf incident?" Tia pondered for a moment, organized her words, and spoke methodically. "First, the attacker acted alone!" "Second, the attacker''s mental state seemed a bit strange, not looking premeditated." "Third, the attacker admitted himself that he stormed in on a whim upon seeing the ''No Chinese and Dogs Allowed'' sign outside..." Hearing this, Sherlock Worth vaguely caught the point and, somewhat pained, held his forehead. This was absolutely something a Chinese martial artist could do! If they didn''t see that sign, they could turn a blind eye to it, but once they saw it... If they couldn''t vent that pent-up anger, it would be worse than killing them! If it were serious, it would cause them to have blockages in their Qi, even damaging their Dao Heart and giving rise to heart demons! But, this guy seemed a bit too strong... Looking back at the primary structure of the manor, almost turned to ruins, Sherlock Worth subtly squinted his eyes. Those native officers weren''t powerless mortals; they were war machines meticulously cultivated by The Sun Never Sets Empire! Even for him, solving them required quite some effort... And based on Tia''s description, that guy withstood the Sealing Skill and siege and killed off a group of officers! No tactical skill, purely brute force suppression! More crucially, that guy''s real age seemed to be a year or two younger than Tia and the others! At this thought, Sherlock Worth''s breath hitched, his pupils shrinking sharply. Could it be the legendary ''Abyss''?!! China''s son?! That''s someone of the same level as Mr. Gabriel! Hoo~ Taking a deep breath, Sherlock Worth looked at the teenagers in front of him with a complex and relieved gaze. "Fortunately... he still adhered to the rules, didn''t indiscriminately kill the innocent..." Upon hearing this, the group of teenagers seemed to have their sore spots touched and couldn''t help but complain. "That guy is really nasty, he kept trying to provoke us to act!" "From start to finish, he wanted to kill us along with them!" "So insidious!" "Luckily Tia saw through his plot, otherwise we would have fallen for it!" Listening to these young people''s oblivious complaints, Sherlock Worth could only show a polite yet awkward smile. "You should be thankful that ''Dragon''s'' ''morality'' and ''etiquette'' still restrain him..." Listening to Sherlock Worth''s meaningful murmurings, Tia frowned slightly, involuntarily recalling her brother''s warnings to her. Why do all you adults, layer upon layer, look down on me?! Am I very weak? Every time, you make me sound like a muggle! I am a peak Master just a step away from dominance!! Yet, completely unaware of the girl''s internal discontent, Sherlock Worth looked toward the ruins, his gaze spanning a long distance, landing on a body deeply embedded in the steel-and-concrete beam. "One quasi-general, a dozen colonels, over thirty lieutenant colonels and majors..." "This time, the whole Sun Never Sets Empire will be heartbroken." ......... Meanwhile, in a dark underground space several dozen kilometers from the crime scene, a bloody and cruel sacrificial ceremony was slowly unfolding. Nearly a hundred severely sinful individuals screamed, wailing, suspended in mid-air by an invisible force, twisted in a spiral bit by bit, extracting the last trace of ''value.'' Brain matter, blood, bone marrow, Source Quality, Qi Fortune, lifespan, health, beauty, Strength... Tangible, intangible, abstract, concrete... All elements of ''value'' condensed under the Authority of ''greed,'' the initially illusory concept manifested and collapsed into real, tangible shining gold coins. Subsequently, the remains of the bodies drained of ''value'' dropped and piled up, forming a Corpse Pyramid at the center of the Seven-pointed Star Array, and atop the pyramid, a small pile of lavish, radiant gold coins hung in the air, emanating a soul-stirring seven-colored divine light. ''Greed'': LV.5¡úLV.6 (193/2000) ''God'' +6 ''Essence'' +5 ''Qi'' +2 Feeling the mysterious energy injecting into himself out of nowhere, Zhu Haomiao sighed contentedly, waved his hand casually, and the greed coins floating in the void transformed into myriad streams of light, falling into the hands of each ''believer'' participating in the sacrifice. Ranging from three to five coins, or just one or two, everyone received their desired ''reward'' and immediately and excitedly bought ''miracles'' beyond mortal imagination! Beauty, health, Strength, lifespan, wealth... The ''value'' squeezed from the sacrifices was re-nourished back into the believers, bringing them transformative changes. Chapter 148 - 148: Every gift from fate has long been secretly marked with a price. Looking at the believers below the stage, their eyes rolling back, expressions twisted in a grotesque manner like a bunch of high junkies, Zhu Haomiao sneered and curled his lips, murmuring softly in a voice as tiny as a mosquito. "Indulge in your greed..." Every gift from fate has long been marked with a price in the shadows. With a meaningful smirk, Zhu Haomiao glanced at Wilson, who stood respectfully beside him. Having absorbed nearly ten [Greed Coins] in one go, Wilson did not lose composure like the believers below, his expression remained calm and composed. However, the black light in his pupils grew even more abyss-like, resembling an unfathomable bottomless abyss! Gazing at the black light swaying and twisting in Wilson''s eyes, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t suppress a smile. In the depths of his mind, he had a premonition that he and this [Container] were becoming increasingly harmonious, and maybe when [Greed] advanced to the next stage, some unexpected qualitative change might occur. With a faint expectation, Zhu Haomiao willed his thoughts, and Wilson held a gorgeous jewel-encrusted box, kneeling respectfully in front of the youth. Clenching his fist above the opened box, Zhu Haomiao slightly relaxed his hand, and the dazzling [Greed Coins] fell like a waterfall into the box below, producing a series of pleasant tinkling sounds. Dividing half of the remaining [Greed Coins] as Wilson''s budget for developing believers, Zhu Haomiao sighed with some regret. After a round of sacrifice, the "net profit" left for himself was only about a hundred coins, with the majority returned to the believers as "kickbacks"! Where else in the world can you find such a conscientious boss like me! You''re lucky to come across me, you sinners! Clicking his tongue, Zhu Haomiao silently left the scene, preparing to retreat to the sleeping tomb for recovery. Although after his [Dao Heart] advanced to LV.3, his Illusion Realm''s endurance improved to the extent of over thirty days, allowing him to stay for another ten days for adjustments. But after a fierce battle, he felt exhausted both physically and mentally, with injuries all over his body being particularly uncomfortable. Might as well fall into a deep sleep, letting his body naturally heal, so that he could make trouble again in a renewed full form next time! Oh, and by the way, I can break through [Inner Strength] and [External Skills]... However, just as Zhu Haomiao was heartlessly returning to his vacation, a violent storm blew from the Far East to Europe, and the entire world was shocked and dismayed by a [Blood-colored Banquet] massacre! Boom! The top-grade solid wood desk was smashed into splinters by a punch, and Red Dragon Duke Joseph Cristo''s pupils turned into reptilian vertical slits, radiating a cruel bloody light. The colonial official standing in front of him trembled uncontrollably, as if the weight of the entire heavens and earth were pressing down on him, ready to crush him to powder! "An Empire Quasi-General, over forty officers..." "We conquered the entire South Asia Subcontinent without losing so many officers!!" A low, oppressed roar vibrated through the air, and the terrifying growl didn''t sound like a human voice, more like the resonance from a large carnivorous animal''s chest. "And you, you useless bastards, can''t even find the murderer!" The colonial official wiped his cold sweat and explained while trembling. "We''ve mobilized all intelligence networks, but the opponent seems to have vanished without a trace, with no clues!" "Useless!" "How could someone who could single-handedly massacre dozens of Empire officers have no clues?" "Let the local yellow-skinned monkeys find them!" "If they can''t find them, I''ll go to the Qing Court Imperial Capital, chop off their emperor''s head, and hang his pigtail from the battleship''s mast!" The colonial official, seeming to smell a strong blood odor, wiped his cold sweat and nodded dryly. "As you command." At that moment, the office door opened without warning, and Joseph Cristo''s tiger eyes widened, ready to explode, but seeing the figure that entered, he forcibly suppressed his anger. "Hiram, why are you not protecting the Empress at home and running to the Far East?" "Greetings to the esteemed Red Dragon Duke." Hiram greeted neither humbly nor arrogantly, and said in a flat and straightforward tone. "The [Blood-colored Banquet] massacre shocked the entire Empire; almost every family in the Upper and Lower House is in mourning, the Warren Marquisate, Duke Harper, Count Isco, and over a dozen families lost heirs, with five ancient families extinct. The Empress demands an explanation." "I will give the Empress a satisfactory answer as soon as possible!" "No! I will be responsible for this matter." Upon hearing this, Joseph Cristo squinted his eyes, the reptilian-like scarlet vertical pupils fixed on Hiram. The overwhelming and terrifying pressure loomed over, even with Hiram''s mindset, he couldn''t help but frown deeply. "Your Grace, this is the Empress''s order." The soft words pierced the heart like a needle, and Joseph Cristo understood that this was the Empress expressing dissatisfaction with him, he slowly took a deep breath, removing his threatening gaze. Upon seeing this, Hiram relaxed his tense nerves, but he also did not wish to antagonize the Empire''s power holders, offering a diplomatic explanation. "Your Grace, don''t misunderstand. The Empress has dispatched a Round Table Knights group to the Far East. I will lead them to investigate without affecting your work." Hearing Hiram''s explanation, Joseph Cristo finally suppressed his hostility completely, waving his hand coldly. "Go ahead, I''ll have local officials cooperate with you." "Thank you, Your Grace!" ........... Time passed swiftly S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. In the dark, secluded sleeping tomb, a long-sleeping figure quietly opened his eyes. Buzz~ Faint black light rippled silently, and the space-time in the entire subterranean tomb rippled invisibly, as if trembling and shivering due to the descent of some will. Confused chaotic thoughts gradually cleared, connecting with pre-slumber memories, Zhu Haomiao instinctively looked at the [Book of Black]. [Big Toad Qi]: LV.4¡úLV.5 (Great Success) [Qi] +4 [God] +3 [Dexterity] +1 [Hard Qi Skill]: LV.4¡úLV.5 (Great Success) [Body] +3 [Strength] +3 [Essence] +2 Clenching his fists, carefully comprehending the wondrous realm after the breakthrough in cultivation techniques, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, his entire chest and abdomen swelling dramatically like a balloon. Gurgle~ gurgle~ gurgle~ Inner Qi circulated in the five internal organs, carrying away invisible toxins and impurities, exhaling bit by bit with each breath. Amidst the toad-like gurgling of his internal organs, Zhu Haomiao expelled a mouthful of fetid foul Qi, feeling a refreshing coolness circulating through his organs, very comfortable. The breathing efficiency of the Great Achievement realm [Big Toad Qi] nearly doubled, and the refining effect on the organs was more powerful... It felt a bit like foundation-building techniques in a cultivation novel... Chapter 149 - 149: Longevity Species View on Time After testing the effects of inner strength, Zhu Haomiao once again activated his inner breath, and a faint metallic sheen appeared visibly on the back of his hand. In the spiritual vision, his skin emanated a metallic texture, as if an invisible armor covered his entire body, giving the young man an illusion of being indestructible for a moment. Clang clang~ S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He flicked his skin with his finger, and the faint metallic clanging sound made Zhu Haomiao''s eyes light up. Combined with his strong physique, it seemed that even small-caliber pistols couldn''t penetrate it! Then, Zhu Haomiao recalled a previous encounter with an ADC holding a special sniper rifle, and his excitement quickly calmed down. That thing still couldn''t be stopped, let alone an anti-tank cannon! Damn it! Still not strong enough... If I can''t even withstand guns and cannons, when will I be able to take a nuke to the face?! With a sigh of disappointment, Zhu Haomiao''s gaze moved downward, looking at his six-dimensional attributes. [God]: 30¡ú37 (2)¡ü [Dexterity]: 30¡ú37 (2)¡ü [Strength]: 37¡ú44 (6)¡ü [Essence]: 32¡ú39 [Qi]: 36¡ú43 (6)¡ü [Physique]: 37¡ú44 (5)¡ü Except for the [Essence] attribute, the other five dimensions were not fully digested, but the physical injuries were completely healed. Gently stretching his limbs, Zhu Haomiao suddenly frowned, holding his stomach. Gurgle gurgle~~~ The empty stomach contracted in spasms, faintly emitting a hissing sound of bubbles, which was the sound of stomach acid digesting itself. "Squeak~" As if sensing its owner''s hunger, a mink head popped out from his collar, offering a grape like a treasure and stuffing it into the boy''s mouth without a word. Seeing the shiny grape covered in saliva, Zhu Haomiao disdainfully raised his head, dodging left and right. I, Zhu Haomiao, would rather starve to death! Die outside! Than eat your saliva-covered stuff!! He pressed the well-meaning Diao Chan back into his collar and flipped up, heading straight for the "canteen." Several minutes later, the hungry youth arrived at [Xinghua House], spotted from afar by the concierge boy who eagerly greeted him. "Mr. Zhu, it''s been a while since you came! Please, come inside!" Following the boy inside, Zhu Haomiao suddenly paused at the door, looking at a blue-faced tusked portrait hanging by the entrance. "What''s this thing? Looks so... distinctive?" Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but click his tongue in wonder. This portrait was so conspicuous that everyone entering or leaving would inevitably see it. The key point was that it looked very eye-catching! "Mr. Zhu, you may not know, but this warrior... ahem, this fierce person caused a major incident a while ago. He stormed a Westerner''s banquet and slaughtered dozens of barbarian officers." "Now the barbarians... um, friendly nations are outraged, and the court has issued a sea arrest warrant, asking all of us to keep a watchful eye day and night to find him!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." The amused smile on his face slowly faded as the boy stared at the portrait, lost in deep thought. Sounds kind of familiar... But this thing, not to say it looks exactly like me, could only be described as completely unrelated... Am I really that ugly? Wait a minute! Height of twenty feet, waist of eight feet? Damn, is it a square?!! Gripping his fists in agony, Zhu Haomiao furiously stewed for a moment and then quickly put it behind him, striding into the restaurant''s main door. Just look for this, each wrong one not saying a word! "Same as always, thanks to the chefs in the back." "Don''t worry, the master chefs in the back eagerly await you every day, making sure you eat well!" The boy rubbed his hands excitedly, as if seeing stacks of silver notes in the youth''s pockets. Although serving this VIP was a bit tiring, the tips were extremely generous! Even when divided equally, everyone could receive tips equivalent to one or two months of salary! Now everyone up and down at [Xinghua House] eagerly awaits this god of wealth! Soon, after a hearty feast, his four-dimensional stomach was filled again, and Zhu Haomiao was full of energy, rushing towards [Yanhuang Armory] without hesitation. Familiar with the route to the underground arena, the boy found Wang Hua in the work area, giving his shoulder a light pat. "Senior Brother Wang, can I have some fries~" "Junior Brother Zhu, it''s been so long since you... hmm?" Turning to see Zhu Haomiao, Wang Hua''s face lit up with joy, suddenly noticing a touch of gold on his chest, his brows jumping. "When did you advance to gold?!!" "Huh? That was a while ago, you didn''t see when I greeted you last time?" "We barely met last time, and you hurried away. How could I notice such details!" With both envy and jealousy, Wang Hua lightly punched Zhu Haomiao, sighing wistfully. He knew this day would come sooner or later, but he didn''t expect it to come so fast! Back then, the little black iron newbie who knew nothing caught up to his energy level in just over two years! And the boy''s clear and naive eyes from their first meeting still seemed vivid in his mind... Subconsciously glancing at Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, Wang Hua couldn''t help but laugh. Now his gaze hasn''t changed much either, still goofy... "Senior Brother Wang, I feel like you''re thinking of something very disrespectful!" "No, you''re imagining it." Waving his hand, Wang Hua decisively changed the subject. "By the way, what were you just saying? Fries?" "You misheard, I asked for a match to be arranged." "What?!! The points matches are all over now; only revival matches are left. How can I arrange one for you?" "What?!! The point matches are over? They just started!" Shocked by the bad news, Zhu Haomiao''s heart ached as though he had lost a fortune! Then he suddenly realized a serious issue. "Wait, did I accumulate enough points?" Hearing this, Wang Hua couldn''t help but laugh: "After three matches, you were placed as a seeded contender and directly promoted to the next tier." "Besides, just started... the points matches have been going on for almost a year, you must be muddled!" Zhu Haomiao: "..." Due to the need for long periods of deep sleep to digest attributes, he often rested in the pitch-dark sleeping tomb, frequently closing his eyes and opening them to find dozens of days had passed! Time perception was evidently somewhat abnormal! A bit like a longevity species from a fantasy novel... But as long as the points are enough... Suddenly, Zhu Haomiao realized something and held his breath. "Wait, isn''t it the Jiawu year now!" "Yes, it''s already Jiawu, but the Eastern Learning Party in Korea has just started their uprising, and the full-scale war is estimated to be a few months away." Saying this, Wang Hua showed an evil grin, patting the boy''s shoulder. "I have work and can''t go to the battlefield; you help me beat those little idiots!" Zhu Haomiao patted his chest, twisting his mouth. "No problem!" He''s always been enthusiastic about dealing with taking down the Imperial Army! Chapter 150 - 150: Even a Mosquitos Leg is Still Meat "The Jiawu War is a key event in this Illusion Realm timeline shift, where many countries'' descenders are preparing to participate and gather Qi Fortune. Over in Korea, they''ve even discovered traces of real-world cults. Be cautious." At that moment, a familiar silhouette slowly approached the two of them and gently warned them. "Senior Brother Feng." Feng Zhaobai patted Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder, examining him with a complex expression, and let out a long sigh. "Were you the one responsible for the Blood-colored Banquet massacre?" "Ah? What''s the Blood-colored Banquet?" Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s confused expression, looking genuinely puzzled, Feng Zhaobai suspiciously furrowed his brows. "The Brittania officers'' banquet was attacked, with dozens of senior generals killed..." "Oh, that incident? Yeah, I did it." The young man casually waved his hand, his indifferent and relaxed attitude made Feng Zhaobai''s eyelid twitch! You massacred several divisions'' senior officers of the world''s top military power, not just squashed a few insects! Feng Zhaobai, hesitant to speak yet silent, rubbed his temples with a headache and helplessly sighed. "You... sigh... forget it, career soldiers aren''t protected by the Transcendents'' Accord, so if you killed them, then they''re dead. Just be cautious in the future; the native Brittania won''t take this lying down." Seeing that instead of being afraid, the young man seemed eager and excited, Feng Zhaobai sighed even more wearily. As his powers grow rapidly, the terror of Abyss Level creatures is gradually being revealed. Can I really guide him onto the right path? However, completely unaware of Feng Zhaobai''s worries about him, Zhu Haomiao rubbed his hands in anticipation, as if seeing a huge flock of fat ducks flying in automatically. Smacking his lips, pushing all sorts of bold ideas back down his heart, Zhu Haomiao turned to look at Feng Zhaobai, and softly asked. "Senior Brother Feng, if I''m going to Korea in a while, should I stockpile some Contribution Points and exchange all the cultivation techniques I want to learn?" Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai looked into the young man''s clear eyes, hesitated, and furrowed his brow. "What other cultivation techniques do you want to learn?" "Uh... at least learn all the Eight Basic Forces, and if I have any spare resources, I''d like to learn some strange door techniques..." Watching the young man counting on his fingers, Feng Zhaobai and Wang Hua exchanged glances, unable to resist interrupting. "Are you really planning to master all Eight Basic Forces?" "Huh? Is there a problem? Didn''t the forum say that once Eight Forces Combined, one becomes invincible?" "..." After a long silence, Feng Zhaobai rubbed his forehead in distress. "Theoretically, yes, but people''s energy is limited. Even top-tier experts who can use four Basic Forces simultaneously would choose one as their main attack focus, and the rest as support. It involves the High Sky Rank''s divinity compatibility issue, which isn''t something that can be explained in a few words..." Upon hearing this, Wang Hua nodded sympathetically, patting Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder. "Junior Brother Zhu, take a piece of advice from me. Don''t bite off more than you can chew. I also tried to master all Eight Forces and ended up wasting a lot of time¡ªwhen I think back on it now, I regret it..." Hearing these words, Feng Zhaobai was moved, changing his tone. "If it were someone else, I''d advise against biting off more than you can chew. But Junior Brother Zhu, you''re different from us. If you want to try, I don''t oppose it." "Huh?" Wang Hua looked at Feng Zhaobai in surprise, but quickly understood, closing his mouth knowingly, and with a complex expression, he looked at Zhu Haomiao''s handsome profile. Junior Brother Zhu''s essence... is likely more monstrous and non-human than I imagined... Immediately, Feng Zhaobai tentatively asked. "Junior Brother Zhu, if it''s convenient, can you tell me your current cultivation technique realms?" "Of course, the technique at the highest realm is Stacked Waves Strength, it''s already at Great Perfection." "Next are Gale Force, Big Toad Qi, and Hard Qi Skill, all three are in the Great Success Realm, stuck at the bottleneck before Perfect Realm." "The weakest are Plum Blossom Step and Storage Explosion, both just at Mastery Realm..." Listening to the young man list his cultivation technique realms, Feng Zhaobai and Wang Hua exchanged a glance, shaking their heads and sighing in unison, full of emotion. To know this kid is a monster, but didn''t expect him to be monstrous to this extent! "By the way, I plan to, before the Jiawu War officially erupts, spend three or four Virtual Moons to train all my techniques, except Plum Blossom Step, to Great Perfection. That way I can face the challenge in the strongest state..." Feng Zhaobai: "..." Wang Hua: "..." Hearing the young man speak so casually about such outrageous things, even the two long-experienced in Jianghu couldn''t help but feel a strange sensation. Normally, bringing a single cultivation technique to Great Perfection Realm requires years, even decades of effort! How does it seem as simple as eating or drinking to him?! The key is, despite their rational sense screaming it''s ridiculous, emotionally when considering it''s him, it actually feels quite normal... Smacking his lips, Wang Hua sighed a long sigh, waving his hand: "I need a break, you two talk." Watching Wang Hua''s desolate and disappointed figure slowly disappear, Zhu Haomiao puzzledly furrowed his brow. "What''s wrong with Senior Brother Wang?" "He might be slightly overwhelmed, but it''s alright, he should be fine in a few days." "Huh?" Feng Zhaobai withdrew his sympathetic gaze, decisively steering the conversation back on track. "Since you''re confident you can perfect all your techniques, then I think you should boldly attempt your ideas. With your aptitude, Heavenly Destiny, and comprehension, even if you make a mistake, it won''t waste much time." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips enigmatically. "But the problem now is, the Contribution Points are insufficient... The tournament''s over, and I can''t participate in the revival round." "The timing for the next phase isn''t even determined..." Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Upon reaching this point, the young man had a sudden thought: "Senior Brother Feng, is there any task for me to take?" Feng Zhaobai furrowed his brows, contemplating for a long time. Glancing at the young man''s golden Dragon Emblem on his chest, he finally shook his head in resignation. "This Illusion Realm is still in the pioneering phase and there are few tasks in the archive, plus after the tournament, contenders like you who need Contribution Points have already picked the good tasks; what''s left are arduous and unrewarding small tasks, mostly at Bronze and Silver levels..." "Uh... alright, even a mosquito''s leg is meat, give me a Silver Level task!" Zhu Haomiao, slightly pained, pursed his cheeks, looking with a sorrowful gaze into the void. Once there was a lucrative tournament before me, but I didn''t cherish it... Only after losing it did I regret profoundly... Eh, wait! Wasn''t this somewhat influenced by the Pupation state? Due to being in a prolonged Sloth state, losing my sense of urgency, and naturally not thinking of playing more matches! Just thinking about eating and sleeping every day... Chapter 151 - 151: I Hope to Talk to You About Our Heavenly Father Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao furrowed his brow thoughtfully, the more he thought, the more it made sense. On the other side, without noticing the boy''s psychological activities, Feng Zhaobai pondered for a long time, and his eyes moved. "There''s a silver mission suitable for you!" "What mission?" "Do you remember the head of the Japan Intelligence Class you took down earlier?" "Hara Hao Yi?" "Yes, his successor has rebuilt the East China intelligence network, but this time they''ve learned their lesson, very low-key and cautious, we haven''t been able to track his whereabouts." "So just find him and finish him off?" S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Feng Zhaobai smirked and grinned. "That''s right, in theory, the task is very simple, but the key is how to find him from the vast sea of people!" "To be honest, three people have taken on this mission before, but they couldn''t find him and so it timed out and returned to the task pool." "Are you sure you want to take this task?" Upon hearing Feng Zhaobai''s inquiry, Zhu Haomiao recalled his "believers" spread throughout both the underworld and the law-abiding community, and decisively nodded. "Yes!" In terms of intelligence networks, I''m afraid I''m stronger than the entire [Yanhuang Armory]! After all, each of my "believers" is a talent! People from all walks of life, heroes from China and abroad, are almost everywhere in Shanghai! As long as they all move, it''s hard for anyone in the East China region to escape this huge net! ......... "Chief." "Fool! Use my alias when on a mission!!" "Yes! Mr. Zhang!" "Mr. your mother!" Ishida Youji slapped the subordinate, causing him to stagger, and glared at this rookie through gritted teeth. Realizing his mistake, the rookie didn''t care about the burning slap mark on his face, and stood upright tremblingly. "Sorry! Mr. Zhang Zeyuan!" Hearing his perfectly articulated Chinese, Ishida Youji slightly suppressed his anger, picked up the binoculars again, and looked towards the distant military port. In his view, several towering and majestic steel warships were docked at the pier, with thick gun muzzles and sharp rams resembling the claws and fangs of a beast, making one''s heart palpitate. Can the Empire''s navy really defeat such powerful battleships? Even if they are defeated, as long as the Qing Court stubbornly refuses to surrender, with Japan''s foundation, it won''t last long! The body of the Heavenly Dynasty is too vast, vast enough to despair! It''s said that the Empress Dowager''s garden money reaches tens of millions of taels of silver, even higher than the Empire''s military budget! This is a gamble of national fate, hoping that the Qing Court is really as weak as the headquarters propaganda, otherwise if they grit their teeth and hold on for a while, the Empire can''t afford it, and might even collapse first! However, if a piece of such a huge Heavenly Dynasty, even just a small bite, could be bitten off, it would save the Empire from struggling for decades! Licking his lips, Ishida Youji suppressed the greed in his heart, put down the binoculars, and looked at the rookie subordinate with bowed head and lowered eyes. "What''s the matter? Why are you urgently looking for me?" "There''s news from Shanghai, they''ve already made contact with the target, they hope you can go back to oversee the work." "Oh!" Ishida Youji''s eyes lit up, and he clenched his fist excitedly. He spent over a year to painstakingly rebuild the East China Intelligence Department''s network, and today it finally starts to pay off! "I''ll return to Shanghai immediately, Weihaiwei will be handed over to Deputy Chief Sato, make sure to find out the actual situation of the Qing Court Navy, the headquarters has already been impatient!" "Yes!" Instinctively bringing his legs together, standing upright and saluting, as he saw Ishida Youji''s murderous gaze, the foolish rookie immediately realized he made another mistake. "Uh... yes, Mr. Zhang Zeyuan." Narrowing his eyes, staring at the rookie who was sweating profusely, Ishida Youji gritted his teeth, squeezed out a few words through his teeth. "If I hear one more word of Japanese from your mouth, tie up a stone and jump into the sea yourself." "Yes... yes..." Glaring fiercely at the sweating rookie, Ishida Youji got into a black car, heading straight to the civilian pier. ......... "My lord, the fish has returned to Shanghai, and will be entertained by a fellow tonight." While appreciating a group of scantily clad ladies dancing gracefully, a faint whisper directly sounded in his mind. Zhu Haomiao slightly curled his lips, silently responding to Wilson''s prayer. "Bait the hook, in a few days I''ll personally go and collect." "As you command." After cutting off the connection, Zhu Haomiao smiled, enjoying the light music and dance of the ladies, while his consciousness had long drifted far away. Originally he planned to take down the target on the spot, but that would expose one of his dark lines, and the Japan Intelligence Class would become more cautious in the future. So, it''s better to mark the target, and after some time take him down, so that they won''t even know how they died! While Zhu Haomiao was secretly contemplating, in a luxurious courtyard in Shanghai, Ishida Youji met the big figure he had been yearning for. "Mr. Fang, I''ve longed for this meeting for so long!" "Mr. Zhang, please sit." Fang Guangzhong greeted indifferently, displaying utter arrogance. But the more he looked like this, the more enthusiastic Ishida Youji was in his heart. To open up this line, the entire intelligence department had expended countless manpower and resources! "Mr. Zhang, I wonder what important matters you have for seeking multiple meetings?" "It''s like this, I heard that you have extensive connections within the navy, I have some business that I''d like to cooperate with you on." Upon hearing this, Fang Guangzhong, who was sipping tea lightly, narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly. "Hmph! Who told you such rumors!" Ishida Youji''s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly smiled apologetically. "It was introduced by Qiu Zhan Yong, Mr. Qiu, I hope you can take good care of me, Mr. Fang." Saying so, Ishida Youji discreetly slipped a stack of silver notes into Fang Guangzhong''s hand, full of sycophantic flattery. "Oh... it''s introduced by Old Qiu, then alright..." Glancing at the value on the silver notes, Fang Guangzhong finally showed a satisfied smile and nodded. With silver notes paving the way, Fang Guangzhong finally stopped probing and began discussing some substantial content, implicitly touching on some intelligence within the navy. Upon hearing the information unintentionally revealed by the other party, Ishida Youji''s heart was filled with joy. The Qing Court Navy is slack in armament, and internal corruption is shockingly evident! Meanwhile, Fang Guangzhong glanced at Ishida Youji faintly, picked up the tea cup for a sip, while his lowered eyes concealed a dark light that others couldn''t observe. After a round of "host and guest delighted" talks, Ishida Youji happily took his leave, setting the next meeting time. Before leaving, as if he remembered something, Fang Guangzhong held Ishida Youji''s hand with a smile. "By the way, Mr. Zhang, I wonder what are your thoughts on faith?" "Ah?" Ishida Youji blinked puzzled, unable to comprehend why the other suddenly brought up such unrelated matters. Ignoring Ishida Youji''s polite yet awkward smile, Fang Guangzhong, like an enthusiastic missionary, spoke excitedly. "I wish to talk to you about our Heavenly Father, the only savior - [Primordial Sin]." Chapter 152 - 152: Feel the Benevolence of My Lord Ishida Youji: "...¡­" S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Primordial Sin??! What''s that? Doesn''t sound like a good thing¡­ With a slight frown, though already very impatient, Ishida Youji still pretended to look interested, patiently listening to Fang Guangzhong''s "preaching". Until¡­ Fang Guangzhong cautiously took out a gold coin and presented it before him. In an instant, his face''s professional fake smile gradually disappeared, and Ishida Youji stared dumbfounded at the splendid gold coin, an uncontrollable intense greed surging in his heart. "This is my Lord''s beacon." "Pray to Him, you can gain redemption, eternal life, and... everything!" "Take it, feel my Lord''s compassion¡­" Sinister whispers echoed in his ears, like the seductive murmurs of a demon. Ishida Youji slowly extended his trembling hands, clutching the [greed coin] tightly in his palm, as if he wanted to embed it into his very bones! ...... "Eh?!" Just about to lay down a long line to reel in the fish, Zhu Haomiao looked up towards the distance, covering his mouth in bewilderment. Emmmm¡­ Can he absorb the [greed coin] without my guidance? What Innate Greed Holy Body! Pursing his lips, Zhu Haomiao stood up and followed the barely traceable thread of belief towards an ordinary residence in the suburbs of Shanghai. Meanwhile, a few kilometers away, Ishida Youji was panting heavily, his whole body trembling. Just now, as he toyed with the coin, he actually resonated with it in some sort of bloodline connection! Then, the coin melted into a strange black viscous liquid, instantly seeping into his skin and merging with his flesh! Deep within his pupils, a twisted black light flickered unpredictably, and Ishida Youji''s face was contorted with veins, suffering yet experiencing an indescribable pleasurable joy! He didn''t know what had happened, but in a daze, he seemed to hear a mysterious call. Buzz~ Suddenly, he seemed to really hear a crisp swooshing sound, and looking up, a splendid gold coin was suspended above his head. The gold coin, so close, appeared to have a majestic and mysterious pyramid emanating a visibly seven-colored divine light! In the unseen, it seemed some great existence answered his prayer, sending the holy object he most desired! Reaching out trembling, Ishida Youji wanted to grasp that gold coin, but despairingly realized that no matter how he tiptoed or jumped, he could not reach that great holy object. In a flash of insight, Ishida Youji realized that it wasn''t something he could grasp by striving for it! He had to kneel, prostrate himself on the ground, and pray for the creator''s mercy to receive the "gift". But vaguely, Ishida Youji also sensed that once he knelt beneath the coin, he would lose something, something very precious! Humanity? Dignity? Health? Life? Even¡­ everything? Various thoughts flashed through his mind, but the desire churning in his heart grew more frantic under the coin''s radiance. Suffering like a drug addiction gnawed at his heart like thousands of ants, every breath accompanied by excruciating agony penetrating deep into his bones, instinct at the genetic level urged him to abandon everything for that coin! Even if in the next second after obtaining it, he would die! Because that was the meaning of his existence! Huff~ Huff~ Huff~ Amidst harsh breathing, the black light in Ishida Youji''s eyes twisted and flickered, cold sweat streaming down, his fist clenched white, his straight back gradually stooping, and his knees slowly bending. Finally, the moment his knees touched the ground, the coin suspended above his head gently fell into his palm, melting into a viscous liquid like crude oil, seeping bit by bit into his skin and turning into a little black snake that burrowed towards his heart along his blood vessels. But paying no attention to this eerie anomaly, the twisting agony of his spirit and body instantly dissipated, replaced by unparalleled joy and happiness! Ishida Youji rolled his eyes, like a high addict, showing a ferocious and twisted eerie smile. And half a meter in front of him, Zhu Haomiao looked down at him with his impressive performance, pressing his lips in an indescribable manner. It''s getting more eerie¡­ How am I supposed to explain that I''m actually a good person?! Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao thought for a long time and finally painfully realized¡­ It seems hard to explain! This crazy little expression indeed challenges the aesthetic baseline of humans¡­ Seeing Ishida Youji''s grotesquely contorted smile, and the rippling blue veins twitching across his face like little snakes, Zhu Haomiao gave up on struggling, sighing long and heavily. "Ah¡­ misunderstood is misunderstood, though my methods are eerie, I know I''m a good boy!" Having reaffirmed his [Dao Heart], Zhu Haomiao quietly waited for Ishida Youji to return to calm. A few minutes later, the grotesque anomaly on Ishida Youji''s face gradually faded, and he regained a composed demeanor. He enthusiastically gazed at the abruptly appearing dark-robed youth in front of him, the black light in his pupils flickering and pulsing like a fiery tongue, seemingly reflecting a twisted, burning dark sun! "Get up, tomorrow accompany me to meet someone." "Yes! My lord!" ...... Xinghua House In the private room, Zhu Haomiao ate elegantly at a leisurely pace, occasionally using a handkerchief to wipe the oil off Diao Chan who was eating messily. "Slow down! No one''s competing with you!" "Squeak~" Fortunately, this guy''s fur seems to have an extraordinary attribute, no matter what dirt won''t stick, a gentle shake and it naturally falls off, always remaining a clean, soft, and fragrant appearance. Otherwise, bathing it every day would be a hassle¡­ Just as the youth was absent-mindedly stroking the marten, a handsome and sturdy figure entered the private room, looked around, and directly sat next to him. "Is this your pet?" Seeing the eye-catching cute creature sitting on the table gnawing on a bone, even Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but feel affection, wanting to reach out and touch it. But seeing a big hand approaching, Diao Chan''s ears perked up, vigilantly moving the bone to the other side, protecting it behind. "Squeak!" "...¡­" Grinning with resignation, Feng Zhaobai gave up the idea of petting it. "The little thing is quite protective of its food." On the other side, Zhu Haomiao irritably rubbed the marten''s head and shoved this embarrassing creature aside. Who''s going to snatch that one tasteless bone of yours!! "By the way, Junior Brother Zhu, why did you call me out so mysteriously, what is it about?" After a brief chat, Feng Zhaobai got straight to the point. "Mainly I want you to meet someone, I don''t know how to handle it, just killing feels like a waste." Under Feng Zhaobai''s curious gaze, Zhu Haomiao had a thought, and Ishida Youji, who had remained concealed next door, opened the door, respectfully stepping into the private room, bowing to the two seated there. Chapter 153 - 153: Manipulating Peoples Hearts Looking at the ordinary man whose appearance was so unremarkable that he would be lost in a crowd instantly, Feng Zhaobai examined him up and down with curiosity. "Who is this?" "Ishida Youji, the head of the Japan Intelligence Class for the East China region." Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai''s breath hitched, and he stiffly and slowly turned his head, staring incredulously at Zhu Haomiao. "You... turned him?" "Sort of." "Mind control? That can be exposed easily, not of much value." "Uh... it''s not mind control. It shouldn''t be exposed, and his mind isn''t compromised. He might even become more powerful and alert." After all, last time in front of Gabriel, Wilson didn''t show any abnormality, presumably others wouldn''t notice anything either. Upon hearing this, Feng Zhaobai took a deep breath, looking deeply at Zhu Haomiao with a complex expression, as if meeting him for the first time. "Senior Brother Feng, what''s wrong?" "I never thought, as a martial artist, you could come up with such a trick..." I originally thought I only needed to worry about you running amok, but you also engage in manipulating people''s hearts?!! How do I guard against this?! Inexplicably, Zhu Haomiao saw a trace of fatigue in Feng Zhaobai''s eyes. "Uh... Senior Brother Feng, is it that difficult?" Listening to the youth''s Versailles-like statement, Feng Zhaobai, who was long used to it, looked at Ishida Youji standing respectfully, and explained softly. "Mental control is an extremely profound and dangerous field, very difficult to hide, let alone like you did, it''s practically..." Looking up and down at Ishida Youji, seeing his calm expression and clear eyes, sensing his normal mental state, Feng Zhaobai sighed with emotion. "It''s practically like faith in a God soaking!" Hearing Feng Zhaobai''s meaningful sigh, Zhu Haomiao touched his nose, pretending to look at the scenery. On the other side, not noticing the youth''s subtle emotions, after sighing, Feng Zhaobai''s expression turned serious, looking gravely at Zhu Haomiao, tightly grasping his hand. "Junior Brother Zhu, your deep-level spirit twisting ability is very dangerous, you must use it cautiously!" Seeing Feng Zhaobai''s solemn and heavy pupils, knowing what he was worried about, Zhu Haomiao chuckled and shook his head. "Senior Brother Feng, don''t worry, this ability is ineffective against descenders." At least for now it is... Zhu Haomiao lowered his gaze, silently adding a note in his heart. But he actually had a premonition that as the Original Sin Level of Greed in reality increased, if the target did not have a corresponding strong Dao Heart, he could manipulate and twist people''s minds just like in the Illusion Realm! The most terrifying part is that if it''s not actively exposed, it''s almost impossible to detect! Because it''s from the most instinctive, the most primal desire of human beings! However, upon hearing Zhu Haomiao''s explanation, Feng Zhaobai''s tense nerves relaxed instantly, slowly letting go of his tightly clenched hands, and heaved a long sigh of relief. If it only affected the native of the Illusion Realm, the danger would be entirely controllable... Indeed, the physical laws in reality are strict, the Dao Heart of the Transcendent is resilient, even a true Human God can at most eliminate them physically, it''s difficult to make them spiritually surrender, let alone a mere First Layer Heaven rookie... I''m being overly cautious, Junior Brother Zhu, no matter how powerful or fast-growing he is, he is only a newbie who just entered the First Layer Heaven! At the Initial Heavenly Position, the extent of Extraordinary Power permeating reality is almost negligible, maybe he can''t even handle a chicken physically in reality... Whew~ Seeing Feng Zhaobai''s expression of relief, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably sensed something off. "Senior Brother Feng, are you thinking of something inappropriate?" "No, I''m thinking about how to arrange things for him..." Feng Zhaobai shook his head without any change of expression, looking at Ishida Youji by his side. With his interruption, Zhu Haomiao also remembered the important matter and whispered. "Although the mission stated to kill, I think keeping him is more useful, what do you think?" "Of course, killing is easy, but to convert someone who is the head of an intelligence system, that''s nearly impossible!" "We never expected an ordinary Transcendent to accomplish such a complex task, so we simply and crudely set up an assassination mission." Saying this, Feng Zhaobai glanced at Ishida Youji, excitingly patting the youth''s shoulder. "But now it''s different, through him, we could not only transmit false intelligence, grasp the opponent''s spy network, trace and uproot countless moles, but even reverse infiltrate the Japan Intelligence Class..." "Junior Brother Zhu, this has already far exceeded the value of a Silver Level mission, I will use my authority as the highest official of the Yanhuang Armory in this plane to exceptionally elevate your mission to Golden Five-star." Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up, surprised by this good fortune. Golden Five-star, that''s 500 contribution points! Along with the remaining dozens of contributions before, it''s enough to redeem two complete Basic Forces! "It was right for you to call me out alone for this, the fewer people know about this the better, I will arrange someone to contact him on a single line to ensure his safety as much as possible..." On the other side, Feng Zhaobai pondered for a few seconds, continuing to speak solemnly. "If possible, we can even provide him with some valuable information, helping him rise to a higher position!" "By then, maybe the entire Japan will be transparent to us unidirectionally..." Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s murmurs, Zhu Haomiao whispered instructions to Ishida Youji. "Make sure to cooperate well with Senior Brother Feng''s work." "Yes, sir!" S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Seeing Ishida Youji nodding calmly, without the slightest guilt of betraying his country, Feng Zhaobai was secretly astonished. Inexplicably, he thought of a bald man named Yuri. Fortunately, this power can only affect the native people, if it worked the same way in reality, that would be a disaster! "Senior Brother Feng, I''m preparing to exchange for two Basic Forces, do you have any recommendations?" Hearing Zhu Haomiao''s inquiry, Feng Zhaobai suppressed his strange emotions to the bottom of his heart and replied seriously. "If you''re going to the battlefield, I suggest you prioritize cultivating Armor Breaking Power and Heavenly Gang Power." "But Armor Breaking Power is generally used in conjunction with weapons, by the way, I happen to have a treasure sword in my collection, although it''s not a True Object, it can be considered a Divine weapon in this plane, I''ll give it to you." "Ah? Isn''t that inappropriate?" "Don''t be polite, it''s impossible for you to go to the battlefield barehanded, right? I still have some work in Shanghai that needs handling, I can''t leave without permission for a short time." "Using my sword is equivalent to me contributing to this war..." Looking at Ishida Youji beside him, Feng Zhaobai smiled meaningfully. "Besides, with this great gift you gave me, my work will be much easier in the future." ................. Chapter 154 - 154: [Armor Breaking Power] and [Heavenly Gang Power] Hoo~ In the deep and dark underground "sleeping tomb," Zhu Haomiao sat cross-legged in meditation, his long and even breaths rhythmically and gently echoing, forming a faint whirlpool in the enclosed space. One by one, the golden [greed coins] materialized from the void and fell, merging into the boy''s body like phantoms, triggering ripples of principle waves. After a long time, the boy suddenly opened his eyes, exhaling a clearly visible sword-shaped Qi force from his mouth and nose, which slowly dissipated after reaching the wall several meters away. [Armor Breaking Power]: LV.0¡úLV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [God] +3 [Qi] +2 [Essence] +1 [Heavenly Gang Power]: LV.0¡úLV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Essence] +3 [Qi] +2 S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [God] +1 A vast torrent of virtual memory flooded into his mind, as he carefully contemplated the profound laws of the two basic forces, Zhu Haomiao squinted with a sense of realization. Armor Breaking... He raised a finger, channeling his inner breath into the fingertip, and at the tip of his nail, a chilling light condensed. With a sword-like maneuver of his finger, Zhu Haomiao gently scraped the ground, and the hard marble floor split open under his fingertip like soft soil, leaving a long, narrow cut. Seeing such a terrifying armor-breaking ability, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but take a sharp breath. It''s no wonder this [Armor Breaking Power], when trained to a high realm, is said to be able to flatten mountains with a single strike. Who could withstand that? After the initial shock, curiosity surged in the boy''s heart. He channeled his inner breath into his other hand, and a faint metallic sheen appeared on his skin. [Hard Qi Skill]! Screech~~ The sound of a sharp, grating friction was heard as the nail scraped the skin, like a metal file cutting through a steel plate. But in the end, the Great Success realm of [Hard Qi Skill], combined with 44 points of [Body] attribute, raised Zhu Haomiao''s defense to a non-human level, enduring the cutting of Mastery realm [Armor Breaking Power], leaving only a deep white mark on the skin''s surface. As expected... The [Spear] and [Shield] enhance each other in a spiral manner, and whoever''s realm is higher gains the upper hand! Looking at the white mark on his hand, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully. Then, he stirred his inner breath, activating a new cultivation technique. "Force travels through the body, unifying inside and out." "Conceal the blade, ascend from Extraordinary to Saint." ... Silently reciting the magic formulas, Zhu Haomiao slowly and deeply inhaled, and as his inner breath surged from all major apertures, a thin, invisible barrier gradually formed on the body surface. [Heavenly Gang Power]! His eyes suddenly glowed with divine light, Zhu Haomiao channeled his fingers like a sword, and the cold, shimmering fingers pierced towards his own chest like a dagger. Clang~ At a distance of a few centimeters, the fingertip touched the invisible barrier, bursting into a warm spray of sparks. Like wearing an invisible armor, the sharp nail hovered a few centimeters from the body surface, unable to penetrate. Hoo~ Zhu Haomiao took another breath, raised his fingers, increased the force, and severely jabbed again. Ping! In the crisp sound of breaking glass, the thin-as-cicada-wing barrier was pierced through, and the fingertip jabbed against the chest, causing Zhu Haomiao''s brow to twitch in pain. Tss~ Grimacing and rubbing his chest, the boy helplessly pursed his lips. Although he was unharmed under the dual protection of [Heavenly Gang Power] and [Hard Qi Skill], the pain was still unavoidable... After briefly enduring the pain, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but raise a smile. [Heavenly Gang Power] combines offense and defense, allowing him to completely catch a blade barehanded in the future, becoming a humanoid mech... Thinking of this, the boy suddenly remembered the treasure sword sent by Senior Brother Feng Zhaobai and glanced at the ancient and black sword box beside him. Opening the sword box carved with dragon patterns, there lay a majestic Eight-sided Han Sword upon bright yellow silk. The sword blade exceeded 1 meter in length, the hilt about 20 centimeters long, and the blade about two and a half fingers wide, presenting a cyan-black color, elegant and slender, more like an artifact than a conventional two-handed war sword. Although the scabbard and hilt bore no intricate patterns, when Zhu Haomiao drew the sword, a ripple of mesmerizing cold light instantly illuminated the entire room like a dream. Truly worthy of Senior Brother Feng''s collection, it''s extremely handsome. He twirled the sword casually into a sword flower, and even without formal swordsmanship training, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but feel a fondness for it. Perhaps deep within every Chinese''s instincts lies a unique affection for swords... It is not only a weapon but also a ritual tool, a symbol of authority and martial virtue! Damn it! If I had such a divine artifact in my childhood, all flowers within ten miles would bow their heads!! After playing with it for a while, Zhu Haomiao held the longsword flat and tentatively grasped it with his other hand. His fair palm gripped the blade, yet the boy clearly sensed that his skin didn''t truly touch the blade, as if separated by an invisible layer of Gang Qi. The hand holding the blade gradually applied more force, sliding downwards along the edge, and the raw cutting sensation told Zhu Haomiao that his [Heavenly Gang Power] was being slowly breached! Indeed, these divine weapons inherently carry extraordinary power; their cutting ability clearly surpasses the limit of mortal iron! With a sudden thought, Zhu Haomiao released the sword, infused inner breath into the sword body, and the already cold and sharp blade instantly became even more captivating, as if just looking at it would cause its edge to cut through the skin! Swoosh~ With a casual swing of the sword, the thumb-thick bronze clothes rack fell with a sound, its cross-section smooth as a mirror, Zhu Haomiao barely felt any resistance! LV.3 level [Armor Breaking Power] combined with the divine weapon already produces this effect; if trained to the Perfect Realm, wouldn''t it slay enemies with a single sword strike?! Looking at the treasure sword emitting a faint cold light in his hand, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but fantasize about himself reigning supreme on the battlefield. But soon, he snapped back to reality, looking at his various cultivation techniques. The path must be walked step by step, and food must be eaten one bite at a time. Following the plan, start by completing the inner and outer skills and laying a solid foundation! Then gradually enhance each basic force! With a clear plan in mind, Zhu Haomiao sheathed the sword, relaxed his inner breath, and the deep and bright eyes gradually dimmed. [Sloth]! Responding to his will, grayish-white threads undetectable by others emerged from the void, gradually enveloping and wrapping him, forming a cocoon room. The double-layered [Insect pupae] enclosed the vast attributes, settling together with the golden stream formed by the two cultivation techniques into the depths of the spirit and body, beginning a silent metamorphosis and breakthrough. Awkwardly moving his limbs, it took him several seconds to adjust to the sudden weakness of his body and mind. Zhu Haomiao set the treasure sword aside and quietly lay down on the bed. The breakthrough to the Great Perfection Realm will probably take forty to fifty days, and then it will be [Storage Explosion Force] and [Gale Force]... After that will be [Armor Breaking Power] and [Heavenly Gang Power]... As for [Plum Blossom Step], he will attend to it when he has time... Reviewing his future plans in his mind, a faint fatigue and drowsiness rose to his head, and the boy slowly closed his eyes, his consciousness gradually sinking into chaos. ......... Chapter 155 - 155: You Rise by This, You Shall Fall by This! Time passed like a fleeting white colt through a tiny crevice. Nearly two months of seclusion went by in a flash. On the day Zhu Haomiao opened his eyes, a vast torrent of memories surged into his soul like a tide, causing the corners of his mouth to involuntarily curl up. I''ve made it! While comprehending the profound power that penetrated his soul, the young man stood up from the bed and stretched lazily. "Hmm~" With the crisp sound of joints cracking, Zhu Haomiao comfortably exhaled a breath of foul air and looked at the Book of Black. [Big Toad Qi]: LV.5¡úLV.6 (Perfect) [Qi] +6 [God] +4 [Dexterity] +3 [Virtual Life] +50 [Hard Qi Skill]: LV.5¡úLV.6 (Perfect) [Body] +7 [Strength] +3 [Essence] +3 [Virtual Life] +50 Two dazzling golden runes flickered like breathing on the Illusionary Page, with a faint seven-colored divine light seeping through the page, reflecting the same profound runes on the Reality Page at the back. This is a symbol of the seeds of supernatural power permeating reality! Virtual Life: 89¡ú189 Noticing the significant change in Virtual Life, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes suddenly brightened, and he instinctively looked at the True Page. But to his disappointment, the Lifespan in reality had not changed, still at 89 years. Hmm... it feels a bit like chicken ribs... It''s unlikely that I''ll stay on the First Layer Heaven for 189 years... After 189 years, even in reality, I''d be over 30! Such a long Virtual Life might have some appeal for tourists, but for me... I can''t use it all up, not at all! At most, after finishing the competition, I''ll have to start preparing for the Ascension to the Second Layer Heaven... Propping his chin, Zhu Haomiao''s thoughts flowed, and he sighed in a rather Versailles way. Then he realized that he had neglected the issue of the passage of life in the Illusion Realm, and the young man walked to a large full-body mirror to carefully examine his changes. Compared to when he first entered the Illusion Realm, now he had shed his youthful naivety with a vibrant youthful vigor, matching perfectly with the passage of over two years in the Illusion Realm. Is this the process of birth, aging, sickness, and death in the Illusion Realm? Touching his face, Zhu Haomiao looked at the young man in the mirror and pursed his lips thoughtfully. This phenomenon is like the reincarnation of Outer Heaven Demons in fantasy novels! It''s just that some descenders are "Mixed Fish Sky Demons," like those tourists who can only bully native mortals. While some descenders are real "Demon Gods," as they grow, the entire Illusion Realm will be affected, possibly even bringing about world-ending calamities! For example... myself! Rubbing his cheek, Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes and suddenly realized a certain detail. Wait a minute! Virtual Life seems like chicken ribs, but that''s because I used shortcuts and saved a lot of hard cultivation time! According to the virtual memories, each cultivation technique would take decades, so less than two hundred years of Virtual Life is far from enough! Even with God''s Destiny, if one can''t accumulate breakthroughs before Virtual Life runs out, they would be forced to Ascend at a lower energy level or reincarnate in another Illusion Realm to cultivate again, thereby delaying Ascension! And by the time of High Sky Rank, if one wants to ascend to the nine-layered heaven, Virtual Life is an extremely important resource! In the First Layer Heaven with a tenfold time flow, it''s not evident, but in High Sky Rank, where the time flow is hundreds, even thousands of times faster, decades of Virtual Life is equivalent to merely dozens of days in reality. Even if there is no danger, "dying of old age" every few dozen days, who could handle that? It should be known that "dying of old age" in the Illusion Realm is also a form of death! If one "dies of old age" too often in the Illusion Realm, it would also affect the Life Span in reality! In a daze, Zhu Haomiao gained a deeper understanding of Senior Sister Ye Wan Ning''s previous warnings. He also understood why the country was resolute in not relaxing the thresholds for entering the Illusion Realm. Death in the Illusion Realm is not as harmless as it appears. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. From visible energy level drops to invisible damage to the Dao Heart, Fate Grid impairments, and lifespan reduction... Perhaps just one accidental death could put a Divine Son destined to ascend to High Sky into a vicious cycle of spiraling downwards... Ultimately falling into the mud, reduced to a tourist-like ant scrambling at the bottom! If ordinary people want to enter the Illusion Realm, they ought to have sufficient mental and physical preparation, solid extraordinary knowledge, and undergo rigorous training... Otherwise, out of ten, nine will fall into the vicious cycle of death spirals, ultimately ending up as fate-level ants! By then, not only would they gain little extraordinary power, but they would significantly damage their Life Span in reality! Suddenly, Zhu Haomiao shuddered all over, as a conspiracy theory flashed across his mind. Could part of the reason Western countries are so vigorously promoting "Illusion Realm freedom" be because of this?! If you die a lot in the Illusion Realm, you won''t even live to retirement age! Crucially, one wouldn''t realize the subtle changes when young, and by the time you regret it, it''s too late... Though a ridiculous thought, the more Zhu Haomiao pondered it, the colder he felt. No... my brother... Who is the original sin here?!! As he seriously thought and carefully analyzed, Zhu Haomiao''s scalp tingled more and more because this wasn''t just baseless malicious speculation but was an experienced lesson from past and present lives! They really would do such a thing! Thinking of this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but exhale a long breath, sighing while shaking his head. I often seem out of place because I am not wicked enough! No! The next time I return to reality to rest, I must tattoo an eagle on my back! What''s the original sin?! From now on, you can just call me Little Zhuzhu... As whimsical thoughts echoed in his mind, Zhu Haomiao shook his head with emotion, comparing what he had seen and heard in the Illusion Realm, and a bizarre sense of black humor absurdity welled up inexplicably. The Angsa people are getting further along on the path of questioning Da Qing, understanding Da Qing, and becoming Da Qing... This is a boomerang that has flown for over a hundred years... In the darkness, Zhu Haomiao seemed to hear the dying words of the Yehe Nala clan... You flourish with this means, and with this means, you shall perish! Chapter 156 - 156: My Whole Life, Like Walking on Thin Ice... After a sigh, Zhu Haomiao shook his head, casting off distracting thoughts, and moved his gaze to his six-dimensional attributes. [God]: 37¡ú47 [Dexterity]: 37¡ú42 [Strength]: 44¡ú53 [Essence]: 39¡ú46 [Qi]: 43¡ú53 (6)¡ü [Body]: 44¡ú54 (2)¡ü Except for [Qi] and [Body], all other attributes have been fully absorbed. Clenching his fists, Zhu Haomiao slightly boosted his Qi, and the inner breath in his meridians roared like rushing rivers, causing his whole body to swell with a need to release pent-up energy. [Big Toad Qi]! Goo~ An invisible blur shadow shrouded Zhu Haomiao, resembling a toad inflating its chest and belly, as if echoing the deep, distant croak of a toad in the underground space. Glu~ Glu~ With slow and prolonged deep breaths, the young man operated a cycle of breath, the toad croak in his ears grew louder, eventually drawing his gaze to his own chest and belly. The rhythmic movement of his chest and abdominal cavity echoed the sound of thunderous croaks coming from his five viscera and six bowels. It was the high-speed flow of inner breath in the meridians, cleansing the organs of toxins, creating unusual sounds as the organs churned... The Perfect Realm of [Big Toad Qi] seems to have strengthened all the organs, enhancing the operational efficiency several times over, no wonder it can add 50 years of virtual life! Moreover, this cultivation technique''s extraordinary power can also be cultivated in reality, although it might not achieve the effects in the Illusion Realm, but extending life should still be possible... Truly worthy of the [Worldly Strict Selection]! Carefully perceiving the changes within his body, Zhu Haomiao turned his gaze to his hands. Bang! With fists clenched and Qi coursing through his whole body, an almost imperceptible metallic sheen appeared on his skin, muscles rolling and twisting like steel wires. [Hard Qi Skill]! Thud, thud, thud~ Pounding his chest with his fists, the feedback felt as if hitting a solid iron block, and for a moment, Zhu Haomiao felt an indestructible illusion! The Perfect Realm of [Hard Qi Skill] had once again drastically increased his defense, forming a seamless whole without any weak spots; combined with 54 points in [Body] attribute, typical small caliber bullets could definitely not pierce through, but he wasn''t sure if it could resist an armor-piercing bullet''s attack? Yet, at the same time, there was a growing sense of pressure that was once vaguely present. The youth felt something, lifted his head, looking up into the void, his vision piercing through the temporal barriers, glimpsing some kind of suppression at the brink of the threshold. This world''s suppressive power against him had grown stronger! It seemed... he had touched the threshold of dominance... With a feeling at heart, Zhu Haomiao dispersed his power, and smiled contentedly. In just under three virtual years, reaching the Golden Peak was much faster than he had anticipated. He originally thought he would have to wait until the later stages of the Ascension Competition to catch up with the majority, never expecting things to be so simple and smooth... Pensively shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao strolled out of the "sleeping tomb," preparing to visit the [Yanhuang Armory] to unwind. After nearly two months of secluded cultivation with disregard for the outside world, he wondered if Senior Brother Wang and Senior Brother Feng had been doing their jobs properly... Opening the heavy bronze gate, Zhu Haomiao suddenly recalled something, turning back towards the desk. At the end of his gaze, a slender, entirely black treasure sword lay quietly. Hesitating for several seconds, Zhu Haomiao turned back into the room, tying the black sword to his waist, nodding with satisfaction. Great, matches my temperament well, adds 10 points to handsome level... Equipped with the treasure sword, the young man left the secluded safe house directly, heading straight for the Magic City Public Lease. After dozens of minutes, passing through a water film-like barrier, the cold and empty hall of the [Yanhuang Armory] appeared before his eyes. Scanning around with amazement, Zhu Haomiao frowned slightly, feeling that something might have happened... He smoothly and unhindered made his way to the top-floor office, where the secretary led him to see the busy Feng Zhaobai at work. "Senior Brother Feng, why is there no one downstairs?" Seeing Zhu Haomiao, Feng Zhaobai sighed with relief, put down the documents in his hand, and smiled. "The revival round is over, so naturally, the contenders have dispersed." "Ah? It''s over? Has the next stage of the competition started?" "..." After several seconds of silence, Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but laugh and cry. "Have you not read the messages from the organizing committee?" "Uh... I''ve been focused on secluded cultivation lately..." "Oh? How did it go?" "Not bad, [Big Toad Qi] and [Hard Qi Skill] have both reached the Perfect Realm." Hearing the youth speak as if recounting how many buns he had for lunch, even though he was mentally prepared, Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but give him a deep look. Your every step is an assault on the sanity of a normal Transcendent... Fortunately, Wang Hua was on a business trip and not home. And I, with a strong Dao Heart! You won''t scare me! Feng Zhaobai nodded calmly, displaying a composed smile that said, ''the young are teachable.'' "Well done." "Right, Senior Brother Feng, I think I''ve even brushed against the threshold of dominance!" However, upon hearing Zhu Haomiao''s next words, the calm smile on Feng Zhaobai''s face instantly froze. "What the heck?!" "Dominance, I''ve felt the bottleneck of dominance!" "..." Feng Zhaobai rested both elbows on the desk, interlocked fingers supporting his mouth and nose, plunged into deep silence. Only after a long while did he finally speak in a dry voice. "Junior Brother Zhu, when did you ascend to gold?" "Uh... several months, maybe a year ago, not sure." "..." After another long silence, Feng Zhaobai leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling. In my life, I have been diligent, cautious, as if walking on thin ice... Yet this brat is about to catch up to me in three years?! Considering real-time, he''s only been cultivating for three months!! No...why??!! "Senior Brother Feng, is there a problem?" Seeing Feng Zhaobai''s expression, Zhu Haomiao thought he had grown too quickly, destabilizing his foundation, and causing hidden dangers, immediately getting nervous. Forcing a smile, Feng Zhaobai revealed a bitter grin. "Nothing wrong, just suddenly feeling a bit heart-weary..." "Oh, Senior Brother Feng, you''ve indeed worked hard. Every time I visit, you''re working." Zhu Haomiao breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement, kindly advising. "You should still rest well, the textbook recommends Initial Heavenly Position [one rest for one work], don''t overwork." S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "..." After a moment of silence, Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but ask. "Have you always been ''one rest for one work''?" "Yeah, isn''t it written in the textbook?" Painfully rubbing his brow, Feng Zhaobai immediately felt like he''d lived in vain all his life. Originally thought you had gotten ahead by ''007 overtime'', I didn''t expect you to work nine to five with weekends off?!!! Chapter 157 - 157: Faction Confrontation In a daze, Feng Zhaobai looked at Zhu Haomiao with a complicated gaze, vaguely understanding Wang Hua''s feelings. You truly deserve to die!!!!!! Both have the "God''s Destiny", why are you so outstanding?!! But as a mature hegemony-level transcendent, Feng Zhaobai''s Dao Heart was resilient, and after a brief emotional imbalance, he quickly readjusted and regained his composure. "Enough of this, since you''re here, there''s something I need to tell you." Seeing Feng Zhaobai''s serious expression, Zhu Haomiao slightly perked up. "What is it?" "The third phase of the Ascension Competition has begun. It''s a factional confrontation, using the Jiawu War as a backdrop, and it''s set on the Peninsula!" "What?!!" A slight jump in his heart, the young man instinctively asked in return. "Can it be played like this?" Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Feng Zhaobai gave him a strange look. "They often used to do things like this, the North and South War of the Ugly Country, the Crusades, the Anglo-French Hundred Years'' War, the Thirty Years War in Europe, the Han and Xiongnu War..." "Every time there''s a similar illusion realm competition, they enjoy organizing factional confrontations, calling it epic, but it''s really because reality audiences can relate to it, leading to high ratings and even gambling." "...¡­" Seeing the young man''s indescribable expression, Feng Zhaobai chuckled and raised the corners of his mouth. "A bit disillusioned?" "Uh... I originally thought the Ascension Competition was grand, but didn''t expect..." "Didn''t expect it to be filled with stench of money?" "Yes." "Haha, the world isn''t that idealistic, everything has to bow to practical benefits." "The Olympic Committee was like this, FIFA was like this, and now the Ascension Competition Organizing Committee is the same..." Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s quiet whispers, Zhu Haomiao was full of emotion. So real! Transcendents at the Initial Heavenly Position are far from detachment. Perhaps only at the Middle Heavenly Position, or even the High Sky Rank, can one truly escape the cause and effect of reality, and look at living beings with a transcendent stance! Seeing Zhu Haomiao in deep and contemplative thought, Feng Zhaobai smiled slightly and shifted the topic. "However, this time the competition is somewhat special and also includes considerations of other factors..." "Other considerations?" "Yes, a certain superpower is not reconciled to that war decades ago and wants to regain face, but it doesn''t dare to flip the table in reality, so it can only push for a ''bloodless'' war in the illusion realm." With a sharp gaze, Zhu Haomiao suddenly understood, then frowned. "We didn''t oppose it?" With a meaningful smile, Feng Zhaobai shook his head. "On the contrary, it suits our purpose..." "We also need an opportunity, an opportunity to shake the old king''s authority!" Speaking of this, Feng Zhaobai suddenly remembered something, smiled wryly and pouted. "The strongest reaction came from South Korea. The Peninsula was a chessboard decades ago, and it''s still a chessboard decades later. So many years of strong foreign publicity instantly became a joke." "Their self-esteem was already somewhat pathological, and now it''s completely broken down, resulting in many hysterical and confusing actions... like clamoring for the Ugly Country''s commander to kneel and apologize..." "In contrast, the little idiot is much more sensible, knowing not to meddle in the fights of gods, and just complaining in a yin-yang way at most." "However, when two powerful countries want a fight, no one really cares about the opinions of the two colonies." "Weak countries have no diplomacy~" Seeing Feng Zhaobai''s lamentation, Zhu Haomiao clicked his tongue, feeling for the first time the extension of real-world geopolitical conflicts into the illusion realm! With that said, after Feng Zhaobai sighed, he patted the boy''s shoulder, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Go, the battlefield is where you can truly show your skills." Stop messing around at home! Silently complaining, Feng Zhaobai inexplicably felt a sense of relief, as if a heavy burden had been lifted. Finally sending this trouble abroad... On the other side, Zhu Haomiao also felt a tinge of excitement and anticipation growing within him, nodding vigorously. Then, after discussing some details with Feng Zhaobai, Zhu Haomiao decisively bid farewell and headed straight to the docks. "Wilson, is the cruise ready?" "Both the people and the ship are ready, awaiting your presence." "Very good!" Cutting off the mental link, Zhu Haomiao followed Wilson''s guidance to a dock specifically used by Brittania, where from a distance he saw a massive, luxurious cruise ship resembling a small mountain floating on the sea. "My lord." Wilson, in a tidy suit, approached like a competent butler, respectfully guiding the young man up the red carpet. "It''s a bit too ostentatious. Simplify everything in the future." Noticing some curious gazes on the dock, Zhu Haomiao pulled up his hood to cover his face and strode onto the cruise. "As you command." Wilson followed closely behind the young man, explaining softly about the ship under his feet. "According to your previous instructions, we prepared this high-speed cruise. It will only take two or three days to travel from Shanghai to the Korea Peninsula." "Additionally, the chef team on board was hired at a high price and consists of Royal Chefs. The entire cruise has over a hundred service staff, ready to meet your every need." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao gave him a complex look. Every need? You seem to imply something! Could it be that you brought the top girl from a brothel on board too? I just casually mentioned some logistical requirements, didn''t expect you to go all out like this... Such a large cruise for just me... So decadent! With a sigh of wonder, Zhu Haomiao touched his empty stomach, smacking his lips. "I haven''t eaten since I woke up." "I''ll arrange for the kitchen to prepare a meal immediately." Woo~~~~~ As the young man entered the dining hall of the ship for a meal, a deep siren echoed to the skies, and the several-thousand-ton cruise slowly left the port of Shanghai, heading north. A few hours later, full and satisfied, Zhu Haomiao lay on a luxuriously grand bed, unbuckling his sword from his waist and tossing it aside. Smacking his lips and savoring the taste of the feast, the young man nodded slightly. Not inferior to the chef team of Xinghua House, only the flavors of the specialized cuisines are somewhat different, nutritionally for a transcendent, it''s basically at the same realm. Touching the four-dimensional stomach that had been refilled, Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes, contemplating whether to continue pupating for a breakthrough. The closer the great war approached, the more he wanted to push all cultivation techniques to their limits. But clearly, there''s not enough time, so he can only choose the most important breakthroughs, then assess the intensity of the war, and decide... It''s said that these factional matches often run for several virtual years, and it''s not possible to not pupate all the time in such a long war. After thinking for a moment, Zhu Haomiao decided to stick to the original plan, not busying himself when he reached the frontlines, first analyzing the war situation. With a thought, gray-white threads snaked out of the void, wrapping and entwining the boy on an invisible level. Chapter 158 - 158: Bullying Too Much At the same time, two golden phantoms from the Book of Black, accompanied by a massive energy, were sealed deep within the spirit and body. Zhu Haomiao''s bright and deep eyes gradually dimmed, a heavy fatigue and sloth surged into his mind. [Sloth]... Activate! However, just one day after the young man peacefully closed his eyes for deep sleep, the cruise sailing on the Yellow Sea encountered an obstacle. "Mr. Wilson, they are asking us to stop the ship for inspection." In the cockpit, the captain put down his binoculars and looked at Wilson standing tall beside him, respectfully inquiring. "How should we respond to them?" Upon hearing this, Wilson squinted, his gaze crossing the vast distance, staring at the waving sun flag, a twisted black light flashed and disappeared deep in his eyes. "Signal with flags, tell them to get lost!" "And the approaching patrol boat from the other side..." "Ram into it!" "..." After just a second of hesitation, the British captain who was accustomed to running rampant at sea fearlessly executed the order, the large cruise ship resembling a moving mountain, mercilessly crushed the patrol boat. "Ahhh!!!" The shrill screams came to an abrupt halt as the waves raised by the cruise ship instantly overturned the small boat, heading straight toward the cruiser in front. On the other side, watching the massive ship several times larger than itself coming head-on, the captain of the Kaoxiong cruiser turned pale, slamming his fist hard on the control panel. "Damn British beasts are really too much!!" The first officer beside him wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, put down his binoculars, and nervously inquired. "Captain, they are asking us to yield the passage, what should we do?" Basking in the gaze of everyone in the cockpit, the captain gritted his teeth staring at the enormous ship, trembling all over. But after a battle between heaven and man, he slumped his shoulders in defeat, sighing heavily as if his spirit had been drained. "Turn aside, yield the passage." Hoo~ A palpable sigh of relief spread through the tense cockpit, the Union Flag flying on the enemy''s mast felt like a towering mountain, pressing down on everyone, rendering them breathless. Such a luxurious cruise ship was evidently the vehicle of a grand figure, no one wanted to challenge the prestige of The Sun Never Sets Empire in this era. Swish~ The sea waves slapped against the ship''s side, and the retreating Kaoxiong could only watch as the arrogant cruise ship faded into the horizon. "Captain..." "What is it?" "The sailors on that patrol boat... weren''t rescued." "..." Captain of the Kaoxiong clenched his fists till they turned bone white, his fingernails deeply embedded in his flesh, and after a long while, he let out a mournful growl of impotent rage. "How dare they!!!" ........... Unbeknownst to the minor incident on the way, on the morning of the third day, Zhu Haomiao, who was bleary-eyed, sat in the dining room, nibbling elegantly. "You awakened me... is it almost time?" "Yes, my master, we have already sailed into the Datong River, and we will reach the Pyongyang dock in a few more hours." In a suit and gloves like a competent butler, Wilson attended to the young man''s meal respectfully. "Oh." With a slight nod, Zhu Haomiao ate quickly, his dim pupils wandering as he glanced at the pages of the Book of Black. [Sloth]+2 [Sloth]: LV.4¡úLV.5£¨1/1000£© [Qi]+4 [God]+2 [Essence]+2 Finally, after long pupation and deep sleep, the last bit of progress for [Sloth] was filled up, achieving a stage breakthrough. Additionally, [Gluttony] was only a step away from completion, once this meal was finished, it would likely be there. Squinting his lazy, dreamy eyes, Zhu Haomiao, with some insight, hastened his eating pace. Toot~ As the deep whistle punched through the sky, Zhu Haomiao finally completed the last sliver of [Gluttony]''s experience bar before the cruise ship docked and put down his chopsticks with satisfaction. [Gluttony]+7 [Gluttony]: LV.4¡úLV.5 (4/1000) [Body]+4 [Strength]+3 [Essence]+1 Clenching his fists, feeling the accumulated sheer potential deep within his spirit and body, Zhu Haomiao curled his lips in satisfaction. Besides [Dexterity], all other five attributes accumulated enough to digest for a period, propelling himself a big step toward the dominance realm! "My master, we have arrived at Pyongyang." Holding a long, ancient, and plain black Chinese sword, Wilson approached the young man, half-kneeling, respectfully offering the sword over his head. "Mm, you stay put here." Casually grabbing the long sword to tie at his waist, Zhu Haomiao donned his hood and silently disembarked from the cruise ship, staff along the way unaware of his presence as if he was invisible. Walking leisurely away from the dock, Zhu Haomiao strolled toward the city, discreetly observing the reactions of the passersby, pondering. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After advancing to LV.5, [Sloth]''s "Psychology Invisibility" ability seemed stronger, after dual [Pupation], his presence was further weakened... Even several [Contenders] with badges instinctively overlooked him, not even glancing his way! But... it might be related to the distance... A transcendent with a weaker [God] attribute might have to focus intensely to "perceive" him from a greater distance. And as the gap narrows, the probability of being "perceived" would soar! Additionally, the upgraded [Sloth] seemed to harbor some new profoundness, awaiting his development... Pausing in thought for a moment, the young man looked around, seeing a desolate, decaying cityscape. Compared to Shanghai''s distorted prosperity, the second largest city on the Peninsula seemingly still remained in medieval times, almost no reinforced concrete structures in sight, and the people''s gazes mostly dull, bodies emaciated... Thinking of the historical atrocities little idiot committed on the Peninsula, Zhu Haomiao shook his head in countless emotions. What a sin! Little idiot was truly starved, even exploiting the fat of these unfortunate souls... Sighing, the young man proceeded straight, through dilapidated old wooden buildings, arriving at a secluded building cluster on the outskirts. Before even approaching, a barrage of bizarre languages greeted him, and [Contenders] dressed in eccentric attire conversed with one another, the bustling scene resembling a market. No! It was indeed a "market"! Seeing all sorts of goods laid out on the ground, descenders from all over the world haggled in their respective languages, Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips, finding words hard to come by. This was surprisingly down-to-earth! Drawing no attention, the young man quietly passed through the outer "market," reaching the small square in the depth of the building cluster to see his target. The mission point of the organizing committee''s camp! Stepping through the door, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed staff member''s confusion flashed fleetingly on seeing the golden [Dragon Emblem] on the young man''s chest, then smiled guidingly. "The gathering zone for China is at the innermost part, please proceed inside." Chapter 159 - 159: Black Technology "Thank you." With a polite nod, Zhu Haomiao strolled forward with a peculiar expression, increasingly feeling like he was playing a real-world online game. Was the organizing committee deliberately creating this divide between reality and the Illusion Realm to prevent [the Lost]? While speculating inwardly, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the staff maintaining a professional smile and nodded imperceptibly. With only a moment''s hesitation, he "recognized" himself, indicating that even an ordinary Transcendent wouldn''t find it difficult to see through the "Psychology Invisibility" at this distance. But if he distanced himself by tens or even hundreds of meters, this person probably wouldn''t find it so easy to notice him... As thoughts swirled in his mind, Zhu Haomiao quickly arrived at the Chinese gathering point and saw a familiar figure. "Senior Brother Wang!" Upon hearing a voice that was both familiar and strange, Wang Hua turned his head, looking bewilderedly at the teen greeting him, confusion furrowing his brow. It took him a full two seconds to relax his tightly furrowed brows, his eyes widening in disbelief. "Junior Brother Zhu?!! How did you... huh? No, that''s not right..." Looking left and right, pondering carefully, Wang Hua astonishingly discovered that the eyes were still the same, the nose was still the same, but when they came together, he suddenly couldn''t recognize the face! sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. He couldn''t recognize it! "Hehe, I used some Concealing Secret Technique." Zhu Haomiao casually dismissed it with a sentence, then quickly got to the point. "By the way, Senior Brother Wang, how''s the situation going? I haven''t come too late, have I?" Seeing the teen''s eager and excited appearance, Wang Hua realized, sizing him up with a complex gaze. What Concealing Secret Technique is this? This is clearly interference and distortion at the level of cognition, a mythical-level advanced operation! Noticing a glimpse from the subtle phenomena, Wang Hua clicked his tongue but dared not ask further, going with the flow. "You''ve come just in time; our front line has been a bit tight these past few days." With that, he took Zhu Haomiao''s hand and headed straight for a special passage. "Come, I''ll take you to the command center for a look." With a hint of curiosity, Zhu Haomiao followed Wang Hua all the way down, passing through layers of Transcendent barriers, finally arriving at a sci-fi hall completely inconsistent with the 19th century. The gigantic screen covered most of the dome, displaying a detailed map of the Peninsula and various densely packed icon data. For a moment, Zhu Haomiao felt like he had arrived at an aerospace launch center or a spaceship command room from a sci-fi movie! And in the center of the hall, a more vivid three-dimensional holographic projection occupied a vast space, surrounded by commanding figures who were exchanging discussions. Just then, Zhu Haomiao suddenly noticed small figures fighting each other in the three-dimensional projection, his pupils slightly contracting. "Senior Brother Wang, is that a real-time projection of the battlefield?!" "Yes, the organizing committee has brought the entire battlefield under surveillance, ensuring that no exciting moment is missed." "......" What kind of divine technology is this?! In an instant, Zhu Haomiao realized that the technological level in reality might be much higher than in his previous life during the same period. Even if the universality of the Laws is not strong, even if just one technology from the Illusion Realm is applicable in reality, it''s still tens of thousands of "black technologies"! Not to mention the various functional oddities of [True Object]! Amid the boy''s shock and gasp, Wang Hua quietly patted his back and whispered. "Junior Brother Zhu, Senior Brother Feng is delayed with matters back in China, and as a small Gold here, I lack presence, so help me hold the fort." "Ah?!" Looking around at the figures surrounding the three-dimensional real-time projection, sweeping over their chests all adorned with Purple Gold Dominance Badges, Zhu Haomiao blinked in confusion. I''m a small Gold Chalice too! How can I help you hold the fort? But before he could figure it out, Wang Hua strong-armed him into the central position. "Wang Hua, who is this?" A young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes looked at Wang Hua and Zhu Haomiao beside him, his eyes holding curiosity. Beside him, a stunning woman with a tall figure glanced at the Golden [Dragon Emblem] on the pair''s chests and coldly snorted. "This is the operations command center, don''t bring just anyone in! What if a spy sneaks in?!" The woman''s voice was neither loud nor soft; the other Hegemony-level Transcenders around noticed the scene, exchanging amused glances, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Hehe." On the other side, Wang Hua grinned, ignoring the woman''s sarcastic tone, introducing Zhu Haomiao while holding his hand. "Junior Brother Zhu, let me introduce you; this is Comrade Cui Zhenyu from North Korea." "Comrade Cui Zhenyu, this is our number one seed contender from the Chinese District this year¡ªZhu Haomiao." Upon hearing this, Cui Zhenyu''s initially friendly smile paused momentarily; after a brief surprise, he extended his hand with a solemn and serious expression. "Very pleased to meet you, Comrade Zhu Haomiao." "Hello." With courtesy, Zhu Haomiao shook hands with Cui Zhenyu, noticing the change in everyone''s gaze towards him. Reverence, fear, apprehension, astonishment... It was as if... they were looking at a monster. Am I some Voldemort? Even my name can''t be mentioned?! With an odd expression, Zhu Haomiao frowned, inexplicably recalling the scene when Feng Zhaobai introduced him to Judy Pores last time. She also solemnly and respectfully initiated a handshake with him... But before the boy could understand, Wang Hua introduced the stunning tall woman next to him. "Junior Brother Zhu, this is Miss Li Zhenxi from South Korea." "Hello." Similarly, Li Zhenxi extended her hand with a serious and respectful demeanor, lacking her previous arrogance and hostility, with a hint of slight humility and nervousness. "Hello." Following convention, Zhu Haomiao shook hands politely with her, blinking suspiciously. A Hegemony-level Transcender from South Korea in a northern command center? Is this reasonable? Glancing at Wang Hua, who was proud and elated, Zhu Haomiao suppressed his doubt, maintaining a harmless shy smile. "Come, Junior Brother Zhu, let me introduce you to the frontline situation." With that, Wang Hua waved his hand, and the three-dimensional holographic projection in front of him suddenly lifted, leaping from a specific battlefield to a God''s-eye view from space. Then, semi-transparent red and blue blocks appeared near the 38th parallel, forming a jagged situational awareness map. "Red is ours, blue is the enemy''s. Each block represents strategic points, big and small. Capturing a strategic point gives a one-time large war contribution, while defending one grants continuous daily war contributions." "Among the surviving contenders, the ranking of War Contribution determines the progression to the next stage." After briefly introducing the competition rules, Wang Hua shifted the topic. Chapter 160 - 160: The Advantage is Mine! After briefly introducing the competition rules, Wang Hua switched topics. "Currently, the ''troop strength'' ratio between the enemy and us is 6:4. We''re at a disadvantage." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness, thank goodness, as long as it''s not an advantage... If you raise a flag of prosperity and exuberance, I might as well surrender... "However, the average strength of our contenders is slightly better, so the overall disadvantage isn''t as big as it seems." Looking at Zhu Haomiao, the excited Wang Hua finally uttered the words he''d held back for so long. "And now that you''re here, the dynamics of attack and defense have changed!" "As long as you launch an attack, everything will get better!" "The advantage is ours!" Zhu Haomiao: "...." I''m feeling itchy all over, like I''m full of flags!!! Feeling an inexplicable itchiness all over, the young man pursed his lips with mixed emotions, hesitating to speak. Yet, completely unaware of Zhu Haomiao''s strange expression, Wang Hua waved his fists excitedly as if he could already see the fantasy scene of capturing Han City and chasing the "United Nations Army" into the sea. Quietly listening to Wang Hua point to the territories, commanding with confidence, Zhu Haomiao discreetly pulled him outside. Only after the two left the command center, out of the sight of other national dominant Transcendents, did Zhu Haomiao cautiously ask in a low voice. "Senior Brother Wang, what''s the deal with Li Zhenxi?" "Uh¡­ that''s a long story¡­" Instantly understanding the boy''s confusion, Wang Hua pondered for a moment and then spoke methodically. "The situation in South Korea is very complicated, mainly divided into three factions: pro-China, neutral, and pro-American. This is easy to understand, right?" Zhu Haomiao nodded, pacing slowly while signaling him to continue. "Among them, the neutral or pragmatist faction is the largest, but they''re also the most easily swayed. They''re like reeds, going whichever way the wind blows." "Next is the pro-American faction. Although they aren''t many in absolute numbers, they control the puppet government and comprador conglomerates, dominating politics, economics, military, culture, education, and media¡­ every aspect of the state." "The smallest faction is the pro-China group. We''ve always wanted to cultivate and unite this force, but they''ve struggled due to relentless pro-American faction''s provocations, suppression, and slanderous propaganda." "After all, dominance of public opinion has always been in other people''s hands, so we''re quite passive." Pausing slightly, Wang Hua smiled faintly and shifted the conversation. "However, this time''s [Ascension Competition] is a chance to divide and rope them in, because no matter how strong the pro-American faction''s media dominance is, there''s an even stronger national sentiment within South Korea¡ªanti-Japan!" "And this time, the Bald Eagle forcefully put those two enemies in the same trench at such a sensitive time, directly causing internal division in South Korea." "You know, it''s Jiawu right now; not long after this battle, Japan annexed Korea." "Even knowing it''s just an Illusion Realm, if you stand with the Japanese now, what does that make you?" "Imagine, in a World War II Illusion Realm scenario, a certain superpower asks you to fight alongside the Japan Imperial Army; how would you feel?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao just barely imagined it and his brows unconsciously furrowed. Wouldn''t that make me a traitor? No way! The Illusion Realm can go, my life can go, but the Japan Imperial Army must die! On the other side, noticing the emotions in Zhu Haomiao''s heart, Wang Hua lifted a schadenfreude smile. "That''s why; they''re sensitive, have a fragile heart, and can''t accept it emotionally!" "So, after a big internal argument, many South Korean contenders gritted their teeth and stamped their feet..." "Screw it, grandpa''s going Communist!!" Zhu Haomiao: "...." What kind of comedy show is this? "Li Zhenxi is the representative among their faction." "This has already caused some public opinion crisis in reality, but their propaganda machine temporarily pressed it down." "But since someone defected, even if it''s a forced choice, we can''t let them feel cold. Of course, we have to increase our support for them~" Listening to Wang Hua''s excited words, Zhu Haomiao sensed a strong sense of mischief in his tone. Dividing, roping in, internal disintegration¡­ This tactic seems somewhat familiar¡­ Inexplicably, Zhu Haomiao thought of the time when the three East Asian countries intended to bypass the US Dollar settlement and directly engage in currency swaps. Then, the United States used two inconspicuous little islands to stir up national emotions, kill the three warriors with two peaches, and instantly dissolved this economic alliance that could shake the foundation of the US Dollar. At that time, the United States used overt schemes, turning the clouds with a flick of the hand, and now our own side is blatantly prying at others'' walls, using their methods against them... Both are national sentiments; the eagle can play, but the rabbit can''t?! Smirking mischievously, Zhu Haomiao suddenly recalled something and softly asked. "This is a camp battle... aren''t you worried that so many South Korean contenders might have spies?" Hearing this, Wang Hua glanced at the boy with a helpless smile. "The north and south both have the same organizing committee, and the data is interconnected. Do you really think there''s a secret?" Zhu Haomiao: "...." "Besides, the rules were designed to prevent any exploits. If someone cheats, the committee staff will intervene. Otherwise, why do you think the command center stockpiles so much dominance?" Shaking his head with a laugh, Wang Hua continued in a gentle tone. "Ultimately, hard power determines final victory. Any other cunning tactics are just fleeting illusions, easily shattered." Thoughtfully nodding, as Zhu Haomiao raised his gaze, he suddenly realized that without knowing, he had followed Wang Hua out of the complex and into the wilderness. "Senior Brother Wang, where are you taking me?" "Did Senior Brother Feng not tell you?" "Huh? Tell me what?" "Didn''t he mention introducing you to a friend? He even specifically asked me to take you to meet him before leaving." Scratching his head, Zhu Haomiao thought for a long time, vaguely recalling something. But at that time, Feng Zhaobai only casually mentioned it, and he didn''t really pay attention. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a hint of curiosity, the boy followed Wang Hua through the woods, and in less than half an hour, they arrived at a massive camp stretching over ten miles. "What is this?" "Qing Army Camp, let''s go." Without much explanation, Wang Hua led Zhu Haomiao into the camp with an air of familiarity, passed inspections, and made his way to the Central Army Tent. "Mr. Wang." The Personal Guard Commander at the entrance, donned in heavy scale armor with a sword at his waist, approached to greet them politely, sneaking a glance at the boy following Wang Hua. Chapter 161 - 161: Our Comrades Are Everywhere Across the Five Lakes and Four Seas This seemingly unremarkable glance unexpectedly stirred a sense of threat in Zhu Haomiao''s heart, like a thorn pressing against his back. "Who is this young man?" "A friend, who has arranged to meet Lord Nalan." Seeing that Wang Hua was unwilling to elaborate, the personal guard commander with a fierce aura frowned in discomfort, his gaze falling on the black sword at the youth''s waist. "Then may I trouble the gentleman to leave his weapon outside the tent." "No need, let them come in." At that moment, a rich, magnetic male voice came from inside the tent, and the personal guard commander quickly cupped his fists in acceptance. "As you command." Having said that, he lifted the heavy curtain of the central army tent and respectfully gestured. "Please." "Thank you for your trouble." Wang Hua casually cupped his fists, leading the silent youth into the spacious central army tent. Facing them, a sturdy man with a broad back and a national character face, topped with a rat-tail hairstyle, sat in the tent, watching them with interest. "Greetings to Lord Nalan." "Sit." Wang Hua led Zhu Haomiao to sit down below, quietly not speaking, waiting until the thick curtain was fully closed, a mysterious force sealing the tent, and the noise outside suddenly fell silent, he finally let out a long breath, his whole body completely relaxed. "Junior Brother Zhu, let me introduce you, this is Nalan Shu." "Old Shu, this is our number one seed, Zhu Haomiao." Upon hearing this, Nalan Shu looked meaningfully at the youth, nodding slightly in acknowledgment. "Hello, Feng Zhaobai often mentions you to me." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao glanced curiously at the rat-tail on his head and tentatively asked. "Could it be...you are?" Nalan Shu smiled without speaking, lifting his vestment to reveal a mysterious and elegant purple-golden hue. Seeing the familiar [Dragon Emblem], even though he was mentally prepared, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but catch his breath, a phrase flashing through his mind. Our comrades are scattered across the world, even infiltrating the enemy''s ranks! Immediately, looking at Nalan Shu''s mature, dignified, and even slightly aged face, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but ask curiously. "Senior Nalan, when did you enter here?" Upon hearing this, Nalan Shu gazed distantly into the void, murmuring. "I was among the first pioneers to enter, and it''s been almost 40 virtual years now..." Listening to his dreamlike whispers, Zhu Haomiao was shocked to the core. 40 years! This is almost equivalent to experiencing more than half a lifetime! On the other side, Nalan Shu shook his head, the trace of confusion in his heart instantly extinguished, his pupils regaining clarity. He looked up to see the youth''s astonished expression, chuckling and shaking his head. "Don''t look at me like this right now, in reality, I''m the same age as Feng Zhaobai and only a few years older than you, so you can just call me Senior Brother." "Ah?" Looking at his mature appearance of over fifty, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment, suppressing his strange emotions to speak. "Senior Brother Nalan." "Hmm, originally, I could have ascended to the Upper Realm long ago, but the task assigned by the nation hasn''t been completed. Now, with the help of talents like you, I finally see the dawn of ascension." S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Glancing at the golden [Dragon Emblem] on the youth''s chest, Nalan Shu''s eyes were filled with expectation. Feeling an inexplicable sense of heavy responsibility, Zhu Haomiao earnestly nodded. "I will do everything in my power to ensure a bloody defeat for the enemy." As soon as these words were spoken, the smiles on the faces of the two people beside him momentarily froze, exchanging a glance seamlessly. Feng Zhaobai was right, his inclination for violence is truly strong! Receiving a signal from Nalan Shu, Wang Hua smiled wryly and shrugged. Otherwise, why would he repeatedly emphasize that you must keep an eye on him and avoid any accidents... Subsequently, the two sighed in unison, but Wang Hua quickly gathered himself, shifting the topic. "Junior Brother Zhu, the reason I brought you here is to let you know that Old Shu can be trusted." "The upcoming war and the Jiawu War are two sides of the same coin. We must cooperate and assist each other to achieve the final victory." "Oh." Zhu Haomiao nodded, but under the influence of double [Pupation], his slow and dazed mind couldn''t process too much complex information. After careful thought and analysis, he concluded: as long as I kill all my enemies, victory will certainly be mine! After reviewing this, he felt there was no problem, and Zhu Haomiao nodded firmly with determination in his eyes. "I understand. I will definitely help Senior Brother Nalan kill all the enemies!" "..." Nalan Shu painfully pinched his eyebrow, faintly understanding the feeling Feng Zhaobai had when venting his frustrations to him. This "comprehension king" has completely misunderstood... However, upon careful thought, he seemed to have a point. The essence of war is indeed slaughter; as long as all the enemies are killed, victory will naturally be achieved! But...isn''t this a bit too extreme? Smacking his lips, emotions churned within Nalan Shu, ultimately transforming countless words into a weary sigh. "Junior Brother Zhu, at least...you mustn''t kill captives!" "Killing captives brings misfortune!" ......... As days passed swiftly like a shuttle, more than ten days went by in the blink of an eye. In the command hall outside the suburbs of Pyongyang, Li Zhenxi stared at the 3D holographic map, anxiously and expectantly biting her lip. "It''s been over ten days; has he still not acted?" Beside her, Cui Zhenyu shook his head calmly. "He is very patient, likely still perceiving the battlefield''s dynamics." Upon hearing this, several other on-duty dominants gathered around, their faces filled with gossip. "Cui Zhenyu, aren''t you in a blood alliance? Do you know anything about that...um...that [Dragon''s Son]?" Surrounded by the curious ''gossipy'' comrades, Cui Zhenyu couldn''t help but laugh wryly, grinning. "As for information about Him, I know just as much as you all do¡ªrumors gathered from hearsay." "Could He just be a facade? It''s been over ten days on the frontlines without any significant achievements..." Hearing Li Zhenxi''s quiet mumble, Cui Zhenyu shook his head without hesitation. "Impossible, it''s validated by the Security Council as an [Abyss]." "Moreover, the [Evil Dragon of the Empire] wasn''t just bragged about, but fought out from the Japanese..." "I assume you''ve all seen the footage of that match; can you honestly say that you exhibited such might at the Silver Level?" Seeing the crowd''s faces turn serious, their eyebrows furrowed in contemplation, Cui Zhenyu continued to smile. "Not to mention Silver Level, many hegemony-level transcenders can''t achieve the [Mythical State], and that opponent trampled by Him, I''m sure you have some understanding of their identity..." "That was a genuine god reincarnated, one of Japan''s strongest Three Noble Sons!" "And the result? Killed with a single stomp by the [Dragon''s Son]!" "That''s why the Japanese wail the [Evil Dragon of the Empire], and the enemy''s pain and despair are the best evidence..." Chapter 162 - 162: Can You Play Like This? As he spoke, Cui Zhenyu couldn''t help but let the corners of his mouth curl up slightly, as if he could see the scene of the Japanese God being stomped to death. Good brother! As long as you crush the Japanese, we''re blood brothers from different mothers!! Meanwhile, Li Zhenxi''s expression was much more complex, both excited and stifled, tangled and restless. On one hand, she was also happy about the little idiot''s crushing defeat, yet on the other, she couldn''t help but feel a tinge of jealousy. The country she once looked down upon as a backwater has somehow soared in just a few short years, becoming a match for the beacon of civilization! The stronger they became, the more it made her feel like a clown! Unless... she denied her former self and embraced the new leader... In a trance, she seemed to touch a memory ingrained in her genes, recalling the days dominated by the Heavenly Dynasty. Damn it! Why did a human-shaped, young, controllable[Abyss]descend upon the neighboring country? They already have so many [Human Gods], one more wouldn''t make a difference... If it had been born in the Southern Peninsula, it would have been different! We might have maintained some independence, able to decide our nation''s fate ourselves! Instead of being torn apart and consumed like a piece of fat for over a hundred years! A trace of sadness flashed in her bright eyes, and Li Zhenxi subconsciously looked towards Cui Zhenyu, an inexplicable sense of self-defeat flitting through her mind. If the North could be conquered, it might be a good thing... At least a unified peninsula would be a "chess piece" both sides would want to attract, rather than the "chessboard" of a struggle between two superpowers! On the other side, with no awareness of Li Zhenxi''s wild thoughts, Cui Zhenyu was still in low conversation and discussion with Transcendents from other dominant nations. "Wasn''t there a rumor that he was erratic and bloodthirsty? He doesn''t look like it..." "Hmm, I thought he''d make a big move right when he came online, but he hasn''t done anything in over ten days!" "Look at his movements; he''s inspected the entire battlefront stretching hundreds of kilometers, just stopped now..." "Hiss... Feels like he''s like a poisonous snake gliding through the battlefield, searching, observing for something..." "Eh? Hearing you say that, now that he''s stopped at the Kaicheng line, could he have found a breakthrough?" ... Completely unaware of the exaggerated discussions about him further back, Zhu Haomiao, over two hundred kilometers away on the front line, stood hooded under a black cloak, quietly gazing at the distant [Micro Strategic Point]. It was a sentry post on a small hillside, paired with a perception-type Transcendent, easily monitoring all movements within a dozen miles, now conveniently controlled by the enemy. The youth stood still, his eyes slightly unfocused, dazed like a puppet, standing there for several hours. Finally, as the sun slanted slightly westward, some mysterious transformation was utterly completed, and a faint gold light burst forth in the youth''s eyes. [Storage Explosion]: LV.3¡úLV.4 (Small Success) [Qi]+2 [Body]+2 sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. [God]+1 Huh~ He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, a torrent of surging energy breaking through from the depths of his spirit and body, filling him with a sense of abundant and swelling power. Clenching his fists, feeling the sudden elevation of strength to a new level, Zhu Haomiao smiled in satisfaction, then raised an eyebrow in surprise. Vaguely aware, after leaving a "breakthrough slot" empty, he sensed something new emerging in the advancement to LV.5 [Sloth]... But there was no time to ponder it, as Zhu Haomiao slightly turned his head, locking eyes with a glowing-eyed owl perched on a tree tens of meters away. Vaguely, the youth understood that without the dual cover of [Pupation], his aura had been instantly detected! Meanwhile, on the nearby hillside, a blonde, blue-eyed girl opened her eyes and instructed the small-statured soldiers beside her. "There''s an enemy! Light the beacon and go to nearby posts for reinforcements." The soldiers, wiping guns and holding blades, paused for a moment then quickly snapped out of it, respectfully saluting and lighting a pre-prepared oil barrel. Thick black smoke rose into the sky. Several hundred meters away, watching the black smoke rising on the hill, Zhu Haomiao pressed his lips in impatience. Failed to achieve a [Perfect Infiltration]... Nevermind, as long as I kill everyone inside, no one will know I was here... Body in motion, the youth turned into a dark streak, dashing towards the hillside, speeding towards the few small fleeing figures. Elsewhere, a few locust soldiers formed a simple formation, cautiously retreating. But before they could descend the hillside, a shadow appeared ghost-like before them, followed by a shimmering water-like, luxurious sword light blinding their vision. "Ahhh!!" Only having time for a brief shriek, five locust soldiers clutched their slit throats, collapsing painfully to the ground, torrents of blood gushing like waterfalls from under their hands, quickly pooling beneath them. By the time Stephanie Pons had finished her pre-battle spell preparations and came to check, the sight was a hill of twitching, convulsing corpses, and in the center, the black-clad youth casually twirled his sword, flicking away the last drop of blood. "You..." A trace of anger rose in Stephanie Pons'' heart, ready to reprimand him for reckless slaughter. Yet, seeing the golden [Dragon Emblem] gleaming on his chest, she swallowed the words with helpless resignation. As everyone knew, in the Illusion Realm, Chinese people need no reason to kill the Japanese. Especially military units... Pressing her lips, her gaze swept over the youth''s elegant narrow sword, Stephanie Pons quickly made her decision. Chinese Martial Artists... cannot be engaged in close combat, cannot be overpowered, must use Void Spirit... While forming a strategy, Stephanie Pons gracefully bowed and introduced herself. "Germany, [Mountain Witch] Stephanie Pons." "China, Zhu Haomiao." Zhu Haomiao replied indifferently, not wanting to say much to a corpse. Seeing the youth advance with sword in hand towards her, Stephanie Pons slightly furrowed her brows, faintly hearing the indistinct sound of ocean waves and tides. Acutely sensing the air around the youth ripple and wave like spreading ripples, the faint might of heaven and earth pressed palpably on her heart, and a thunderous name flashed in Stephanie Pons'' mind. [Stacked Waves¡¤Tidal Wave Realm]! Faced directly with this legendary power for the first time, Stephanie Pons hesitated not a bit and leaped backward, her form twisting and morphing mid-air, transforming into a gigantic harpy-like creature soaring upwards. Watching as his opponent flapped wings soaring into the sky, Zhu Haomiao blinked in momentary bewilderment, pressing his lips. No way... dude... Is that even allowed? Chapter 163 - 163: Beast Spirit "Screech~" After a clear eagle''s screech, a translucent, blurry giant bear suddenly condensed, towering high, charging towards the young man with a violent momentum. This thing... With a slight frown, clearly aware that the enemy wasn''t physical, Zhu Haomiao reserved seventy percent of his strength, making a tentative swing of his sword towards the bear spirit. "Roar!" A deep roar resonated by his ear, as if a real giant bear was pouncing right in front of him. Zhu Haomiao''s sword sliced down, but the expected cutting sensation was absent, instead it felt like he swiped through air, stumbling slightly and exposing a flaw. The bear spirit, cut in half by a sword, slapped the young man with a paw. The semi-transparent sharp bear claws passed through the metal-glossed skin like a phantom, tearing out a faint bloody mist. "Hiss~" A slight stinging sensation transmitted to his mind, Zhu Haomiao''s eyebrow twitched, realizing he had lost a bit of Qi and blood. This thing can ignore Hard Qi Skill''s physical defense?! Seeing his unharmed body, Zhu Haomiao smirked with a hunter''s thrill. This was his first encounter with a Magic System Descender... Meanwhile, the bear spirit''s slash wound merged and healed as if liquid, while the crimson mist on the bear''s paw also absorbed into its spirit body... As if it had consumed a great tonic, the bear spirit stood upright, roaring excitedly as it charged at the young man once again. Facing the massive spirit body charging like a tank, Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes, allowing his inner breath to burst out from his body. Heavenly Gang Power! Boom! Without dodging, Zhu Haomiao took the bear spirit''s slap head-on. The originally invisible Protective Gang Qi showed rings of translucent ripples visible to the naked eye. Seeing the bear claw stopped centimeters above his body, the young man sneered, counterattacking with a punch that pierced through the bear spirit. Stephanie Pons hovering mid-air felt a slight tingling at her brow, her hawk-like sinister pupils suddenly contracting. The second basic force! Still effective against spiritual attacks with Heavenly Gang Power! How did I end up encountering an elite martial artist capable of using two basic forces simultaneously? Stephanie Pons lamented inwardly, issuing another eagle screech, summoning more beast spirits. "Roar!" An illusory tiger spirit descended from above, bringing a barely noticeable fishy wind as it pounced at Zhu Haomiao. Behind the young man, a giant translucent python swiftly slithered, silently attacking him. Further away, numerous giant wolf spirits turned from illusion to reality, howling as they charged from all directions. Sizzle~ Amidst the high-pitched sharp sound breaking the air, sword light flickered within a few meters, shredding all pouncing spirits into fragments. However, the next second, these spirit fragments began to coalesce like smoke, gnashing their teeth once more. Understanding the key, Zhu Haomiao ignored these seemingly ferocious spiritual creatures, lifting his gaze to fixate on Stephanie Pons revolving nearby. Meeting those deep dark eyes, Stephanie Pons shivered, feeling a bone-chilling cold shoot up her spine, utterly horrifying. Boom! Before she could process what was happening, the young man on the ground pushed off with his feet, transforming into a streak of light shooting skywards, directly attacking her! "Screech~" Instinctively emitting a shriek, the bird-bodied, human-faced Stephanie Pons flapped her wings, nimbly redirecting in the air, dodging several meters away. Slash~ The sharp sword light streaked past where she just hovered, and the airborne young man locked eyes with her across a few meters, a hint of impatience flashing in his sinister, dark pupils. But missing the strike, the two passed by, the young man at the highest point of the arc, free-falling like a stone. The black cloak fluttered wildly behind him, and in midair, Zhu Haomiao adjusted his posture, slightly squatting as he hit the ground to buffer the immense impact. Thud~ It was as if a giant stone fell from the sky, the young man''s feet creating a shallow dish-shaped crater, and he lifted his gaze to watch the enemy flying even higher. Up in the air, Stephanie Pons was filled with fear and anger. Normally, that distance should have been safe, but she didn''t foresee Zhu Haomiao having such terrifying burst power, reaching her side in just an instant. Is this guy a flea?! Thankfully, he lacked the ability to maneuver in the air; otherwise, once up close, she wouldn''t have lasted ten seconds! Recognizing the terrifying physique of the Chinese Martial Artist again, Stephanie Pons continued to ascend, reaching the limit of her beast spirit control range. Gazing at the small black dot in the sky, Zhu Haomiao clicked his tongue helplessly. Gale Force is still undergoing transformation, unable to utilize its extraordinary power, and combined with the sealed strength only being around Silver Peak, otherwise, the opponent wouldn''t have time to react and would''ve been decapitated by a single sword. Also, still lacking long-range attack means... "Hiss hiss~~" Just as Zhu Haomiao summarized his shortcomings, a giant translucent python over ten meters long and as thick as a barrel bit his shoulder, its fangs creating faint ripples on the Protective Gang Qi shield formed by Heavenly Gang Power. Subsequently, the massive snake body coiled around him, instantly wrapping the young man like a dumpling. Feeling the encircling force like a hydraulic press trying to crush him, a sinister scarlet blood light flashed in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Anger! Boom! Lifting his hand to struggle, an irresistible mighty force poured out wantonly, shattering the giant snake spirit into sections of spectral images. Crash crash~ The scarlet blood particles combined with the world force of Stacked Waves Strength, forming a dim blood-colored tide spreading outward centered on Zhu Haomiao. The wolf spirits charging fearlessly felt like they were being hit by a real blood wave, letting out a wretched cry. The previously solid semi-transparent spectral figure twisted, clearly sustaining some damage. In the sky, viewing the slowly unfolding "blood-colored lotus" on the ground, Stephanie Pons'' pupils involuntarily dilated. The mere dispersing protective energy could injure the wolf spirits?! What kind of monster is this?! However, she barely had time to be shocked before the young man on the ground slowly crouched down, resembling a spring gradually being compressed, crazily accumulating power. Instinctively sensing danger, Stephanie Pons disregarded controlling her beast spirits, frantically flapping her wings to fly higher into the sky. But before she could ascend several meters, Zhu Haomiao on the ground suddenly raised his gaze, locking on her with his sight. Storage Explosion! Boom! The immense energy compressed in his dantian instantly unleashed, the violent extraordinary power erupting like a loaded cannon, exhibiting a world-shattering power! It was as if an illusory explosion echoed in his soul, as Zhu Haomiao''s feet abruptly pushed off the ground, explosively creating a meter-wide radial shallow pit. Chapter 164 - 164, I hope he is in good health In the sky, Stephanie Pons saw only a ring of white mist-like shockwave flash across the ground for an instant, and in the next moment, that monster-like youth was already in her face. Her pupils shrank to the size of pinholes, and Stephanie Pons instinctively activated her innate divine ability, suddenly disappearing from her original position, only to appear without warning several dozen meters away. [Flashing]! The sword blade sliced through the afterimage, and Zhu Haomiao turned his eyes, capturing the enemy not far away. Without hesitation, he let go of the treasure sword in his hand, channeling the raging energy from his Eight Extraordinary Meridians into his palm. Boom! With one palm strike on the round pommel of the sword handle, the sharp eight-sided Han sword, like a steel needle launched from a railgun, instantly crossed several dozen meters, piercing through more than a dozen body protection spells, entering the harpy''s chest and exiting through the back. Not even realizing she was under attack, Stephanie Pons only felt a flash of white light and a numbness in her chest. Instinctively lowering her head, she saw a circular hole right through her body. Through that circular hole over ten centimeters in diameter, Stephanie Pons could not only see her writhing and spasming remaining organs but also the lush mountainous earth behind her. It took a full second or two for the intense pain to transmit to her brain, and Stephanie Pons''s mouth overflowed with torrents of fresh blood. Unable to flap her wings any longer, she plummeted towards the earth like a goose struck by an arrow. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao''s body kept rising uncontrollably, flying for nearly ten more seconds before completely running out of force and beginning to gradually accelerate downward. Thud~ Stepping into a shallow dish-shaped pit again, Zhu Haomiao slowly straightened up, looked around, and found that all the Beast Spirits had disappeared. Shaking his legs, which were numbed by the shock, he then walked toward the direction where the enemy had fallen. Ten minutes later, after retrieving his treasure sword that had been shot out, Zhu Haomiao found the "crashed" Stephanie Pons in a lush thicket. Perhaps on the brink of death, she could no longer maintain the transformation technique, reverting to the form of a human girl. Except the once young and charming girl was now full of blood, with a gory, penetrating wound in her chest, her spasming and trembling broken organs exposed unprotected to the air, looking exceptionally miserable. "You..." The girl opened her mouth to speak, but the torrent of blood blocked her throat, leaving her to glare at Zhu Haomiao with resentful and unwilling eyes. "Don''t be afraid, I''ll relieve you of your pain soon." Seeing the youth raising the treasure sword expressionlessly, Stephanie Pons, in a moment of lucidity, mustered up a little strength and forced a sentence from the depths of her throat. "Remember... to... return... my... badge..." "Huh?" Unexpectedly, she held out to say such a thing, Zhu Haomiao was stunned with the sword held high, not yet reacting when the girl''s head tilted, pupils slowly dilating, losing the breath of life. Looking at those gradually hollow and dim pupils, Zhu Haomiao blinked, lowering the long sword he held aloft. In the next second, a seven-colored mist that others couldn''t see rose from the girl''s corpse and entered Zhu Haomiao''s body, like a swallow returning to the forest. Greedily absorbing desire and Qi Fortune, the youth''s eyes flickered with mysterious black light, involuntarily revealing a smile of pleasure and enjoyment. But soon, the death-extracted source quality and desires were completely devoured, the ethereal soul ejected from this plane, disappearing from perception. Smacking his lips in satisfaction, Zhu Haomiao looked at the [Book of Black]. [Jealousy] +200, [Greed] +100, [Lust] +100 [Jealousy]: LV.4¡úLV.5 (178/1000) [Dexterity] +4 [God] +2 [Strength] +2 Aside from the already near-levelling [Jealousy], the other two Original Sins were merely drops in the bucket! A Golden-level mage only yielded this much? Compared to when Hao Yi died, even a mere Silver-level native contributed 800 points of [Lust], Zhu Haomiao was thoughtfully frowning in contemplation. It seems, as the level of Original Sin increases, the "value" of the same 1 point experience varies greatly... At LV.0, 100 points might equate to only 1 point at LV.6! As he pondered, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but reminisce about a certain battle, shaking his head nostalgically. The middle-school syndrome Lord''s gold content was still rising! Sheathing the sword, Zhu Haomiao clasped his hands together in a devout prayer. Hoping to encounter him again in other Illusion Realms... Hoping he becomes well-fed and well-nourished, succulent and fleshy... Ptui! Wrong! Hoping he remains healthy, safe, and joyful! Amen~ Drawing a cross over his chest, Zhu Haomiao looked down at the gruesomely deceased girl''s body, pursing his lips in distress. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After hesitating for a moment, the youth dragged the girl''s body back to the lookout on the small hill, and as he passed by the corpses of several cold locust army members, a thought suddenly struck him. It seems... there''s oil to be squeezed... Blinking, following the guidance of spirituality, Zhu Haomiao cut off the heads of the five locust army members, stacking them into a small corpse pile on the flat ground of the lookout. In an instant, the simplistic ritual completed, a thin seven-colored mist materialized from the void, slowly seeping into the surface of the youth''s body. [Anger] +6 Emmmm... Is that it?!! Looking at those barely significant values, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a moment and sighed helplessly. Well, something''s better than nothing... Sighing, the youth suddenly had a thought, glancing at the girl''s body with empty eyes. Cutting off her head as well... might it? The daring thought flashed and vanished, and Zhu Haomiao finally suppressed the wicked thought, shaking his head. She''s not a locust army, randomly chopping heads doesn''t seem very civilized or polite... But in the next second, whimsical abstract thoughts flooded back. If you don''t chop off heads, it happens you can take advantage while it''s hot... Hehehe~ Caught halfway through the thought, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized, pupils shrinking to pinpoints, taking a sharp intake of breath. Absolute blasphemy! Giving himself a hard slap, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, frantically constructing mental barriers for himself. First, you are a [human]! Second, you are a [human]! Humans cannot, or at least should not, take advantage while it''s hot... Shuddering, Zhu Haomiao forcibly calmed himself, taking from the girl''s body a golden badge engraved with an oak and crown before quickly leaving the small hill lookout. Shortly after he left, the [teammates] who had come in response to the smoke signal arrived on the scene. "Stephanie!!!" Coming face-to-face with the girl''s corpse leaning against the corner, head tilted, "broad-minded," several youths rushed over, faces grieving. After a momentary grief, the descenders accustomed to life and death quickly composed themselves and regained their calm. "The Holy Emblem is missing, it should have been reclaimed by the enemy." "The committee will be responsible for recovering fallen combatants'' badges, so there''s no need to worry about that..." Crouching down, the leading youth measured the nearly inch-wide circular hole in the girl''s chest, his brows knitting together slowly. Chapter 165 - 165: Resolute Killing Intent "The key is who can kill Stephanie in such a short time; she couldn''t even hold on until we came to support..." Staring at the hideously cruel penetrating wound on Stephanie Pons'' chest, the others couldn''t help but frown. "It looks like a shell wound, but with Stephanie''s mobility, it''s almost impossible for artillery to hit her." "Could it be an ambush-style assassination? If a powerful warrior got close, it''s still very possible to inflict such a wound." Hearing his teammates'' discussion, the leading youth glanced around, pondered for a moment, and quickly dismissed the guess. "It wasn''t an assassination ambush. Stephanie''s perception can cover a distance of over a dozen kilometers, and the enemy should have been discovered when they reached the foot of the mountain." "Then the sentry soldiers lit a wolf smoke and got ambushed and killed on the way down for help, after which Stephanie clashed head-on with the enemy..." Mumbling to himself, the leading youth reached a giant saucer-shaped shallow pit, step by step to the center, then instinctively raised his head to gaze at the sky. "Stephanie turned into a Harpy to increase distance, using Void Spirit to play with the enemy, trying to buy time..." "But she underestimated the enemy''s explosive power and got instantly closed in upon, killed with one blow..." At this point, the youth slightly frowned. "No, Stephanie had life-preserving Divine Skills, there shouldn''t be no time to react!" "She should have dodged the attack but was still struck down by the thrown weapon, killed by chest-penetration." Turning back to examine the monstrous gash on the girl''s body, the youth murmured to himself. "She didn''t even have time to surrender!" "The enemy''s intent to kill was utterly determined!" Listening to his analysis, the rest seemed to see the entire battle play out, frowning more deeply. The enemy had an almost overwhelming advantage, Stephanie hovered in the sky all the time, not daring to come down, numerous spells surpassed their casting range, yet even so cautious, she was slain in less than ten minutes. This kind of terrifying combat power probably already surpassed general Golden Level, only those top contenders who are a step away from dominance could achieve it! The most crucial point is the enemy''s ruthless and merciless determination to kill... Normally, at their level, the circle is quite small; they are all elites in various countries'' transcendent systems, and might even become standalone managers in the future. Everyone meets seeing eye-to-eye, generally won''t go for extermination. After all, today''s enemy in the Illusion Realm might become tomorrow''s comrade in a real-world Super Natural Disaster. No one wants to guard against a "teammate" when fighting Invasive Species. Even if the other doesn''t try intentionally to sabotage you, just with an attitude of "ally in trouble, remain unmoved" is enough to make things tough for you. So typically, in a conflict between both sides, everyone stops before crossing the line, forming a goodwill bond. Unless... there''s a grudge between both parties, and carry a real-world political mission... Thinking of this, one of the youths glanced around, noticing a blood-soaked pile of human heads not far away. "Corpse Pile... It really is someone from the [Dragon]!" The rest of the companions also noticed the sinister symbol of the head pile, instinctively swallowed their saliva. "When was the last time the [Dragon] piled a Corpse Pile?" "Two years ago, in the Middle Heavenly Position''s Magic WWII world line Illusion Realm, they built a nearly hundred-meter high Corpse Pile at Fuji Mountain, and besides civilians and prisoners, they almost slaughtered the entire Japanese army in that Illusion Realm..." "Even the descenders who sided wrongly were implicated, killed until rivers of blood flowed." Hearing their companion''s murmuring, the group felt even more parched. "It seems the [Dragon] is truly angry, I have a bad feeling..." "Me too..." "Damned! If it wasn''t for NATO forcibly unifying factions, we could have completely bet on both sides and survived this stage of the tournament!" "Sigh... In a clash between two Super Powers, in the end, the ones who suffer the most are us innocent bystanders..." "Hehe, we''re still considered okay, look at Japan, no matter which side wins, they will suffer heavy losses in the end." No comparison, no harm; thinking of the Japanese plight ahead, the crowd felt a little less depressed, and sly smiles formed on their lips. "South Korea''s smart, directly defected, and yet the United States itself had no grounds, could do nothing to them, even had to continue to win over the remaining ones..." "This way, no matter which side wins in the end, many from South Korea can advance to the next stage." ...... And just as the group was in lively discussion, in a cave tens of kilometers away, Zhu Haomiao sat cross-legged on the ground, carefully comprehending the new Authority of LV.5 level [Sloth]. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a long while, with a stream of consciousness, the ethereal Divinity responded to his will, materializing gray-white threads from the void, quickly winding around him. The soft threads solidified, forming a metal-like pupa shell, merging into the youth''s body. Double [Pupation]! But this time, Zhu Haomiao didn''t infuse a new Cultivation Technique Extraordinary Seed, but instead repeatedly wrapped the pupa shell on the still-transforming [Gale Force] insect pupae! Silently, the speed of the Cultivation Technique''s transformation began to multiply, the youth''s dull, weary eyes couldn''t help but shine with joy. Although from a broad perspective, it merely sped up the transformation of a single Cultivation Technique, seemingly not much different. But it granted him more room for choice! He could "double-open" for balanced development, or specialize in one item in a short time, promoting it to the peak! More importantly, the second layer of [Pupa] covers the first layer, if he encounters danger, he can calmly unwind the First Layer Sealing, resuming [Cocooning] after weathering the crisis, without worrying that months of transformation would go down the drain! Clenching his fists, feeling his weak, frail body, Zhu Haomiao rubbed his chin with one hand and took out a golden badge engraved with an oak and crown, fiddling with it carefully. This was his first time coming in contact with another country''s Holy Emblem, and after detailed examination, he had to admit, this thing''s technical content was quite high, involving the soul, bloodline, existence concept, and so on, not as easy to "crack" as imagined. No wonder each country regards it as the best means of identity verification... The golden badge gently rolled and leaped between his fingers, Zhu Haomiao''s thoughts scattered as he began to plan the next actions. After a brief testing of skills earlier, he roughly gauged his strength level in different states. In a First Layer Sealing state, he has an overwhelming advantage over a single Golden Level transcendent, but facing a Golden Team might be beyond his reach... Chapter 166 - 166, Supernatural Combat Intuition And a strategic point, after clearing out enemy units, still needs to be guarded for 24 hours to be considered captured. Once you occupy a strategic point, enemy reinforcements will certainly swarm in, and in your sealed state, you probably can''t hold out for 24 hours alone! Either find teammates to share the burden. Or wait for the transformation of [Gale Force] to complete, and suppress the strategic point in a peak state alone! Both methods have their pros and cons, the former can share risks, while the latter can monopolize greater benefits. While Zhu Haomiao was pondering, his hungry stomach let out a thunderous growl. Gurgle gurgle~~ Clutching his slightly aching chest and abdomen, the boy gulped and helplessly pursed his lips. No need to struggle, just head back for a rest, there''s no food supply in the wilderness to satisfy your appetite! Ding~ With a slight flick of his thumb, the Golden Sacred Emblem spun and flew into the air, caught by Zhu Haomiao in his palm as he stood up. Having made up his mind, the boy turned into an almost imperceptible shadow and quickly disappeared into the rugged mountain terrain of the peninsula. Guided by the invisible faith beacon, Zhu Haomiao raced back to his "mobile supply point" on a cruise ship, where he was greeted by Wilson, respectfully waiting at the railing. "My lord, as per your instructions, the meal is ready." "Very good." Buzz~ With a casual flick, he tossed a [Greed Coin] as a reward to Wilson. Zhu Haomiao suddenly remembered something and asked solemnly. "By the way, is Diao Chan awake?" Feverishly merging the [Greed Coin] into his body, Wilson bowed respectfully. "The Holy Spirit woke up once midway, but fell back into a deep sleep after eating." Zhu Haomiao: "......" Sleep after eating, eat after sleeping, are you a pig?! The boy pursed his lips and walked straight past Wilson, heading towards the luxurious dining room that could accommodate dozens of people at a time. The dazzling array of glowing delicacies came into view, with rich and sweet aromas wafting through the air. Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath of intoxication, a hint of hungry green light flickered in his eyes, and the growling of his stomach sounded like a giant monster''s distant murmur from the depths of the water. The service staff standing around couldn''t help feeling a chill run down their spines, a wave of inexplicable fear rose from their tailbones. But the terrifying sensation that made one''s heart and liver shiver passed quickly, and the eerie green light in the boy''s pupils was instantly suppressed deep into the ocean of consciousness, restoring his harmless and lazy gaze. Phew~ The frightening "illusion" came and went quickly, leaving the service staff breathing a sigh of relief as their eyes drifted around before turning their focus back to work with self-deprecating smiles. Zhu Haomiao sat elegantly at the main seat, eating slowly with a graceful demeanor befitting a nobleman from a prestigious family. Yet beneath the facade of "chewing carefully and swallowing slowly," his eating pace was anything but slow. More astonishingly, he maintained such a steady frequency for over 24 hours! At LV.5, [Gluttony] had evolved Zhu Haomiao''s appetite to a monstrous level. By the end, even he felt his cheeks were a bit sore. [Gluttony] +29, [Dao Heart] +1 He moved his sore jaw slightly, wiped the corners of his mouth with a napkin, ending the prolonged "dinner," with a vague insight in his heart. The mouth... or rather, the human organ structure has become the bottleneck of [Gluttony]! If only he could, like a snake, unhinge his upper and lower jaws and swallow food larger than his own body size in one go... His wild imagination rolled in his mind for a few seconds, then Zhu Haomiao shook his head with a smile. The process of tasting food is an enjoyment in itself, why should I turn it into a tedious, monotonous gulp? Meanwhile, seeing the boy wipe the corners of his mouth, Wilson waved his hand, and the service staff immediately stepped forward to clear all the tableware. "I need to enter a deep sleep for a while, if anything happens, wake me at any time." "As you command." Returning to the master bedroom of the luxurious elegant suite, Zhu Haomiao found Diao Chan coiled under the pillow and gently poked its belly. Purr purr~ The faint purring sound, like that of a relaxed feline, rhythmically echoed, and Zhu Haomiao vaguely sensed that this little fellow was also undergoing a transformation in an incomprehensible manner! Knowing it was in good condition, the boy lay on the bed at ease, closed his eyes peacefully with the intermittent purring in his ears. The dream in deep sleep was bizarre and fantastical, and in the haze, Zhu Haomiao seemed to see a mysterious ancient mirror illuminating him. Through the refracted light of the mirror, his vision penetrated the barriers of matter, and his spirit also became clearer and brighter. The whole person was like that bright mirror, illuminating all directions! It seemed like ten thousand years had passed, or perhaps just an instant, Zhu Haomiao slowly opened his eyes as the surging tide of virtual memories flooded his mind, as if he had truly experienced decades of painstaking cultivation in a moment, with a profound spirit light blooming in his dark pupils! [Gale Force]: LV.5¡úLV.6 (Perfect) [Dexterity] +8 [God] +3 [Essence] +2 A golden rune suddenly formed on the [Book of Black], with supernatural power on the law level permeating the [Illusionary Page] and reflecting the same rune seed on the back''s [Reality Page]. He gently got out of bed, looked around, and then at himself, confused yet excitedly clenching his fist. Unlike other cultivation techniques'' physical changes after reaching perfection, [Gale Force] seemed to lean more towards the spirit and law levels! In the void, it felt as if the time and space within a dozen meters radius were all taken into his heart, reflected clearly in his mind. And if there''s any malice or killing intent directed at him, he can keenly perceive it from a great distance... Even... able to instinctively sense the impending fatal threat! S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Supernatural combat intuition! A professional term suddenly leapt into his mind, and Zhu Haomiao raised his brow, seeming to understand why top martial artists from China are known as the world''s hardest to kill people! They not only have attack and defense in one but also possess the supernatural combat instinct of [Golden Wind Unmoving, Cicada First Sense]! This is an extremely terrifying passive ability, even subtly involving fate level [foreknowledge], virtually eliminating the possibility of being ambushed! Moreover, it provides an inherent absolute advantage in close combat ¡ª predicting the opponent''s prediction! Looking around, Zhu Haomiao familiarized himself a bit with his newfound ability and his gaze shifted back to the [Book of Black]. [God]: 47¡ú52 (3)¡ü [Dexterity]: 42¡ú47 (8)¡ü [Strength]: 53¡ú58 [Essence]: 46¡ú51 [Qi]: 53¡ú58 (7)¡ü [Body]: 54¡ú59 (3)¡ü Not very satisfied, Zhu Haomiao slightly frowned and looked up into the void, sensing a more immense pressure from heaven and earth. In the void, a binding, oppressive, stifling sensation lingered around his soul. Chapter 167 - 167: Dominance Level In the early stages, the dual sealing digestion took more than ten days, and after returning, stacking [Deep Sleep] for another ten days, the six-dimensional attributes only increased by 5 points, and my growth speed has obviously slowed down! My existence is a burden to this world... This world is suppressing me! It doesn''t want me to continue expanding... With a sudden realization, Zhu Haomiao subconsciously lowered his head and saw a mysterious and elegant purple-gold glow in his eyes. Staring intently at the beautiful, shimmering purple-gold [Dragon Emblem], the boy''s mouth corners slowly and uncontrollably lifted into a smile. Purple Gold Dominance Level!! I have finally reached the pinnacle of this realm! Standing at the top of the food chain! After a brief excitement, Zhu Haomiao quickly calmed down and gently shook his head. The higher the rank, the larger the span even within the same energy level! A newcomer at the initial dominance level and a top-tier expert at the pinnacle of dominance are probably separated by a galaxy! I must not be arrogant, nor look down upon the heroes of the world! Suppressing the restless [Pride], Zhu Haomiao took a slow deep breath and suddenly remembered something, pulling out a golden badge engraved with an oak and a crown. I was in such a rush to come back for dinner that I forgot to return this to the committee... It seems that killing enemies and providing badges can also result in war contributions... Rubbing his chin, the boy turned back to glance at the still sleeping Diao Chan, casually ruffled it twice, and only then left with satisfaction. ......... Staring at the real-time changing triple holographic projection, Li Zhenxi paced anxiously and finally couldn''t help but look at Wang Hua. "What''s going on with him? Still no news?" Being stared down by a hegemony-level transcender, Wang Hua felt immense pressure, but on the surface, he still smiled forcedly and lightly said. "What''s the rush?" S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Hearing this, Li Zhenxi stepped forward and looked Wang Hua in the eye with a more pressuring gaze. "You said it yourself, as long as he attacks, everything will get better!" "But now it''s been a month, front lines everywhere are in urgent need, and he hasn''t made a move!" "Could it be... he''s scared?" Acutely aware of the curious glances from transcendents of other countries, Wang Hua tugged at his lips and snorted coldly. "Don''t try to provoke me, Junior Brother Zhu has his own ideas and doesn''t need others'' orders, mind your own contenders!" "You!" In South Korea, where hierarchy is clearly defined, Li Zhenxi had never been retorted by someone at the golden level, and she was so angry that her chest heaved violently. "Alright, Comrade Li Zhenxi, the actions of China''s contender are not ours to command." Seeing the atmosphere between them become tense, Cui Zhenyu hurriedly stepped in to mediate. Wang Hua himself was only a small golden, but he represented China''s will! Gently hinting for Li Zhenxi to recognize her position, once she calmed down, Cui Zhenyu then looked at Wang Hua and changed the topic. "But Comrade Wang Hua, you have to understand, we have all made strategic preparations for a full counterattack, but the horn for counterattack has yet to be sounded, not only have we wasted many opportunities, but we''ve also lost quite a few personnel..." Hearing this, the domination levels of other countries couldn''t help but nod slightly. Though they viewed themselves as subordinate, the head of your camp still needs to show some strength, right? You yourself announced the counterattack with flair! The big moves are coming! Yet he flopped, who would respect you in the future? Thinking this, a group of dominations subconsciously looked at a burly Slavic man like a bear, gesturing for him to say something. Seeing this, the Slavic man smiled and shook his head, implying. "I believe our Davorich can handle everything, just like the great victory they achieved decades ago." But this official tone did not dispel the doubts in everyone''s hearts, Wang Hua acutely sensed the faint resentment in the air and couldn''t help but inwardly complain. But he, a mere golden level, could not hold the scene in front of a group of dominations. Moreover, this time he was indeed at fault, and could only endure with frustration and swallow his anger. Just then, an employee wearing the [Dragon Emblem] rushed in in panic and whispered a few words to Wang Hua. "What?! He''s here?! Quick, bring him in!" Hearing the report, Wang Hua was suddenly elated, not noticing the slight tension in his subordinate''s expression. "Everyone, don''t worry, Junior Brother Zhu is here; I will personally confirm the next action plan with him!" With a wave of his hand, Wang Hua was high-spirited, with an unstoppable smile on his face. Seeing him so overflowing with confidence, all the hegemony-levels of other countries also relaxed their worries, smiling and nodding. As long as you are sure you can carry, delaying the counterattack by a few days is only a minor issue! However, upon seeing a handsome young man with an entirely different demeanor from last time, shining like a miniature sun, slowly walking into the hall, the smiles on everyone''s faces froze. The [Dragon Emblem] on his chest... why is it purple-gold? Everyone''s pupils slightly enlarged, frantically recalling the color of the [Dragon Emblem] during the last meeting. That''s right! The last meeting was a golden level, it''s been just a month... Ascended to dominance?! Various expletives rolled in everyone''s throats, but seeing the youth approaching with an aura of uncanny charm, eeriness, and majesty, everyone instinctively lowered their eyes, not daring to look directly at his eyes, as black as the abyss, devouring all light. "Senior Brother Wang, you... what''s wrong?" Noticing the scene''s atmosphere was a bit odd, Zhu Haomiao subconsciously lowered his head to glance, confirming his little chicken hadn''t exposed black feet. On the other hand, even though already accustomed to Zhu Haomiao''s rocket-like rise, Wang Hua still found it hard to accept that a black iron rookie of three years ago had turned to lofty dominance in the blink of an eye! He had personally witnessed Zhu Haomiao climbing to the peak step by step; that unsophisticated naive face seemed like just yesterday. In a trance, the intense sense of deprivation violently shook his [Dao Heart]. Jealousy, rage, hatred, and other negative emotions churned in his heart, as if something was stirring the evil deep within his soul! "The gap between people is sometimes larger than that between a person and a dog..." "He''s a special existence..." "Comparing yourself to him is self-torment..." "Even true immortals and gods reincarnated must bow before him..." The words of Feng Zhaobai suddenly appeared in his mind, making Wang Hua shiver all over and gasp for breath. I clearly already understood, why am I still caught in another illusion? Junior Brother Zhu''s progress is something I should be happy about! His eyes cleared, Wang Hua let out a long sigh of relief, showing a sincere smile from the heart. "Junior Brother Zhu, congratulations on your ascension to the dominance level!" Chapter 168 - 168: Heizi Speaks! (2K Monthly Vote Bonus) Understanding the strange atmosphere on-site, Zhu Haomiao glanced at his Purple Gold [Dragon Emblem] and nodded with a smile. "Hmm." Immediately, a thought crossed Wang Hua''s mind, and his mouth involuntarily curled into a crazy grin. Turning around, Wang Hua swiveled his neck to look around, his face showing unabashed smugness and pride. Speak, Blackie!!! After a brief shock, the dominion-level Transcendents with [Dao Heart] quickly regained their composure and offered polite smiles. "Congratulations." "Congratulations." "Congratulations." ... They were not only congratulating Zhu Haomiao but also Wang Hua, congratulating China on gaining another dominion-level Transcendent, the future [Human God]! "Thank you." Zhu Haomiao nodded humbly in response, but after losing the divine shield of dual [Pupation], the authority of various Original Sins was wantonly unleashed. No matter how genteel and polite his actions and words were, there was always a sense of superiority and a casual, bewitching charm in the eyes of others. Merely having the youth''s gaze sweep over them, women like Li Zhenxi, among other dominion-level Transcendents, involuntarily experienced an electric thrill. A tingling, numbing sensation surged like a current, making their scalps tingling and hearts race. The little brother looks so delicious! Licking their lips, some open-minded female dominion-level beings couldn''t suppress their bold thoughts. They didn''t have the courage to confront the [Abyss], but they had plenty of it to have an affair...a friendship with the [Abyss], and a lot of it! Without minding the pink miasma surging in the eyes of many female divines, Zhu Haomiao took out a golden badge and handed it to Wang Hua casually. "Senior Brother Wang, I killed a contender from Germany last time. Shouldn''t I turn the badge back to you?" "Hmm, killing is second only to capturing strategic points; it can earn you a large amount of contribution points at once. I''ll record it for you first." Taking the badge from the youth, Wang Hua brought the conversation back on track. "Junior Brother Zhu, about our previous plan..." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao scratched his head sheepishly. "I''m sorry, Senior Brother Wang, I suddenly felt the need to close myself off for cultivation for over ten days, but I''ll catch up on the previous progress quickly." S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Oh, don''t rush, just take it at your own pace. Your own breakthrough and growth are the most important!" Pattering Zhu Haomiao on the shoulder, Wang Hua no longer showed any anxiety, smiling calmly. "By the way, the frontlines have shifted dramatically recently; Old Shu might need your coordination. Let''s go and discuss it together." Turning around to greet, Wang Hua left with Zhu Haomiao triumphantly. As they left, the youth smiled and nodded to the gathered dominion forces, prompting everyone to give a solemn return salute. Not until they watched the two figures disappear deep into the corridor did everyone breathe a long sigh of relief, exchanging complex looks. "Turns out he was breaking through to dominion-level, no wonder it took so long." "Truly worthy of the [Abyss]..." "I heard he''s the one who entered the Illusion Realm as a Mortal, catching up with decades of our hard cultivation within just three years!" "But calculated in real-time, that''s only just over 3 months, right?" With these words, everyone fell silent once more. Advancing to dominion level in 3 months, is that disrespecting the fundamental laws of physics? It makes us seem quite foolish! Yet, in the midst of everyone''s low spirits, someone suddenly laughed. "So, who do you think is stronger, Him or those Holy Spirit reincarnates?" At this, everyone perked up, launching into enthusiastic discussions. "Surely the Holy Spirit reincarnates!" "Not necessarily, weren''t the Three Noble Sons of Japan just stomped to death by him?" "That was only because [Susano-o] hadn''t matured yet; once He enters a rapid growth phase, [Dragon''s Son] probably won''t withstand it." "Exactly, [Dragon''s Son] merely seized victory during the Holy Spirit''s weakest stage; it doesn''t mean He can continually suppress the Holy Spirit." "Remember, the most terrifying aspect of the Holy Spirit is their growth rate. We painstakingly cultivate and break through, yet they need only regain their own power!" "The only limitation on them is the material world''s capacity!" "[Abyss] may not be weaker than the Holy Spirit in divinity, position, or potential, but its growth is certainly a peg lower." As the crowd gradually reached a consensus, Cui Zhenyu couldn''t help but speak up in rebuttal. "You''ve all made valid points, but is there a possibility that [Dragon''s Son]''s growth rate doesn''t lose to the Holy Spirit, perhaps even...surpasses it?" Seeing everyone flinch and fall into contemplation, Cui Zhenyu continued softly. "To my knowledge, in this year''s [Ascension Competition], [Dragon''s Son] is the first to break through to dominion-level." "Even the Holy Spirits you all admire are stuck at the Golden Peak." "The gap between them may be small, but being ahead is still being ahead!" Upon hearing this, Li Zhenxi promptly retorted in dissatisfaction. "Pure energy level doesn''t represent the Holy Spirit''s actual combat power; they are all [Superpower Level] beings!" In response, Cui Zhenyu gave her a glance filled with pity for the dim-witted. "You''re talking as if [Dragon''s Son] isn''t also a [Superpower Level] being..." Li Zhenxi: "..." "Don''t forget, [Dragon''s Son] cultivates Chinese Martial Arts; practicing the Eight Basic Forces to a High Realm is terrifying, something I don''t need to elaborate on, right?" Recalling certain dreadful memories, each dominion-level Transcendent shivered, nodding with lingering fear. After a while, a burly Slavic giant pulled a self-deprecating grin. "All that we''ve said is but the conjectures of [Mortals]; only practice can test the truth!" Saying this, the Slavic giant looked at the massive three-dimensional holographic map, murmuring with a complex gaze. "Let''s wait and see, whether China''s son is stronger or each nation''s Holy Spirit will suppress this fledgling dragon..." ...... Boom! On the Peninsula Western Line, near Kaicheng, a violent explosion lifted dirt and rocks tens of meters high on a crucial strategic high ground, with the falling dirt and sand nearly burying the soldiers in the trenches alive. "Give the peach~~" "Ban-zai!!" Almost at the same time as the artillery fire covered the lines, hundreds of the locust army launched a banzai charge like a tide, pulling up scattered lines. "Ptooey ptooey ptooey!" Shaking off a thick layer of dirt from their bodies, a Qing Army squad leader shouted to those beside him. "Commander! The pirates'' artillery is too strong; we can''t hold it, let''s retreat!" A dirty-faced commander dug himself out from under the sand and yelled back, his throat raw. "What did you say?" Chapter 169 - 169: Im the Only Reinforcement "I said we can''t hold it, let''s retreat!" The explosions had shaken their eardrums. If the sound was even slightly softer, they wouldn''t hear it, even face-to-face. "No way! Lord Nalan issued a death order. We must hold this high ground! Reinforcements are coming soon!" "Damn it! Ten days ago, they said reinforcements were coming! Now more than half of our brothers are dead or wounded, and still no reinforcements!!" The Qing Army shouted with bloodshot eyes, staring fiercely into the commander''s eyes. If they weren''t part of the New Army personally trained and built by Nalan Shu, the ordinary Qing Army would have already collapsed at such a casualty rate! But even a well-trained New Army faces near-collapse in morale when confronted with relentless enemy artillery fire. Bullets screamed overhead. The commander looked around at his bloodied brothers, whose expectant eyes were on him. He couldn''t bring himself to give the order to hold on. However, desertion in battle... would mean execution! Just as the commander battled internally, a messenger ran along the trench, shouting excitedly. "Reinforcements are here! Reinforcements are here!!!" With those words, it was as if everyone was injected with adrenaline; their near-broken morale surged, suddenly feeling capable of fighting another three hundred rounds! "Where are they? Where are the reinforcements?!" The commander grabbed the messenger, asking with bloodshot eyes. "Right behind us! He came with me." The messenger pointed behind him, and following his gaze, the commander saw a strange figure, hooded and cloaked in a pitch-black cape, untouched by the battlefield''s grime, out of place with the combat atmosphere. "Are you the vanguard? Where is the main force of reinforcements?" The hooded figure raised his head slightly, revealing a beautiful, youthfully innocent face not resembling a mortal. "No main force, I am the only reinforcement." "What?!!" The unexpected words pierced his eardrums. Looking at the handsome youth who seemed unable to even truss a chicken, the commander sank to the ground, mumbling in despair. "It''s over..." But the youth opposite him merely smiled, his dark, profound eyes turning to the outside of the trench, looking at the sparse locust army charging uphill. "Don''t worry. It''s a small scene; I''m enough by myself." Without waiting for the commander''s response, the youth tapped the tip of his foot, leaping out of the trench, appearing to walk leisurely, yet swiftly, towards the enemy. "Prepare!" Seeing a figure jump out from the opposing trench, a locust army squad leader unhesitatingly gave the order, raising his military knife. Several seasoned soldiers around him promptly lay prone, pulling the bolts to aim. "Fire!!" Swish~ As the military knife swung down, several soldiers simultaneously pulled the trigger, scorching bullets leaving the barrel at supersonic speed, precisely targeting the figure hundreds of meters away. Bang bang bang~ Yet after a round of volley fire, the target continued to stride forward, seemingly unaffected. "What''s going on?" "The target paused just now. Our lead shots didn''t hit!" "Damn it! Again! Prepare!" Once more, the squad leader raised the military knife to command the snipers, but this time the target paused again, letting all bullets with lead shots miss their mark. On the other side of the battlefield, Zhu Haomiao followed the guidance of his Spiritual Sense, pacing forward with varying speed, evading all bullets aimed at him effortlessly. While testing the supernatural combat intuition of the Gale Force Perfect Realm, the youth involuntarily smirked as he arrived in front of the fiercest charging locust army. "Sine!!" Boom! The gunfire erupted. With less than five meters between them, the bullet arrived instantly, but Zhu Haomiao lightly sidestepped just before the trigger was pulled, allowing the bullet to harmlessly brush past a few centimeters before his chest. Swish~ The following bayonet strike hit nothing, as the two passed each other as if performing a routine, leaving the locust army member clutching his throat and kneeling, body convulsing and trembling. Fountain-like blood gushed uncontrollably between his fingers, quickly pooling into a puddle on the ground. Without looking back at the corpse, Zhu Haomiao discarded the mass of bloody flesh in his hand. Bloodthirst! Slaughter! Destruction! ...... A malicious, cruel gleam of bloodlust flashed in his eyes. The Original Sin long suppressed deep within his soul began to stir. Zhu Haomiao restrained his desire to slaughter. With seemingly leisurely yet swift strides, he easily penetrated a locust army member''s defense circle. At this range, the overly long rifle bayonet was nothing but a burden. In the enemy''s terrified gaze, the youth''s outstretched slender hand, with fingers carrying the Armor Breaking Power, inserted into his chest like a sharp sword, retrieving a warm, convulsing heart with ease. After tearing the connected blood vessels, the youth''s steps didn''t pause at all, as if casually picking an apple from a tree, he delightedly brought it to his nose to sniff. The sweet and savory scent of blood was intoxicating. Zhu Haomiao felt an inexplicable hunger, wanting to chew and swallow the heart he held. But after a moment''s hesitation, he suppressed the unusual, exhilarating desire and gently discarded the organ in his hand. Humans can''t, or at least shouldn''t, eat such things... [Book of Black]: Dao Heart +1 Zhu Haomiao: "??? Blinking with indescribable words, Zhu Haomiao unhesitatingly walked towards the next fortunate audience member, ignoring their screams and resistance before gently snapping their neck. In such a dangerous battlefield, I even left him with an intact corpse. I''m not some villain, so why the Dao Heart increase?! Without sparing a moment''s glance at the convulsing corpse behind him, aimless thoughts swirled chaotically in the youth''s mind as he carelessly roamed the battlefield, turning one well-trained locust army member after another into cold corpses. A few hundred meters away, an officer lowered his binoculars, angrily drawing his military knife. In just a few minutes, his company lost more than a dozen soldiers. If the skirmish line weren''t so widely scattered, that number would have multiplied several times! S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. If this continues, the front-line soldiers will be wiped out before even reaching the enemy''s position! Elsewhere, Zhu Haomiao, cosplaying the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, crushed a locust army member''s head, shaking off the brain matter on his hand when suddenly he heard a sharp roar. "Chinese bastard! Die!!!" Amidst the sharp glint of a blade, a sharp military knife descended from above, carrying the momentum to cleave the youth in half. In a flash of lightning and stone fire, Zhu Haomiao casually reached out, precisely grasping the enemy''s blade-wielding fist and lightly squeezing. Crack~ The Non-human Level Strength of 58 points poured out like a hydraulic press, crushing the opponent''s fist into mush. "Ahhhhhhhhh!!" Amidst the agonizing scream, Zhu Haomiao snatched away the katana, infused it with Inner Breath, and executed a reverse slash. Chapter 170 - 170: Human Cannon [Armor Breaking Power]! Swish~ The sharp and slender katana blade glinted with a cold light visible to the naked eye. A flash of a smooth, ultimate cutting sensation passed, and a grotesquely twisted head spiraled into the sky. Thud~ The headless corpse slowly knelt before the young man, the high-pressure carotid artery spraying blood nearly ten meters into the air, drenching the surrounding area in a fountain of blood rain. Hiss~ Bathed in the faint crimson mist, Zhu Haomiao closed his eyes and took a deep breath, savoring the sweet metallic scent in the air. Delicate blood pearls rained down like droplets, but were stopped centimeters away from his body by an invisible barrier, leaving not a single drop on the young man''s skin. Swish~ With a flourish of the katana, Zhu Haomiao stepped forward again. Bang bang bang~ Dense bullets whizzed past him like ghosts, as the lightning-fast black figure accelerated, flashing across the battlefield, slicing every locust army soldier in his path in half. "Aaaargh!" A locust army soldier, cut in half at the waist, let out a heart-wrenching scream. Another soldier was split vertically down the middle. "Monster!" "Demon!" "Stay away!" ... Witnessing their comrades'' gruesome deaths, even the well-trained locust army soldiers were mentally shattered, crying and fleeing backward. "Don''t run! Don''t run!!" The Supervision Team tried to maintain order, but the front-line soldiers, wishing for more legs to run faster, fled in panic, abandoning even their guns. At that moment, only one thought filled their minds, run! Escape from that terrifying murdering demon!! But watching the locust army soldiers flee over the hills, Zhu Haomiao was also momentarily stunned, with a phrase inexplicably flashing through his mind. "Even if you release 50,000 pigs, the Communist Army couldn''t catch them all in three days!" Forget 50,000 pigs, even with just a few hundred soldiers running all over the place, I don''t know how to chase them... Damn it! S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Could you guys group up a little, so it''s easier for me to strike? Forget it, just drive them towards the Central Army, break through and capture the strategic point... With a disdainful frown, Zhu Haomiao picked a direction and charged forward. Swish~ With one slice, the slowest soldier was cut diagonally in half, his frenzied figure suddenly "splitting," the upper half flying several meters while the lower half remained. "Aaah!!!!" The locust army soldier, clutching himself in his last moments, let out a heart-wrenching scream that echoed across the battlefield. This horrific scream, like a death sentence, made the hairs on every fleeing soldier''s body stand on end. None dared look back, scrambling, fleeing even more desperately. "Aaah!" "Yamete~" "Mercy!!" "Help me!!" ... The mourning cries from behind kept echoing, as if a beast was devouring each lagging comrade one by one. The terror of death nipping at their heels filled their minds, survival instinct replacing reason. No matter how the Supervision Team roared and bellowed, the tide of deserters overwhelmed them, flooding towards the safer rear of the Central Army. "Damn it!!" Seeing Zhu Haomiao single-handedly massacre hundreds of locust army soldiers, an officer with a mustache in the safer rear area set down his binoculars and ordered his attendants. "Suit me up!" "Yes!" Seven or eight burly attendants carried heavy armor pieces, stacking them on him as if assembling a mecha. Meanwhile, chasing fleeing soldiers like ducks, cutting them down like grass, Zhu Haomiao suddenly found the way clear, seeing groups of soldiers struggling to drag heavy artillery backward in the distance. Blinking, Zhu Haomiao realized he''d pierced through the frontlines, reaching the artillery zone at the locust army''s rear. Lightly spinning his katana, flicking off thick blood from its blade, Zhu Haomiao leisurely strolled over to a pile of discarded shells, inspecting one with curiosity. A diameter over 100mm was already considered heavy artillery in this era, but the English text on the shell made his eyebrows twitch slightly. Sure enough¡­ Other countries also have figures like Nalan Shu, secretly influencing the world''s trajectory, supporting Japan in waging war. No wonder the locust army''s weapons and equipment were disgustingly luxurious! Totally unmatched with their weak, impoverished national power¡­ At this thought, a slight emotion stirred in Zhu Haomiao''s heart. This was real-world geopolitical conflicts extending into the Illusion Realm¡­ Beneath the peaceful facade of the world''s order lay undercurrents of hidden struggles! In places unseen or unperceived by ordinary citizens, the clandestine battle lines have never ceased, merely more civilly and harmlessly packaged! Just like this [Ascension Competition]¡­ Realizing something, Zhu Haomiao weighed the shell in his hand, his gaze turning to the soldiers laboriously dragging artillery pieces. I wonder if I can detonate the fuse¡­ With a trace of curiosity, Zhu Haomiao tightened his grip on the shell, slowly storing power as if throwing a javelin. Swish~ The dozens of pound shell was thrown by human strength, turning into a streak of light, shooting straight into a distant cannon. Boom! The shell precisely hit the cannon, a terrifying fireball expanding instantly, its shockwave and flames engulfing over a dozen locust soldiers and mules, leaving only a twisted, deformed broken cannon. Seeing his "Human Cannon" work, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes brightened, grabbing another shell, storing power once more. Swish~ Boom!!! With a God attribute of 52, he could accurately lock on a target, while a Dexterity attribute of 47 allowed him detailed control over his body, ensuring perfect hits. The speed of the multi-ton artillery was negligible, appearing as stationary targets to Zhu Haomiao! Where his eyes went, his hand followed, the shell followed! Boom! Boom! Boom! Like discovering a new toy, Zhu Haomiao picked out the cannons in his sight one by one, in less than a minute, over a hundred locust army soldiers perished under his "shelling." So fun¡­ This is way more efficient than killing individually! The crimson desire to kill rolled in the young man''s pupils, an unconscious ferocious grin on his handsome jade-like face, giving him a sinister, eerie contradiction. "Beast! Stop it!" Just as Zhu Haomiao was enjoying himself, a thunderous shout erupted beside his ear. Chapter 171 - 171: Holy Spirit Descending Turning his head, he saw a giant wearing a ghost mask and clad in strange Japanese traditional armor rushing towards him at great speed. A katana, over a meter long, trailed a dazzling "Flowing Light Belt" by his side. Carefully scrutinizing the opponent''s peculiar armor with a hint of sci-fi aura, Zhu Haomiao recalled a certain Brittania officer and curved his lips with interest. Swish~ He hurled the shell he held as a Dark Weapon, the terrifying strength instantaneously accelerating the shell to its limit, appearing before the armored giant in a flash. Yamamoto Seiji''s pupils contracted fiercely, raising his sword and striking, the katana''s blade accurately deflected the shell horizontally. Boom! The shell brushed past Yamamoto Seiji, landing not far behind him with a violent explosion of light and shockwave. Using the powerful force of the shockwave behind him, Yamamoto Seiji accelerated his charge, advancing towards the enemy with irresistible momentum. "Die, you wretch!!" The katana, over a meter long, cleaved down with a chilling gleam, but Zhu Haomiao neither dodged nor evaded. He infused his Inner Breath into the army knife, striking back head-on. Seeing the enemy''s reckless act, Yamamoto Seiji under the ghostly armor grinned sinisterly, channeling his full strength, slashing down fiercely. Foolish Chinese! How could mere flesh and blood compete in strength with the Magic Armor?! Clang! The frosty blade edges collided fiercely, erupting in a mass of bright sparks. Amidst the piercing clash of metal, the point of contact became the epicenter, with a naked-eye visible shockwave suddenly spreading out, forming a ball-shaped white mist dome that expanded to over ten meters before dissipating. Rumble~ Amidst the flying sand and stones, Yamamoto Seiji''s eyelid twitched. The anticipated scene of slicing the opponent and blade in half didn''t appear; instead, the recoil that passed even through the buffer of the Magic Armor made his tiger''s mouth numb. In a daze, he felt like he wasn''t clashing with mere flesh and blood, but confronting another Magic Armor head-on instead! On the other side, feeling an overwhelming unstoppable force pouring into his army knife, Zhu Haomiao, well-prepared, did not resist hard; instead, he leapt backward with the force, seeming to be flung into the air like he had been struck into the air, bouncing back. Though he flung the enemy dozens of meters with a single slash, Yamamoto Seiji felt no joy, but an ominous premonition surged in his heart. Because he knew his strength hadn''t truly landed; the enemy merely retreated with the flow, widening the distance, and was not even injured! To withstand a full-powered strike from the Magic Armor completely unharmed with mere flesh and blood¡­ What kind of monster is this? For a moment, he recalled the rumors of the Holy Spirit Descending¡­ As the core force of the Imperial Army, he had even encountered some "Abnormal People" with bizarre powers. The strongest among them could withstand the Magic Armor head-on with mere flesh and blood, not falling behind! And the boy before him was so similar to those people¡­ The same youth, the same peculiar style, the same incomprehensible, the same frightening¡­ On the other side, Zhu Haomiao traced an arc in the air, shedding all the force, landing lightly on the ground like a feather. Lifting the army knife in his hand, a thumb-sized notch appeared on the blade, and even with the Armor Breaking Power''s enhancement, the weapon forged of ordinary iron couldn''t withstand the clash. Blinking his eyes, the boy thoughtfully looked ahead, where, tens of meters away, a towering and burly armored giant stood like a small mountain blocking his path. Only at this distance did the difference in size between the two parties become apparent to others. The burly armored giant was more than two meters tall, estimated to be nearly two and a half meters! Zhu Haomiao''s height reached only to his opponent''s chest, with a width only about one third! Purely from size, they simply weren''t in the same league! However, after the probing strike just now, Zhu Haomiao was fully confident of crushing him. The deep, dark pupils shimmered faintly, an indistinct sound of the sea released from the boy''s body, concentric circles of semi-transparent ripples distorted the air, spreading like ripples. Stacked Waves Strength! Against ordinary locust armies, his damage was completely overkill, so he hadn''t used the Extraordinary Authority that enhanced his strength. But when faced with the iron clod blocking his way, he could finally be slightly serious. Discarding the nearly broken katana, Zhu Haomiao revealed a sinister smile of hunting delight, slowly drawing a gorgeous and lustrous Eight-sided Han Sword from his waist. Hope you can make it worthwhile for me¡­ Gale Force! Swish~ The tall and slender figure vanished from the spot without any warning, and tens of meters away, Yamamoto Seiji felt a stabbing pain between his brows, only detecting a remnant shadow abruptly appearing by his side. Instant step?!! No, he didn''t make any move to store power at all! In the blink of an eye, he didn''t have time to think, his body instinctively reacted, raising his sword to protect himself. Clang! S~ea??h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. A bright spark exploded in mid-air, the instinctive defense blocked the enemy''s attack, but the terrifying force that followed made his eyes widen in disbelief. Boom! The giant, weighing more than a ton with armor, was knocked sideways as if struck by heavy artillery, rolling and scraping along the ground, leaving a trench over ten meters long. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao watched with interest as the enemy bounced and rolled on the ground, pacing leisurely to keep up. After such close contact, he realized that the enemy''s actual physique wasn''t as massive as it appeared. The armor covering him, rather than being armor, was more like a Mecha! Within it housed a complex and mysterious transcendent structure, seemingly belonging to a unique supernatural power of this dimension! I wonder if a descender could wear it? If I can''t operate a Gundam, piloting such a small Mecha could still be fun¡­ The fleeting miscellaneous thoughts passed from his mind, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a moment, then sighed with regret. It seems unlikely, this thing seems to be a product of the fusion of science and the Mysterious Side, not like Li Cang''s Golden Sacred Armor. Unless it''s a Transcendent from a Mecha System, other system Transcendents probably couldn''t be compatible. While Zhu Haomiao pondered how to operate a Gundam, Yamamoto Seiji recovered from the intense impact, looking at the youth approaching step by step with his treasure sword held diagonally, fear gripping him. Like tidal waves, pressure pounded his soul wave after wave, Yamamoto Seiji couldn''t understand why such overbearing power capable of crushing the Magic Armor resided in what appeared to be a slender weak shell! Even those "Abnormal People" could only resist the Magic Armor for a short time; he hadn''t seen anyone flip the Magic Armor with a single strike! Could it be¡­ China also has the Holy Spirit Descending?! Turmoil and shock raged in his heart, Yamamoto Seiji fiercely bit his tongue, suppressing all fear to the depths of his heart, reviving his fighting spirit. Chapter 172 - 172: You Can Call Me [Little Boy] Powerful energy circulated within, and the numbed muscles swiftly regained their strength. The massive Ghost-faced Giant stood tall, adopting a defensive stance, watching the approaching young warrior as if facing a formidable foe. The pitch-black cloak fluttered gently behind the youth, whose impossibly handsome face wore an infuriatingly smug smile that made one''s blood pressure rise. Though barely reaching his chest in height, the youth''s casual and disdainful gaze felt like looking down on an amusing insect from the nine heavens above. Suppressing his anger and irritation, Yamamoto Seiji scanned the battlefield with the corner of his eye, searching for any chance of survival while stalling for time and waiting for reinforcements. "Chinese, what''s your name?" "You can call me ''Little Boy.'' "Huh??" "Or ''Fat Man'' works too." "..." Noticing the other''s confusion, Zhu Haomiao sighed indifferently. Foolish natives, unable to grasp my humor~ With a light tap of his toes, the slender figure vanished again. This time, Yamamoto Seiji, fully alert, caught sight of his enemy''s track and swung his sword with full force. However, the moment he struck, the enemy seemed to foresee his move, abruptly pausing his action, causing his swing to miss entirely and making him feel so frustrated he wanted to spit blood. Even more terrifying, his failed attack left his entire side exposed to the enemy''s blade without defense. Swish~ The gentle sword light brushed past like a breeze, and Yamamoto Seiji, using all his might, twisted his body, meeting the enemy''s attack with the thickest part of his shoulder armor. Screech~ A piercing friction sound erupted as the Eight-sided Han Sword traced a brilliant spark across the heavy armor. Intentionally reducing his force to test the Level 3 ''Armor Breaking Power'' cutting ability, Zhu Haomiao felt an unprecedented resistance from the sword hilt. As expected... this mecha must be constructed with some kind of Extraordinary Alloy, inherently possessing the supernatural power to resist cuts! Gazing at the deep sword mark on the opponent''s shoulder, Zhu Haomiao squinted thoughtfully. In front of him, Yamamoto Seiji was almost scared out of his wits. Could it be that he''s holding ''Heavenly Cluster Cloud'' in his hand?!! He could feel that the opponent hadn''t exerted much force at all, relying solely on the treasure sword''s cutting ability to almost penetrate the shoulder armor! That armor area is nearly ten centimeters thick! Subconsciously, Yamamoto Seiji used his elbow like a blade, fiercely striking at Zhu Haomiao, attempting to push him away. Yet the youth neither dodged nor evaded, lifting his fair fist and throwing a straightforward punch. Boom! The white fist colliding with the heavy armor exploded with an ear-deafening, low roar. At one centimeter from the fist''s surface, a transparent Gang Qi membrane suddenly shattered, the metallic sheen of the fist firmly imprinting on the elbow armor, creating a clear punch mark in the several centimeters thick Extraordinary Alloy. Squeak! In a spine-chilling sound of metal deformation, the brutal force penetrated the Magic Armor, Yamamoto Seiji''s eyes widened like copper bells, spitting blood, his elbow twisting into a reverse joint shape and crashing into his ribs at a grotesque angle. "Ugh..." Clenching his teeth against the intense pain, Yamamoto Seiji gripped the sword single-handedly, reversing his hand to drive back his enemy. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao voluntarily retreated several meters, looking at his skinned fist with dissatisfaction. Even with the ''Heavenly Gang Power'' boost, the Perfect Realm of ''Hard Qi Skill'' still falls short of genuine Extraordinary Alloy; indeed, the flesh and blood body has its limits... But upon reflection, Zhu Haomiao quickly accepted it. The cultivation technique''s Extraordinary Power is merely an amplifier; the real foundation lies in the basic Six-dimensional Attributes! The stronger the Six-dimensional Attributes, the more terrifying the manifestation of the cultivation technique! And currently, his ''Body'' attribute is only 59 points. If in the future it exceeds 100 points, combined with the Perfect Realm of ''Hard Qi Skill,'' perhaps he could truly achieve the ''Iron Body''! sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Moreover, ''Heavenly Gang Power'' is only at the Mastery Realm, its current effect quite ordinary, unable to showcase the true horror of the Basic Force. Once ''Heavenly Gang Power'' reaches the Perfect Realm, even just the Protective Gang Qi alone might be enough to drive the enemy to despair... These thoughts flashed through his mind. Zhu Haomiao activated his Inner Breath, repairing the broken Gang Qi membrane on his fist, restoring it to its complete state. After testing various cultivation techniques in normal conditions and feeling the spirit power consume like a floodgate opened, the youth''s black pupils flickered with light as he squinted thoughtfully. The authority of ''Pride'' allows him to ''Turn the impossible into possible''! However, creating ''Miracles'' requires a price, with the difficulty of Dual Power Fusion being low, so the price is merely the doubling of ''Divine Power'' consumption. Yet each additional Basic Force exponentially increases the difficulty of the ''Miracle.'' Correspondingly, the ''Divine Power'' consumption also rises exponentially! ''Stacked Waves Strength,'' ''Gale Force,'' ''Armor Breaking Power,'' ''Heavenly Gang Power''... When simultaneously activating four Basic Forces, even his high 52 points of ''Divine Power'' felt strained. If he were to activate ''Storage Explosion,'' the Five Forces Combined consumption would severely hinder his endurance in battle. In future trivial battles with natives, it''s best to keep it restrained, with Dual Power Fusion or Three Forces Combined being most cost-effective, while exceeding four basic forces would sharply decrease cost-efficiency. Only when facing a formidable descender, or a Destiny Monster among the natives, would he need to exert his full strength. In general cases, the ''economy mode'' is more ''fuel-efficient.'' With an imperceptible nod, Zhu Haomiao lifted his eyes, gazing at the not-far-away armored giant in high alert. The opponent''s broken, twisted arm hung at his side, wielding a sword single-handedly, warily adopting a defensive stance, not taking his eyes off him. Vaguely, the youth sensed his inner fear and despair. Seeing such a high-quality punching bag, Zhu Haomiao contemplated for a few seconds, sheathing his sword, wiggling his fingers, and slowly and grimly clenching his fist. Snap, crackle~ The crisp sound of popping knuckles was like fireworks exploding. Zhu Haomiao smoothly stretched his limbs, fully activating his two Basic Forces with the highest realm. ''Stacked Waves Strength''! ''Gale Force''! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~ The faintly discernible sound of ocean waves echoed endlessly, a subtle worldly might enveloping a dozen meters, wave upon wave of invisible Raging Wave impacting the spirit, nearly breaking the already overly strained Yamamoto Seiji. He instinctively wanted to turn and flee, but reason told him that the enemy''s speed was beyond imagination; with his heavy Magic Armor, he couldn''t escape at all! Only by standing firm and waiting for reinforcements could he have a fighting chance! Biting down hard on his tongue, fear was suppressed by intense pain. Yamamoto Seiji took a deep breath, fixing his gaze on the approaching sinister youth. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao carefully contemplated the Law Authority of both cultivation techniques following their achievement of Perfection. Chapter 173 - 173: My Treat Compared to the apparent material-level anomaly of the [Stacked Waves Strength], the Law Authority of the [Gale Force] is more restrained. Not only has it gained passive supernatural combat intuition, but it can also reduce air resistance when moving at high speed. As his [Dexterity] attribute continued to enhance, he increasingly realized the power of this Law Authority. One must know, when speed reaches a certain level, the air, which originally seemed non-existent, becomes as sticky as glue, making it difficult to move even an inch. For instance, high-speed trains exceeding 300 km/h can have air resistance account for over 80% of the train''s travel resistance! The human body clearly doesn''t have the same excellent aerodynamic design as a high-speed train. When moving fast, wind resistance can even account for more than 90%! But the Authority of the [Gale Force] can weaken air resistance at the conceptual level, truly allowing for swift movement like a gale! With a thought, Zhu Haomiao lightly pressed his toes against the ground and disappeared without a trace, instantly appearing beside the armored giant. The fully concentrated Yamamoto Seiji vaguely caught his trajectory, but his dull body couldn''t react in time, and he could only watch helplessly as the enemy''s fist imprinted on his ribs. Boom! A circle of bowl-shaped white mist exploded at the point of impact on the armored fist. Even with the buffer of the Magic Armor, the brutal force still penetrated muscles and bones, instantly bursting the capillaries of his internal organs, causing massive internal bleeding. "Ugh~" Yamamoto Seiji spat out a mouthful of dark blood, his immense body lifted into the air from the impact. However, before he could react, the enemy by his side suddenly disappeared, instant teleporting to the direction in which he was tumbling backwards. Twisting waist, turning hips, whipping legs... mid-air spinning kick! Woo woo woo~ The swinging long leg was like a giant axe slicing through the air, producing a shrill low hum akin to a train whistle. The attack hadn''t even landed yet, but the deafening sound of air rupture made Yamamoto Seiji''s liver and gall shiver in fear. Yet, suspended in mid-air, he couldn''t resist at all and could only try his best to adjust his posture, using the thick rear armor to absorb the impact. Thud! It sounded like a siege hammer striking a solid iron block. The muffled explosion echoed through the clouds, and the several-centimeter-thick alloy armor was dented with a huge indentation, with the twisted armor intruding into the body, breaking ribs and piercing into the chest cavity. Boom! The armored giant, launched into the air, reflected with even greater speed back, yet again along the path appeared a cruel and ruthless shadow. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! ... The phantom-like figure flashed back and forth, treating the over-one-ton armored giant like a tennis ball, relentlessly striking it mid-air. The continuous muffled explosions spread across a radius of over ten miles, sounding like heavy artillery firing repeatedly from a distance. Suspended in mid-air, Yamamoto Seiji had no chance to touch the ground. In just over ten seconds, his prized Magic Armor was smashed to pieces, completely twisted and deformed. Whew~ Releasing his desire for destruction in one breath, Zhu Haomiao delivered a final kick, sending him crashing back to the ground, creating a huge human-shaped crater. With his feet touching the ground as lightly as feathers, the boy looked at the enemy lying embedded in the ground, already beyond recognition, and nonchalantly licked his lips. So weak¡­ The review isn''t as good as Little Britain! "Heh~" Yamamoto Seiji, whose ghost mask had long been smashed, looked dazedly at the boy gazing down at him. Blood mixed with crushed organs leaked from the corners of his mouth. With all his bones shattered and internal organs pulverized into pulp, Yamamoto Seiji stared deathly at the boy, seemingly trying to carve his image into his soul. "Chinese, I''ll wait for you in Hell." In a burst of energy before dying, Yamamoto Seiji forced a fierce and terrifying smile. However, upon hearing his harmless curse, Zhu Haomiao blinked in confusion, hesitant to speak. After a moment''s hesitation, he decided it wasn''t worth explaining to a dead man and smiled warmly while nodding gently. "Alright, contact me when you arrive, I''ll host." Listening to the boy''s irrelevant words, the ferocious, vengeful smile on Yamamoto Seiji''s face gradually stiffened and then disappeared little by little. For a moment, it seemed like he understood something, and a cold dread from the soul surged through him. Yet before he could comprehend it, the last burst of energy ebbed away, tumultuous flesh and blood gushed from his mouth, and his bloodshot pupils dilated bit by bit, vision quickly blurring into darkness. Watching as life left his foe, Zhu Haomiao lifted his steps and walked carelessly past him, pacing rhythmically yet swiftly deeper into the battlefield. Having pierced through the locust army''s defenses, the next target is the strategic point guarded by the descenders! And this time, it''s a medium-sized strategic point, defended by at least a Golden Team, rich in nutrition, and whose protein content is unknown times that of beef... Smacking his lips in anticipation, Zhu Haomiao hummed a light and cheerful tune, a bloodthirsty glint sparked deep in his eyes. As if on instinct, he quickened his pace, the dark silhouette racing unwaveringly towards the target, even too lazy to harvest the solitary locust army soldiers fleeing along the way. In the face of the impending "feast," such "appetizers" held no allure! A few minutes later, a small hill over 200 meters high guarding the transportation artery came into view. Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up slightly, and he accelerated once more. However, as soon as he reached the foot of the hill, the locust army guarding the area noticed his figure and sharply demanded across the distance. "Which company are you from?" "Wait! Stop!" "Halt immediately, no approach allowed!" "Dammit! It''s the enemy! Open fire!" Bang bang bang~ Dense bullets showered down like rain within a few meters. Zhu Haomiao pushed off his toes, flickering ghost-like several meters to the side, zigzagging in a Z-shape while maintaining speed towards the enemy. Bang bang bang bang bang~ The relentless bullets intermittently interrupted the boy''s advance. Zhu Haomiao weaved and dodged like a ground-skimming snake, swiftly closing the distance with erratic S-shaped movements. Within an instant, he covered over a hundred meters, unsheathing his treasure sword with a bloodthirsty sneer and charging into the trench, roaring excitedly at the locust army soldiers wearing expressions of terror. "Itadakimasu! (Let''s eat)" "?????!!!!!" "Nishi nai!" "Aaaah!!! You''re attacking your own!" "Stop shooting, use bayonets!" S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Block him!" "Awoooo! It''s a demon!" ...... Like a tiger among sheep, Zhu Haomiao rampaged through the trench, with severed limbs flying all about, and shattered viscera and body fragments scattering everywhere. It was like when he found a "Holy Sword" (a stick) in a rapeseed field as a child, swinging wildly. The fragile human bodies offered a satisfyingly smooth cutting sensation, just like the lush rapeseed back then, splattering shards and juices all around. In just a few minutes, the entire trench was cleared, nearly a hundred locust army soldiers reduced to over a thousand pieces, scattered evenly throughout the trench. Chapter 174 - 174: Mini Zaku The nauseating yellow liquid mixed with crimson blood, creating a cruel tableau reminiscent of a Hell Ukiyo-e. Gently twirling the sword, shedding the blood from its blade, Zhu Haomiao did not turn back to admire the hellish scene he had created. Instead, he lifted his eyes to gaze at the mountain top not far away. He vaguely felt as if someone was watching him. Whoosh~ A sudden sharp pain pierced his forehead. Instinctively, he tilted his head to dodge, and a scorching armor-piercing bullet grazed his ear, sparking a blinding trail of fire as it scraped against his Protective Gang Qi. Boom! The missed armor-piercing bullet exploded nearby, engulfing Zhu Haomiao in a fireball akin to a small artillery shell. The heat and blast wave surged forward, but were halted just centimeters away from his body, only stirring half-transparent ripples in his Protective Gang Qi. The violent turmoil caused the Protective Gang Qi to waver, yet the LV.3 Heavenly Gang Power managed to block the explosion damage. After the brief smoke and flames cleared, the handsome young boy emerged unscathed before the eyes of the world. Feeling something in his heart, Zhu Haomiao lifted his head to gaze afar, his sight piercing hundreds of meters to spot an almost sesame-seed-sized black dot. Hundreds of meters away, a beautiful girl lying prone on the mountain top, holding a sci-fi sniper rifle, subtly tightened her pupils. Through the high-magnification optical scope, it seemed as though she locked eyes with the boy from afar, a sudden chill creeping up her back. "Tell the Vanguard and Tank to be careful! That guy''s not normal!" Before the voice even fell, the Vanguard, holding a submachine gun and clad in streamlined sci-fi armor, already engaged. Dense bullets poured over the enemy like a deluge, sealing all escape routes within a few meters. Yet the bullet-hit enemy suddenly turned incorporeal and disappeared, crossing dozens of meters in an instant to appear right in front of the Vanguard. The battle perception system in the helmet frantically issued warnings. Realizing that he only hit the enemy''s afterimage, the Vanguard unhesitatingly tossed a grenade while swiftly propelling himself backward with a double-footed kick. Boom! A dazzling white light burst forth like a mini sun. Though Zhu Haomiao had already closed his eyes, the high-energy rays still pierced through his eyelids, leaving his vision a pure white and momentarily blinding him. The terrifying explosion sound vibrated the eardrums; after the deafening roar, the entire world plunged into dead silence, with only a sharp continuous ringing echoing in his ears few seconds later. Eaten point-blank by a Shock Bomb, even Zhu Haomiao''s physique found it hard to bear. He stood in place, swaying, shaking his head vigorously. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the Vanguard propelled himself dozens of meters away in an instant, cold sweat streaming down his back. Just now, he had a premonition that if he got entangled with the opponent, he probably wouldn''t last a few seconds! The enemy''s speed was too terrifying, appearing in front of him in an instant with no sign of initiating a charge! Even though the optical perception system captured the opponent''s movement, his nerves almost couldn''t react in time! What was even more terrifying was that he faced a Superpower Shock Bomb right up close, something enough to instantly knock out an ordinary Transcendent, but he still managed to keep his balance standing. His physique was simply beast-class! After a short scare, the Vanguard unhesitatingly raised the electromagnetic submachine gun in his hands, firing pea-sized bullets at multiple times the speed of sound, raining them down on the enemy. Can''t let him catch his breath! Whoosh~ The boy moving laterally with his eyes closed dodged a dozen meters, the bullets exploding into a spray of dirt and stones at his heels on the ground. Entirely relying on supernatural combat instincts, he dodged all attacks within mere seconds. Zhu Haomiao''s senses gradually returned, and he reopened his eyes. But just as he opened them, he saw a nearly three-meter-tall steel giant charging toward him at high speed. Thud, thud, thud~ Each step left a deep crater in the ground, and even from a distance, the ground trembled slightly beneath his feet. Just seeing this formation made one feel the steel giant''s charge was unstoppable. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. What the hell is this? Am I not in the nineteenth century? How did mini-Zaku come out? Seeing the opponent''s sci-fi armor clearly surpassing the era, Zhu Haomiao furrowed his brows in confusion. There was no time to think deeply. The steel giant''s two six-barrel Fire God Cannons on its shoulders began to slowly rotate, spewing out meter-long tongues of fire, and the scorching bullets transformed into two "Red Light Whips" lashing across his path. The afterimage left behind was torn to shreds. Zhu Haomiao ducked low, flying close to the ground in an S-shaped trajectory, the continuous "Red Light Whips" striking the earth along with his path, sending up two lines of fountain-like sand and dust. Within a few seconds, Zhu Haomiao dodged left and right, crossing a long distance, rushing up to the steel giant as swift as a specter. When he got within ten meters, the part of the steel giant''s faceplate where its eyes were glowed a red light, raising an arm to reveal a pitch-black cannon muzzle over ten centimeters in diameter. A sharp pain lanced through Zhu Haomiao''s forehead, his pupils slightly contracting. Instead of retreating, he advanced, maneuvering into the cannon''s side below with an unphysical move and Flashing! Boom! The over 100mm cannon muzzle erupted, spewing out meter-long flames, thousands of pellets blanketing a fan-shaped area like a wall, shredding everything within the kill radius. Yet Zhu Haomiao just happened to charge into the cannon''s dead angle, unabashedly raising his sword to slice upwards. [Armor Breaking Power]! [Stacked Waves Strength]! Screech~ The sharp Eight-sided Han Sword burst into blinding sparks on the armpit armor, tearing a deep sword scar. The massive power sent the several-ton steel giant skyward, nearly toppling it to the ground. Finally regaining its footing, the sluggish steel giant hadn''t even reacted before Zhu Haomiao, gripping his sword with both hands, twisted his waist and hips, and struck mightily once more! A keen sword light carved a full arc, precisely cleaving through the previous sword scar. "Break!" Screech~ A thick steel arm was lopped off at the shoulder, sparking arcs at the wound. Amidst it flowed human blood, at times vaguely revealing slender white bony edges. "Aaaahhh!!" The intense pain drove the mecha "driver" to let out a heartbreaking scream. Hearing those cries like a little girl''s wails, Zhu Haomiao''s lips curled into a twisted smile. Following the indistinct voice source, Zhu Haomiao generally pinpointed the "driver''s" head position, lightly tapped with his toes, jumped onto the mecha''s shoulder, reverse-gripped the long sword with both hands, lifted it high, then fiercely stabbed downward! Screech~ The sword tip precisely stabbed through the armor''s gap, tearing through all protections, and plunged hilt-deep into the mecha''s chest, then twisted cruelly left and right. The little girl''s pitiful screams stopped abruptly, the huge steel giant went rigid on the spot, and seconds later, it thudded onto its knees, engulfed in deathly quiet. Screech~ Drawing out the treasure sword, Zhu Haomiao observed the half-blood-soaked blade with delight, curling his lips in satisfaction, taking a deep breath. [Jealousy] +100, [Sloth] +100, [Pride] +300 Chapter 175 - 175, Super-sensitive Martial Artist The sinuous aura undetectable by others emanated from the steel giant''s body, inhaled like a column of smoke into the boy''s nostrils. "Ha~" Closing his eyes in ecstasy, the boy couldn''t help but let out a moan, reveling in the satisfaction and joy surging from the depths of his soul. "Cheryl!" In the blink of an eye, the battlefield situation underwent a drastic change. The vanguard beside them cried out in sorrow, not even having time to provide support, as the defensive powerhouse of the team, the [Tank], was easily slaughtered by the enemy. An unimaginable destructive power, a speed difficult to capture with the naked eye... The most terrifying thing is, from the moment of contact until now, they hadn''t even touched the enemy''s hem! The overwhelming strength displayed by the enemy couldn''t help but instill a trace of despair. After a momentary fear, the anger of losing his comrade surged in the vanguard''s heart. Instinctively, he wanted to rush up and fight desperately, but a command from the captain came through his helmet. "The enemy is a Super-sensitive Warrior who has practiced [Gale Force] to its peak, come back quickly! Facing him alone is suicide!" Super-sensitive Warrior! Upon hearing this nightmare-inducing name, the vanguard instantly calmed down, gritting his teeth as he glanced at the steel giant kneeling on the ground, retreating backwards towards the mountain. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao enjoyed the lingering pleasure, utterly indifferent to the enemy''s escape. Only after several seconds did he contentedly exhale a turbid breath, opening his eyes to gaze at the small mountain beside him. Swish~ The upright figure on the steel giant''s corpse suddenly disappeared, transforming into a black stream of light shooting towards the mountain peak. "Vanguard! Be careful!" The exclamation of a teammate rang in his earpiece, the vanguard gritting his teeth as he watched the enemy rapidly advancing. "I can''t escape now, cover me!" Having said that, he kneeled half on the ground, pressing the rifle butt against his shoulder, and took a deep breath. Hoo~ Forcibly suppressing the tension and despair, his heartbeat slowed, and the tremble in his fingertips completely subsided. The vanguard''s trembling pupils gradually became as calm as a still well, knowing he had only one chance to pull the trigger; success meant survival! "Switch shooting mode - [Helium Flash]!" "Activate auto-aim!" "Initiate overload output!" ... The system''s restrictions unraveled one by one, no longer concerned with the frame''s capacity. A stream of energy manifested like flowing light on the slim-fitting armor, the overwhelming surge of energy pooling into the sci-fi electromagnetic weapon in his hand. Crackle~ Amidst the heavy sound of electricity, the long rifle wriggled and deformed, the barrel lengthening and widening, as the depths of the gun chamber radiated a dazzling high-energy blue light. Mysteriously sensing the fatal threat from all directions, Zhu Haomiao, swiftly charging, slightly furrowed his sword brows while the immense energy brewing within his Dantian suddenly released. [Storage Explosion]! Boom! The figure that the reticle gradually locked onto suddenly vanished from sight, even the optical aiming system losing the target in an instant. In that flash, covering fire from teammates from behind bombarded the original location, excavating dense craters, yet the vanguard''s finger couldn''t squeeze the trigger. Because he had lost the target! And when he once again captured the enemy''s trajectory, all that was visible was a magnificent sword light flashing before his eyes, and out of the corner of his eye, he barely saw a shadow brushing past. The next second, his viewpoint soared up, his gaze rotating 360 degrees, seeing a familiar headless body kneeling on the ground, still maintaining the aiming pose. Is this the Chinese Super Sensitive Martial Artist? I couldn''t even fire the last shot... A wry thought passed through his mind, then, pain and darkness engulfed his consciousness, his fierce pupils rapidly dilating, becoming hollow and unfocused. Bang~ The fully enclosed helmet-clad head fell at his feet, after a momentary burst, Zhu Haomiao paced, adjusting his breathing, the intense feeling of weakness quickly fading, energy flowing through his meridians once more, his limbs gradually regaining strength. [Anger] +200, [Greed] +200, [Jealousy] +100 Hoo~ The boy stood there exhaling a turbid breath, the invisible original sin aura blending into his body like a swallow returning to the forest, bringing a soul-devouring pleasurable sensation. In just a few breaths, he recovered about eighty or ninety percent of his combat power, Zhu Haomiao looked up at the vaguely visible enemy atop the mountain, compressing his inner breath once more, infusing it into his Dantian. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the [Body] attribute grew, he bore the burden of [Storage Explosion] more easily. Coupled with the [Essence] attribute as high as 51 points, his Qi Recovery ability reached a non-human level, within mere seconds, the stinging meridians completely recovered, and the once-empty Dantian teemed with endless inner breath, drastically reducing the cooldown time of [Storage Explosion]. Nonetheless, Zhu Haomiao also knew, this was because [Storage Explosion] was still at the Small Success realm, once cultivated to Great Perfection, a single burst would likely drain him dry, with Qi Recovery time correspondingly prolonged. However, at that time, his full-strength attack would undoubtedly be astonishingly mighty! Who will be the lucky audience to push me to the limit... A hint of yearning flickered within his eyes, Zhu Haomiao began to move, urging [Big Toad Qi] for accelerated breathing, seeming slow yet rapid as he sprinted towards the mountain peak. On the other side, apparently realizing that long-range sniping couldn''t hit the target, the enemy at the mountain top no longer recklessly fired, but patiently waited for the boy to approach. When Zhu Haomiao reached the mountain peak''s position, what met his eyes was a sci-fi tactical squad arrayed in combat formation, on high alert. Each of them wore full-cover armor, either slender and elegant, or tall and robust, seeming out of place with the "local" environment of the 19th century. Blinking his eyes, Zhu Haomiao admired their dashing armor, not in a hurry to launch an attack. On the other side, a girl with an open visor, revealing a beautiful face, stepped out from the crowd, staring at Zhu Haomiao''s eyes unblinkingly. "Captain of the United States Constellation Tactical Squad, Muriel Frankel." Hearing the self-introduction, the boy smiled slightly, twirled his sword elegantly, placing a hand over his chest in a courteous gesture. "Zhonghua Zhu Haomiao." Though the action was polite, the constellation team felt a sense of scorn, as if he were not facing a threatening group of enemies, but a bunch of ants overreaching themselves! When had these Heaven''s Chosen Sons ever suffered such contempt, glaring at Zhu Haomiao furiously. On the other side, noticing the innate contempt of the enemy, Muriel Frankel squinted, her gaze subtly sweeping over his featureless black cloak, seemingly curious if he wore the [Dragon Emblem] underneath. Is the enemy even more monstrous than the records of the Chinese Super Sensitive Martial Artists, is he truly a contender of the same age in the [Ascension Competition] as me? This combat prowess defies logic! Could it be some old monster cheating their way in? Rumor has it, China possesses certain marvelous cultivation techniques that can restore youth... Chapter 176 - 176: Chinese Martial God But looking at Zhu Haomiao''s features that were even more immature than his own, and that unhideable sense of youthfulness, Muriel Frankel had no choice but to give up the wishful thinking. If there was really any cheating, the organizing committee would have intervened long ago... I''ve heard that there are quite a few monsters in the Shanghai district; maybe he''s one of them. Deeply remembering the name Zhu Haomiao, Muriel Frankel''s mind moved, and the open visor closed automatically, with two slender red lights shining from the eyes. "The mobile squad teams around several strategic points will be here soon! Hold on!" Issuing a command over the internal channel, Muriel Frankel''s mechanical wings unfolded from her back, with vector nozzles at the wingtips shooting out sword-shaped flames as she soared straight into the sky like a rocket. "Run, damn it!" Seeing this pesky fly again, Zhu Haomiao got anxious, leaping forward in a single step, trying to knock her down. Yet at that moment, the synchronized Constellation Team unleashed a volley of shots, forcing Zhu Haomiao to dodge swiftly. Bang, bang, bang~ After the intense gunfire, Zhu Haomiao could only watch as Muriel Frankel ascended to a high altitude, lifting her over two-meter long sci-fi sniper rifle to aim at him. In an instant, a prickling sense of danger enveloped his brows, and narrowing his eyes, Zhu Haomiao slowly shifted his gaze towards the group of fools on the ground. If I can''t deal with the one flying in the sky, can I not deal with you earthbound ones?! Die! Swoosh~ Like a phantom, his figure suddenly vanished, appearing without warning among the squad, as the sword''s edge, shrouded in a bitter cold light, gleamed, slashing towards an unresponsive team member. At the critical moment, a warrior in streamlined fitted armor stepped up, meeting the sword with his blade, as the high-frequency oscillating blade clashed fiercely with the Eight-sided Han Sword. Crackle, crackle, crackle~~~ The high-frequency particle oscillation blade and the sword edge rubbed violently, sparking dazzling fire. But after a momentary stalemate, the unreasonable brute force slashed the warrior away, smashing him like swatting a fly. He flew back out at a speed even faster than when he came, turning into a straight line piercing the hardened ground, blasting out a huge human-shaped crater. However, with this one hindrance, the original unfortunate guy had already reacted, taking the opportunity to distance himself and throwing a familiar grenade at Zhu Haomiao. Shock bomb! Having just taken one in the face, Zhu Haomiao vividly remembered this grenade, unhesitatingly raising his cloak and turning to shield his eyes. Boom! Even facing away from the explosion, Zhu Haomiao, hidden under the cloak, still "saw" a flash of white light, the world suddenly quietened, and a high-pitched ringing echoed in his eardrums. As the white light faded, the youth opened his eyes without hesitation, transforming into a streak of black light in the face of incoming bullets, darting towards the warrior he had just knocked away. "You dare!!" The remaining team members, seeing this scene, became enraged and adjusted their gun muzzles, trying to lock the trajectory of his advance with anticipatory aim. Yet in the face of this rain of bullets, Zhu Haomiao stopped thinking, giving himself completely to his supernatural combat instincts, miraculously dodging every bullet and charging towards the enemy struggling to rise. Raising his long sword high, Zhu Haomiao was about to decapitate him when a stabbing pain shot through his brows, instinctively tilting his head to dodge. Boom! The armor-piercing bullet descending from the high sky exploded into a several-meters-high dirt "fountain" beside him, the light and shockwaves of the explosion causing near-invisible ripples to undulate a few centimeters around him. Side-glancing at the "fly" in the sky, Zhu Haomiao mercilessly swung his sword down, as the warrior beneath mustered all his strength to raise his blade in defense, only to be smashed down to the ground, spewing blood from his mouth. "Hank!" In the desperate cries of the other team members, Zhu Haomiao swung his sword down again, and this time, Hank, unable to even lift his hand, could only watch as the cold sword light descended upon his neck. Screech~ The flexible armor protecting the neck snapped with a sound, and a well-shaped head spiraled skyward, bathed in a fountain of blood rain, as the entirely black-clad youth slowly turned around, revealing a wickedly terrifying smile. [Anger] +300, [Pride] +200 A delightful thrill like electricity surged through his nerves, causing Zhu Haomiao to instinctively curl his lips, and though his face was as handsome as jade, it seemed to the onlookers like a monster crawling out of Hell, grinning to reveal ferocious tusks. A chilling cold seeped into their minds from the depths of their souls, like frogs eyed by a venomous snake, freezing everyone in place with bodies as rigid as stone. And in mid-air, due to the distance, Muriel Frankel felt less mental pressure and managed to stay rational, but the analysis results from the combat assistance AI sank her heart into an icy pit. "Enemy target''s supernatural feature analysis complete." "China [Super-sensitive Warrior] supernatural feature code overlap rate 99%." "China [Divine Power Warrior] supernatural feature code overlap rate 98%." Both [Super-sensitive] and [Divine Power]? The position said to be the world''s strongest warrior class actually appeared in the First Layer Heaven?!! What kind of incredible luck did I have to encounter such a level of monster? What terrified Muriel Frankel even more was the subsequent analysis results. "[Gale] supernatural feature code overlap rate 99%, threat level: SSS." Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "[Stacked Waves] supernatural feature code overlap rate 99%, threat level: SSS." "[Storage Explosion] supernatural feature code overlap rate 63%, threat level: SS." "[Armor Breaking Power] supernatural feature code overlap rate 52%, threat level: A." "[Heavenly Gang Power] supernatural feature code overlap rate 87%, threat level: A." "Comprehensive energy level evaluation of the target: SSS-level." "Our side''s victory probability evaluation: 0.032%." "Combat suggestion: Non-resistance, withdraw quickly, call for our hegemony." Seeing the system identifying a total of five basic force''s supernatural features, Muriel Frankel momentarily blacked out, vaguely questioning her own existence. As she saw the enemy''s comprehensive energy level evaluation reach SSS-level, her heart even skipped a beat. Hegemony level! Simultaneously using more than three basic forces! Is this the legendary [Chinese Martial God]? Wasn''t such a monster only supposed to mature at the Middle Heavenly Position or even High Sky Rank? Why is it appearing in the First Layer Heaven?! Even more astoundingly, this guy is an Ascension Competition contestant of the same age as me! Panic and fear rolled incessantly in her heart, but before Muriel Frankel could think of a countermeasure, the brutal slaughter on the ground had already escalated into a fevered pitch in an instant. The bleak and beautiful sword light flashed mid-air, the two nearest team members were effortlessly decapitated. Their heads, flying into the air, still bore expressions of fear from their final moments, while the flexible neck armor melted from the brutal force''s slicing friction, and the severed section glowed with high-temperature red light. Chapter 177 - 177: Main Course The death of their two comrades jolted the remaining team members from their psychological oppression, and they frantically moved their stiff bodies, shooting at Zhu Haomiao like madmen to vent their inner fear and anger. "Ahhhhh! Fxxx you!!" "Son of a bitch!" "Come on! Bastard!" Dadadadada~~ A dense metallic storm covered an area of dozens of meters. However, before they could pull the trigger, Zhu Haomiao had already shot forward like a black flash, foresightly catapulting into their midst. Dadada~ Bullets chasing his silhouette hit their own men along the way. Even with armor protection, a few unlucky ones trembled violently on the spot. "Precise shooting! Melee combat! Stop firing blindly!!" Mid-air, Muriel Frankel issued a stern reprimand on the internal channel, stopping her team members from their foolish actions. But she also knew that the team members had to express and suppress their inner fear, or they''d collapse from within without the enemy''s help! In her anxiety, she could only silently pray for reinforcements from the surrounding strategic points to arrive soon! Otherwise, relying solely on her constellation tactical team, they couldn''t hold out for long! Damn it! Why did such an oversized monster appear in the First Layer Heaven?!! Clenching her silver teeth, Muriel Frankel cleared her mind, locking onto the erratically moving dark silhouette on the ground with her spiritual power. Bang! An inch-long armor-piercing bullet descended from the sky, causing Zhu Haomiao, who was about to slay an enemy, to sidestep, the arc of his sword light noticeably skewed and paused. It was just this momentary obstruction that allowed the otherwise unreactive enemy to raise his gun defensively, only for the thick alloy gun body to be cleaved in half on the spot. Boom! Like a small explosive shell, an explosion erupted beside him, sending up a fountain of dirt. The fortunate one who escaped death decisively threw away his broken gun and jumped back. Zhu Haomiao let out a barely perceptible sneer, carving a Z with the Eight-sided Han Sword in his hand, relentlessly pursuing his enemy like a shadow. The floating enemy in mid-air couldn''t make a large-angle maneuver and could only shift his head as much as possible, trying to dodge the thrust. However, the sword blade flickering with a cold light traced a beautifully refined arc, accurately hitting his shifted head. The thin facial armor was penetrated like butter, the long sword piercing through his brow, penetrating the cranial cavity, and emerging from the back of his head. [Jealousy] +100, [Anger] +300 S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Shh~ Withdrawing his treasure sword, Zhu Haomiao deftly flicked it, shaking off the brain matter stuck on it, and exhaled with a smile. Absolute power, ultimate speed, a bullet-time-like neural response... In his eyes, the enemy''s actions seemed like slow motion; there was no need for any fancy moves, as the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. A simple thrust could easily kill them! In the darkness, Zhu Haomiao sensed a realm of returning to the basics. "Fxck!!" In the sky, seeing her sniper shot fail to save her comrade, Muriel Frankel couldn''t help but scream a frustrated roar, her bloodshot eyes unable to suppress growing anger and fear. In just a few minutes, more than half of her Golden Team was lost, yet the enemy remained unscathed! Under damnable Heavenly Gang Power protection, he didn''t even have a speck of dirt on him, looking immaculate as if he hadn''t been through a brutal battle but was rather like a noble dancing at a banquet! Except his dance partners were the severed limbs and splattered blood and brain matter of her team... Watching that elegant, evil, and cruel shadow on the ground, Muriel Frankel gritted her teeth in agony. This could no longer be called a battle; it was a one-sided slaughter! Even though she was mentally prepared, knowing there''d be a brutal life-and-death fight with the Dragons'' descenders, she didn''t expect it to be as cruel as this! Just as Muriel Frankel began to despair, a burly black shadow charged into the battlefield. A giant shield, over two meters high, like a thick city wall, the heavily armored figure merged with the shield, fearlessly charging toward Zhu Haomiao like a cannonball. Zhu Haomiao, who was about to cut down the struggling enemy under his sword, glanced at the incoming Alloy Giant Shield, without stopping his hand, just clenched his other fist, and punched out. Thump! A spherical shockwave suddenly exploded, and the terrifying ultra-pressure ripple spread instantly, causing even Muriel Frankel in mid-air to be shaken, wobbling left and right, finally stabilizing her stance with difficulty. On the ground, Zhu Haomiao''s figure swayed slightly, with his long sword in hand deflected a little, the sword stance initially aimed at severing the neck forcibly sliced the opponent''s upper body at an angle into two halves. On the other side, the warrior who collided with the shield braced himself, but the ferocious, brutal force blasted him uncontrollably backward, his legs gouging two deep furrows into the ground, sliding ten meters back before coming to a halt. The unstoppable force shook his arms painfully numb, his bones creaked, and his internal organs felt faintly injured, leaving a metallic taste in his throat. Stepping away from the giant shield, the heavy-armored warrior looked at the handsome youth standing in place with reverence. His all-out shield strike charge hadn''t saved his comrades, and yet a hasty punch from the enemy sent him flying back ten meters! Within that seemingly slender shell, a force more brutal than a dragon was hidden! Swallowing the blood rising in his throat, the heavy-armored warrior glanced at the twitching corpses on the ground, respectfully addressing the formidable foe. "Odin''s warrior, Frost Shield Sigurd Holmby greets you." Elsewhere, Zhu Haomiao looked at the thin layer of frost on his slightly scratched fist''s blade, nodding at Sigurd with intrigue. "China, Zhu Haomiao." Having spoken, Zhu Haomiao slightly turned his head, looking at the figures appearing around him, his smile unfurling. The appetizers aren''t even finished, and the main course and dessert are already here... How can this be acceptable? "Brittania, White Tower Wizard Nasimento Newman." "Italy, Holy Knight Ambel Braun." "Bolan, Druid Maris Farmor." The four led their Golden Teams, surrounding Zhu Haomiao completely. Even knowing a chaotic battle was about to ensue, both sides followed the basic etiquette of the Ascension Competition, introducing their names and exchanging formalities. After the pretentious courtesies, Zhu Haomiao looked around, tightening his grip on the long sword in his hand, eagerly pursing his lips. With the formalities over, it''s time to feast! Elsewhere, sensing that Zhu Haomiao showed no sense of being besieged, only the thrill of the hunt in his gaze, the newly arrived reinforcements all felt a sudden bad omen welling up in their hearts. Chapter 178 - 178: Slightly Excited Their gazes wandered over the ground littered with limbs and bodies, and several captains frowned deeply. The Constellation Team wasn''t adept at close combat, but they wouldn''t be slaughtered like this by a single person, would they? Moreover, there wasn''t even a scratch on the enemy! Even a group of rabbits would bite their enemy once before dying, right? The next second, a warning from above answered the questions in their minds. "Be careful, this guy is a Martial God-level descender! A monster fused with Super Sensitive and Divine Power!" "??!!!" Martial God? Super Sensitive? Divine Power? Fusion? These terms flickered through their minds, and everyone watched the beautiful young boy, poised to strike, their pupils trembling wildly. Basking in their frightened, aghast gazes, Zhu Haomiao blinked and smiled bashfully. "Can we start now?" "Uh..." Still immersed in shocked disbelief, everyone instinctively wanted to speak, but the boy across from them couldn''t wait to wield his sword. "I''m gonna begin now." "Wait..." Swish~ Before the words were out, the boy''s dark figure suddenly vanished from sight, reappearing dozens of meters away beside a surviving Constellation Warrior. "Guard!" An egg-shaped, semi-transparent Holy Light barrier manifested in front of him. Zhu Haomiao''s eyes flickered, and he swung his longsword down with greater force, unleashing a tidal surge of sound. Bam! The Guard Barrier, capable of withstanding a full-powered attack from a Golden Transcendent, shattered at once, and the remaining force from the blade struck the blocking spear, causing the Constellation Warrior to kneel on the ground, spitting blood. Having failed to kill the enemy with one strike, Zhu Haomiao slightly turned his head, dodging the bullets being fired, and lifted his sword to strike again. In a flash, a terrible roar erupted by his ear. "Du Deke Xi!" Despite the obscure language, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes suddenly brimmed with terrifying crimson bloodlight as the original sin of Anger deep within was triggered, momentarily losing control. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unhesitatingly abandoning the enemy he could have easily killed, Zhu Haomiao turned to face the huge shield charging at him, with high-temperature red light resembling spider webs emanating from his sinister eyes. Swish~ The ethereal Spiritual Power materialized into the longsword, a brilliant red sword light akin to lava burst forth and cleaved down amidst everyone''s frightful stares. Anger! Storage Explosion! Boom! A blood-red shockwave exploded instantly, with deafening roars roaring into the sky, flattening the entire mountain peak with one sword swing. Terrifying high-pressure waves swept across the world, causing everyone within a dozen meters to vomit blood and fly backward. The closest Constellation Warrior was left with shattered bones, and a massive amount of blood mixed with organ fragments spewed from his mouth, like a water bag burst by a stomping foot. Rumble~ Amidst the earth-shaking explosion, Zhu Haomiao took a slow and long deep breath, the high-temperature red light twisting and writhing in his pupils gradually subsiding, replaced by clear spirit light. Sigh~ Exhaling a mouthful of turbid air, Zhu Haomiao fully regained his composure, gazing in astonishment at the grotesque figure of flesh and steel twisted together not far away. The giant alloy shield had been completely twisted into a braid shape, embedded into various parts of the body along with the heavy armor. Looking at the miserable state of the figure, Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips with a speechless expression. He must have used something like a Taunt ability just now, yet ordinary Transcendents would only bash their heads open in anger against his giant shield... But within me, the original sin of Anger is suppressed, and once provoked... Tsk tsk~ Don''t blame me, I initially intended to leave you a whole corpse. Glancing around, witnessing the exaggerated destructive impact, Zhu Haomiao vaguely realized that Anger at LV.7 had crossed a certain threshold, experiencing a qualitative change since his last release! Should I test it out? Slightly narrowing his eyes, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a few seconds and decided against the daring idea. Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Just a bunch of ordinary descenders. Under normal conditions, his combat power was sufficient, albeit a bit slow in slaughtering. With thoughts swirling in his mind, Zhu Haomiao looked around, observing the ash-faced, stunned individuals, and smiled apologetically, nodding. "Sorry, got a little excited." "......" Gazing at the scene, obliterated as if hit by a small nuclear bomb, with the entire mountain top and fortifications gone, everyone fell silent. This is what you call just a little excited?!! Yet they weren''t given any time to collect themselves. With an Essence attribute of 51, complemented by the Perfect Realm Big Toad Qi, Zhu Haomiao recovered from the post-burst weakness in just a few breaths, as limitless energy surged through his meridians once again. "Let''s continue." Swish~ The dark figure disappeared abruptly, pouncing towards a brown-haired boy in a robe. "Roar!" Yet, just as Zhu Haomiao thought he could effortlessly slay the boy, the brown-haired boy let out a beast-like roar, his body swelling and transforming instantly. Black fur with an oily sheen erupted all over, turning into a three-meter-tall bear standing on its hind legs. Sigh~ A massive bear paw swung down through the air, with curved claws as sharp as daggers, aiming straight for Zhu Haomiao''s face. On the other side, looking at the incoming massive bear paw, an inexplicable silly thought flashed through Zhu Haomiao''s mind. This thing would taste great braised... Following his subconscious thought, a fierce arc of sword light was drawn, effortlessly severing the two plump bear paws. "Aoo aoo aoo aoo aoo!" The bear''s two front paws were severed at the wrists, spurting blood from its bare forelimbs, causing it to wail in agony. Yet Zhu Haomiao leaped forward into its embrace, with cold sword light ascending to the sky, the sword tip pierced through the bear''s jaw, piercing its skull, and emerging through the top of its head, silencing it instantly. Screech~ Withdrawing his sword, Zhu Haomiao stepped back three feet, the massive black bear collapsed at his feet, with blood gushing from beneath its head. Greed +200, Lust +100, Jealousy +100 While absorbing the original sin mist, he pondered seriously whether the bear''s paws could be eaten, but before Zhu Haomiao could put the bold idea into practice, the dead black bear writhed and transformed back into the form of the brown-haired youth. Glancing at the human hand that had also returned to its original state on the ground, Zhu Haomiao regretfully pursed his lips. No bear paws to eat... But as the boy sighed in regret, numerous thick, gnarled tree roots burst from the ground, entangling his ankles like tentacles, spiraling up his calves. "I''ve controlled him, focus fire quickly!" Gurgle gurgle gurgle~ Zhu Haomiao struggled to lift his foot but found that these roots were extremely tough, stretching several times yet still tightly bound to his feet. Slice~ The sword light flashed, severing the roots binding his legs, and Zhu Haomiao escaped at the last moment. Chapter 179 - 179: Dual-Polar Martial God Boom boom boom! The place that was just standing moments ago was instantly overwhelmed by a barrage of ranged attacks, shredding the corpse of the brown-haired boy to pieces. While moving at high speed, Zhu Haomiao''s gaze darted around and quickly locked onto a figure half-kneeling on the ground with hands dug into the soil. His arms from the elbows down had turned into tree trunks, expanding downward with gnarled, writhing roots that twisted like living creatures beneath his feet. Recalling their brief contact earlier, Zhu Haomiao gained some insight. Borrowing the extraordinary spell of Earth Power, the roots had weak resistance to cuts but astonishing tensile strength! Once entangled, even he found it difficult to break free with brute force, unless he activated [Anger]... No, this thing''s pretty disgusting, better deal with him first... Following his instincts, Zhu Haomiao transformed into a streak of black light charging straight at the "wooden man," slicing in half any warrior who dared to block his path with a single strike. Without any unnecessary flashy moves, Zhu Haomiao simply pushed [Stacked Waves Strength] and [Armor Breaking Power] to their limits. The 58 points of [Strength] attribute, magnified by [Stacked Waves Strength] and sharpened by [Armor Breaking Power], exhibited terrifying destructive power that was unstoppable. Ordinary Golden Level warriors seemed like nothing more than pathetic chickens and dogs in his eyes. One swing of his sword would easily shatter their bodies and weapons into fragments. "Ah!" Accompanying a blood-curdling scream, there was nothing left along the path but a pile of twitching human debris. Surging forward with a bloody wind to face the "wooden man," and seeing his terrified attempt to pull his hands from the earth, Zhu Haomiao wore a sinister smile. No wonder they say magic ranks heavily rely on teammates'' protection early on... Once rooted, there''s no quick cancel to this thing after all... Sure enough, large range crowd control skills must have their weaknesses... Besides, this spell is more suitable against heavy armored warriors; his movement speed is too fast, his roots can''t keep up with him at all! Having identified the enemy''s weakness, Zhu Haomiao mercilessly stabbed and slashed, sending a razor-sharp sword beam slicing towards the opponent''s neck. In a flash, the "wooden man" gritted his teeth hard, the exposed skin rapidly turned wooden, with the weathered and coarse bark glowing with a faint metallic sheen, indicating strong defensive power at a glance. However, what seemed like formidable defense did not yield ideal results; Zhu Haomiao merely felt a slight resistance, then a woodenized head went spinning into the sky. [Sloth]+100, [Jealousy]+200, [Greed]+300 "Maris!!" Watching the gruesome head spiraling into the heavens, a few companions cried out in anguish. Yet there was no time to mourn for their friend. The shadow of death loomed before them, effortlessly crushing their futile resistance, sending them to reunite with their friend. In just a few swift and deadly moves, Zhu Haomiao carved through the enemy lines like a demon, shredding any obstacle that dared to impede him. ......... "Is this the true power of the [Dragon''s Son]?" At the Pyongyang command center, hundreds of kilometers away, dominions from various nations watched the black-clad boy ruthlessly slaughter through the holographic projection, their hearts felt like turbulent waves were crashing. On one hand, they were thrilled by the formidable strength displayed by their camp''s leader. On the other hand, they felt conflict within their hearts. This power is too overwhelming!! Not wanting the leader to struggle but also not wanting the leader to outshine... If you handle everything by yourself, what are we supposed to do? Just for show? Everyone exchanged glances with bitter and complex expressions, noticing the absence of the key figure, they couldn''t help but whisper among themselves. "Where''s Wang Hua?" "He seems to be organizing and coordinating the Qing Army''s movements." "As expected, he wasn''t wrong; as soon as the [Dragon''s Son] launches an attack, everything gets better." "But I didn''t expect him to be this absurdly strong. Did you see the analysis of the Extraordinary Law? He''s using five types of Basic Force at the same time!" "I saw, two of which even grasped Taoist Rhythm!" "[Stacked Waves¡¤Tidal Wave Realm], [Gale¡¤Spirit Rhinoceros Realm], he actually mastered to the peak the two most fundamental and important Basic Forces simultaneously, a perfect Extraordinary Warrior." "At a Hegemony Level, using three or more Basic Forces simultaneously, with at least one Basic Force comprehending Taoist Rhythm, hmm... it''s definitely a [Martial God]." "Not just an ordinary [Martial God], but a [Dual-Polar Martial God] who masters two martial arts laws!" "A [Dual-Polar Martial God] at the First Layer Heaven, just thinking about it is thrilling, Old America has its work cut out this time." Hearing this, everyone couldn''t help but feel a bit of schadenfreude. Such a monster is painful to have as an enemy, but on our side... hmm... truly delightful! In stark contrast to the Northern command center, at the Han City command center, observing the overwhelmingly dominant beautiful youth rampaging in the three-dimensional holographic image, dominions from various nations wore expressions of agony. A burly blonde man with a purple gold badge slammed the table fiercely, feeling heartache that made it hard to breathe. Norway only has a population of just over 5 million, and they managed to gather a team of under-18 geniuses with much difficulty, cherished like treasures! Each one is the hope of the whole village! And the result? They were mercilessly slaughtered without pity by a monster wearing human skin!! With such a brutal blow, contenders with weaker [Dao Heart] might even develop heart demons, spiraling down into death! Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Thinking of an entire generation of elites being crushed, the blonde man felt even more sorrowful and angry, glaring angrily at a youth beside him wearing a shield-shaped white-headed eagle badge. "I told you we couldn''t let an [Abyss] into the U18 competition, this is a massacre! It''s unfair!!!" Upon hearing this, other nations'' dominions couldn''t help but add their voices. "Too brutal!" "Letting a bunch of kids face an [Abyss] is complete disregard for life!" "Exactly, they''re just a bunch of kids!" "We joined the [Ascension Competition] to exchange and improve with young talents from all countries, not to be killed by monsters!!" Bolan, a small nation with a sparse population, felt heartbroken watching the potential future of its children being torn to shreds. "We need to disqualify It from the competition!" "It shouldn''t appear in this level of competition!" On the other side, listening to the complaints of allies, watching their own constellation tactical squad being slaughtered, the youth wearing the shield-shaped white-headed eagle badge sighed helplessly. "Calm down, [Ascension Competition] has already entered the third stage. If we try to disqualify It now, China will surely exercise its veto power." With that said, the youth shifted his tone, soothing softly. "No one expected there would be an [Abyss] meeting the participation requirements; future competitions will block this bug, prohibiting [Abyss] participation." Saying this, the youth couldn''t help but let out a weary sigh. Chapter 180 - 180: That is a War Belonging to God! The [Abyss] is mostly constituted of indescribable, uncontrollable anomalies or entities twisted beyond comprehension. Who would have thought an [Abyss] exists that could meet the requirements for the U18 Ascension Competition! Human, at least it looks human... Juvenile, at least it seems under eighteen... Controllable, at least it seems China can control it... This sort of extreme anomaly that''s hard to come by, even the organizing committee couldn''t predict it after racking their brains! As he sighed in exhaustion, a young man wearing the Purple Gold Three Lions Badge looked at the corpses of his contenders scattered everywhere, frowning slightly. At least Brittania still has nearly 70 million of its home population, so this loss is bearable. The key is that the enemy''s growth speed made his scalp tingle with fear! In a daze, he recalled a few years ago when he was on the Yangtze River with his sister, locking eyes with the other from afar. Back then, the youth''s appearance left a deep impression on him, with a vague premonition that the other might just be the legendary [Dragon''s Son]. A few virtual years later, his premonition came true, the [Abyss] bared its fangs, swelling to an incomprehensible extent! Today, the Black Iron [Dragon Emblem] on the other''s chest back then has probably turned the same Purple Gold as his! Alas~ His advice to Tia was still too conservative. If possible, it''s best to find a way for her to voluntarily withdraw from the competition. From here on... mortals no longer have the right to intervene... This is a war belonging to Gods! Thinking of this, Blake glanced at the US Traitor colleague next to him, with a deepened brow, and spoke in a heavy voice. "The last time [Dragon''s Son] appeared in the public eye was at the Silver Level, and within just two years, he''s evolved to this extent." "In the First Layer Heaven, he is already unsolvable. [Human] contenders facing him is a death sentence. Only by asking the Holy Spirit to act can he be suppressed. I have notified Mr. Gabriel." "Tommy, what do you have to say?" Upon hearing Blake emphasize the pronunciation of ''human'', Tommy Perez shook his head helplessly: "Mr. Michael said he has no intention of intervening in mortal disputes." Upon hearing this, Blake couldn''t help but massage his aching brow in anguish. Michael''s attitude most likely represents all the Blazing Angels, and Mr. Gabriel will probably also refuse to intervene. If they stay aloof, who will stop this [Abyss]? After pondering for a few seconds, an idea suddenly sparked in Blake''s mind. "What about the Three Noble Sons of Japan?" "Susano has been humiliated by [Dragon''s Son] and must be eager for revenge!" "Him?" Tommy Perez was slightly taken aback, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "Can the Holy Spirits of such a small country truly contend with the [Abyss]? They have been killed once before..." "If one isn''t enough, then use two, if two are not enough, bring in three, let them all come!" Upon hearing this, Tommy Perez decisively shook his head. "With the pride of the Holy Spirits, unless it involves a battle of faith and authority, how could they possibly agree to outnumber the opponent?" "Moreover, I cannot command these transcendent beings, I can only apply indirect pressure through the Japan Government." Hearing this, Blake gritted his teeth. "Theoretically speaking, this is a war between the Qing Country and Japan, surely we can''t be fighting at the front while they sit back and reap the spoils?" And following Blake''s reminder, a thought struck Tommy Perez. He has long known Japan to be outwardly obedient, while in reality always wanting to break free from the chains of the US Traitor, treacherous to the core! Do they truly have some hidden agenda, looking to stab our benevolent father in the back? Despicable! This ungrateful bunch of ingrates! Clenching his fists, Tommy Perez nodded grudgingly. "I will pressure the Japan Government, forcing their hand!" ......... As the discussions heated in the main camps of both sides, on the battlefield near the frontline, the Manager led a group of still-combat-capable Qing Army soldiers, cautiously advancing forward. "Damn it, how many people has he killed along the way?" Even kicking aside a severed limb, a veteran accustomed to blood and gore couldn''t help but feel a chill down his spine. "A single man storming the front, overwhelming the pirate forces into a complete rout, I originally thought such events only happened in storybooks." "Indeed, I never thought I''d witness such a legendary individual firsthand." "When he said he was the only reinforcement, I thought we were done for!" ...... Listening to his subordinates'' discussions, the Manager at the forefront suddenly turned around, giving a dissatisfied reprimand. "Stay alert, if the pirates launch a counterattack, all of us will be finished!" Upon the Manager''s reprimand, the group of soldiers slightly restrained their lax and careless demeanor, and carefully proceeded forward in a loose formation. After a dozen or so minutes, a relatively flat artillery position came into view, where sporadic piles of shells could still be seen, left behind in haste. Further off, twisted metal debris spread out to the ends of their vision. "One, two, three, four, five¡­ Damn it, at least thirteen heavy cannons! Where did the pirates get so much money to buy these Western cannons? What a pity¡­" Picking up a shell from the ground and glancing at the metal wreckage in the distance, the Manager sighed both in amazement and heartache. These Western cannons are fine things, a hundred times more advanced than their home-produced Amstrong Cannon. If they could seize them, their fallen comrades wouldn''t have died in vain... "Manager, there are still some pirates alive here!" The soldiers spread out and found a few lucky ones knocked unconscious by the shockwave, immediately returning to inquire. "Manager, how should we handle them?" "We don''t have the time to escort them back¡­" After a few seconds of pondering, the Manager''s eyes flashed coldly. Without a word, he signaled across his throat with his thumb. "Heh~" The dusty soldiers chuckled honestly, giving a thumbs-up and rolled up their sleeves to get down to it. "Manager, come quickly, there''s a pirate General here!" The sudden call made the Manager''s eyes light up, prompting him to follow the voice to find a mangled body embedded into the ground, twisted beyond recognition. "Tch, it looks like he was trampled to death alive by ten thousand elephants!" Upon inspecting the armored corpse, they found the twisted and deformed metal had fused with the flesh, forcing them to abandon any bold ideas. "Ghost Armor, it''s quite an old model, probably not a General." "I heard the pirates downgraded their old model of Magic Armor, this could be a Major level officer." "A Major¡­ still a high-ranking officer!" "Although we didn''t kill him, we should at least gain a bit of merit." S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "There''s bound to be merit! Come, let''s sever his head." After carefully examining the body, it took a considerable effort for a few men to sever the jammed neck, carrying the head along with delight as they continued forward. Walking another dozen miles, a dull explosion erupted ahead, causing everyone to shrink their necks involuntarily. Chapter 181 - 181: Awaiting Death "Manager, it seems like the fighting is still going on ahead!" "Should we go up and help?" "Damn it, it''s like gods fighting; are we going up there just to die?" "But standing by while our allies are trapped and doing nothing could get us executed!" Listening to the arguments of his subordinates, the Manager quickly made a decision. "Stop arguing. We''ll cautiously sneak closer, take a look from a distance, help if we can, and retreat if we can''t!" After speaking, the Manager led the group forward slowly. Before long, they suddenly saw a black smoke passing overhead. "There''s something in the sky!" "Looks like a bird!" "What kind of bird has black smoke coming from its rear?" "But it has wings! And the wings are glowing!" ...... Just as the group was discussing, the object in the sky fell steadily yet swiftly toward their direction, trailing a dense black smoke, carving out a clear trajectory, and with a boom, it crashed not far from them. Even more than a hundred meters away, they felt a faint tremor in the ground, and the group looked at each other, seeing the shock in each other''s eyes. With a closer look, they finally saw that it was not some strange bird but a human in peculiar armor with steel wings sprouting from their back. "Have the Westerners'' Magic Armor really gotten to the point where they can fly now?" "The gap between us and the Westerners is too vast; we''ll never catch up in our lifetime!" "Da Qing is doomed!" Seeing this incomprehensible sci-fi armor, the group couldn''t suppress a feeling of helplessness and despair. After decades of struggle for survival, not only had the gap not narrowed, but it had actually widened... Was it really an issue of race and civilization? At this moment, the Manager''s low shout interrupted everyone''s unwarranted thoughts. "Shut up! Form battle formation, let''s go up and see what exactly is happening?" With that, the Manager gripped his long spear tightly, crouched forward, and moved silently under the cover of vegetation. Soon, they saw their target. In the center of a small "meteorite crater," a slender figure with steel wings was struggling to get up, but an Eight-sided Han Sword had pierced through their back and chest, with crimson blood dripping down the blade, pooling into a small puddle beneath them. Seeing this scene, the group seemed to see a pitiful wild goose struck down by an arrow, with their feelings of helplessness and despondency inexplicably dissipating. Even the flying armor of the Westerners isn''t all that impressive... They still end up dead... On the other side, Muriel Frankel lay on the ground, with the combat AI''s frenzied warnings echoing in her ears. "Severe blood loss, please stop the bleeding as soon as possible!" "Blood pressure has dropped to a dangerous level!" "Major damage to lung lobes, blood oxygen concentration below 50." "Multiple organ injuries, severe internal bleeding!" "Multiple fractures throughout the body." ......... The originally sharp alerts now seemed to come from a distant realm, and Muriel Frankel''s vision faded in and out of blackness, holding on against fainting through sheer willpower. Raising her head, the optical detector spotted the soldiers slowly approaching, and seeing their ugly pigtailed braids, Muriel Frankel felt even more bitterness in her heart. If she were in normal condition, these guys would just be a bunch of ants, but now, they were likely the last straw that could break the camel''s back! "Cough, cough!" Coughing up the clotted blood from her throat, the slight influx of air into her lungs somewhat relieved her painful suffocation feeling. She immediately tried to pull out the sword impaling her chest with an awkward posture. Creak~ S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. But the sturdy armor firmly held the sword in place, and she, being exhausted from blood loss and on the verge of shock, couldn''t pull out the treasure sword at all. Instead, the movement made her convulse and tremble in pain. "Oooh!" "Let me help you." A nightmarish, gentle whisper suddenly sounded in her ears, causing Muriel Frankel to shiver all over, her hair standing on end in fright. Before she had time to react, a large foot stepped on her back, and the treasure sword piercing through her chest was gripped in someone''s hand. Whoosh~ "Ahhhhhhh!!" The Eight-sided Han Sword was violently pulled out, the intense friction causing her viscera to spasm and twist, bringing excruciating, soul-gnawing pain, instantly making her nearly fainting nerves extremely alert! On the other side, listening to the girl''s miserable wails, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably felt a slight pleasure, skillfully twirling the sword, flicking off the bloodstains. Releasing the boot stepping on her, the boy gently flipped the girl over with a nudge of his sword, then softly sliced open her facial armor, revealing her beautiful, fair features. Looking down from above into the girl''s eyes, Zhu Haomiao curled a slight smile. "Why run so fast? There''s no oil here..." And at his feet, facing the teasing filled with malicious delight, Muriel Frankel did not respond, only resignedly relaxing, silently staring at the boy, as if wanting to imprint this face onto her soul. "Hmm? Looking at me like that? Want to take revenge?" Zhu Haomiao blinked strangely; he didn''t see any visceral hatred in her eyes but rather a sense of relief and liberation. "No, I know I have no chance to take revenge on a monster like you, just wanted to remember what you look like so I can stay away whenever I see you in the future." Muriel Frankel''s words left Zhu Haomiao momentarily dumbfounded, looking at her with a surprised expression. Such worldly clarity? "Since you''ve figured it out, why not surrender?" "According to the competition rules, if you surrender, although you''ll be eliminated, you can keep your life." Upon hearing this, Muriel Frankel snorted, the action tugging at her wound, causing her delicate eyebrows to knit in pain. "The whole world is watching; how could I possibly surrender?" "Even if contestants from other countries can surrender to China, I cannot." At this, Muriel Frankel looked meaningfully into Zhu Haomiao''s eyes and murmured deeply. "This is a war without smoke; any act of weakness could lead me and my family to eternal doom..." "By contrast, a heroic death could still make me look like a hero..." Murmuring to herself, Muriel Frankel suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. "But, before I die, could I see your [Dragon Emblem]?" Upon hearing this request, Zhu Haomiao raised an arm, lifting the black cloak to reveal a sophisticated and elegant purple-gold lustre beneath. Staring intently at the badge on the young man''s chest, Muriel Frankel raised a self-mocking, bitter smile. "Indeed...Super Power..." Saying this, she gently raised her slender neck, exposing her fair throat. "It''s my honor to die by the sword of the [Chinese Martial God]." "Hurry and do it, it hurts so much..." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao pressed his lips together complex in expression. Your surrendering in such a straightforward manner kills all my excitement! Looking at the girl beneath him, awaiting death in the literal sense, Zhu Haomiao sighed lightly, his sword in hand drawing a graceful and agile glimmer of cold light. Chapter 182 - 182: Luckily, I am the perpetrator! Hiss~ A streak of exquisitely beautiful blood emerged from Muriel Frankel''s fair, slender neck. On the brink of death, a hint of relief flashed through her eyes, and her pupils rapidly dilated and unfocused. [Jealousy] +100, [Sloth] +200, [Pride] +300 Absorbing the unseen sin looming around, Zhu Haomiao looked up into the distance and waved toward the woods. "Come over." The Manager, who thought he was well-hidden, emerged from the trees, approaching the young man with a sycophantic yet reverent demeanor. "Your Excellency, your divine power is truly invincible!" Listening to the Manager''s heartfelt flattery, Zhu Haomiao chuckled and shook his head, giving orders without hesitation. "I have a task for you." "Yes!" Hearing the command, the Manager instinctively puffed out his chest and snapped his legs together. "I will be guarding the high ground ahead until tomorrow. Gather your personnel to clean up the battlefield. Decapitate all the Lords... uh, the pirates, and send the heads up to the high ground." Saying this, Zhu Haomiao tore off the armor on Muriel Frankel and took a resplendent golden bald eagle badge from her chest. "Also, check every corpse for a badge like this on their chest; if there''s one, bring it over." After carefully observing the badge in the young man''s hand and memorizing its appearance, the Manager nodded vigorously. "Right, leave the heads on these exotic-looking young corpses intact; keep them whole. Later, see if anyone claims them. If not, dig a pit and bury them." "Yes, sir!" "Alright, go on." After dismissing the group of soldiers, Zhu Haomiao sheathed his sword and turned towards the nearby strategic point, gently adjusting his breath. After prolonged battle and traveling, his [Qi] attribute, which was as high as 58 points, was almost depleted. Fortunately, his [Essence] attribute was also over 50 points, allowing him to recover fully after a day or two of rest. If necessary, he could even unleash the [Lust] authority to quickly return to peak condition. However, that would overdraw the [Essence] attribute and consume a lot of nutrition, so natural recovery was preferred if it wasn''t necessary. Thoughts swirled in his mind as Zhu Haomiao unhurriedly returned to the strategic point, gazing at the flattened mountaintop leveled by his sword and the battlefield strewn with corpses, sighing compassionately. Sigh~ The slaughter of war is truly terrifying! Luckily, I am the aggressor! Smacking his lips, the young man returned to the flattened mountaintop, found a clean spot to sit cross-legged, and placed the long sword on his knees. Though unlikely, there''s still a chance someone might come roller-skating; he needed to make haste to recover his state. Swoosh~ Taking a deep breath, the inner breath of his five viscera and six bowels began to circulate faster. With the [Big Toad Qi] of the Great Perfection Realm gradually activated, between his inhalations and exhalations, a deafening toad croak surged from within his organs. Ribbit~ Ribbit~ Ribbit~ Not far from the mountain foot, a group of Qing soldiers decapitating heads heard the faint, timeless toad croak and looked up in confusion. "What is that sound? It sounds like a toad croaking." "It''s summer; isn''t it normal for these things to be around? Hurry up with the decapitations; they have to be delivered before dark!" "Hey, why do you think that lord wants these heads?" "Who knows? Surely not to eat them?" sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "I heard there''s some evil magic that uses heads as offerings..." Hearing the subordinates'' curious chatter, the Manager frowned. "Don''t pry into things above your pay grade! You dare gossip like this, don''t you value your life?" Rebuked by the officer, the soldiers laughed apologetically and scattered, like hardworking bees searching for bodies on the battlefield. On the other side, after pushing the [Big Toad Qi] to restore some inner breath, Zhu Haomiao stopped his cultivation and looked at the harvest from the [Book of Black]. [Gluttony]: LV.5¡úLV.6 [Body] +7 [Strength] +3 [Essence] +3 [Sloth]: LV.5¡úLV.6 [Essence] +6 [Qi] +4 [God] +3 [Pride]: LV.5¡úLV.6 [God] +7 [Dexterity] +6 The three Original Sins advanced one level each, while, most notably, [Jealousy] jumped two levels! [Jealousy]: LV.5¡úLV.7 [Dexterity] +14 [God] +9 [Strength] +11 Looking at the substantial values settling behind the Six-dimensional Attributes, Zhu Haomiao sighed contentedly. Though [Greed] and [Lust] hadn''t leveled up yet, the "experience" was piled up just enough, nearly reaching the tipping point. Only the level of [anger] was too high, with some distance to the next phase. As expected... One does not grow rich without windfalls, nor do horses grow fat without nocturnal feeding! This was an incredible gain! With a smirk, Zhu Haomiao assessed the rewards and continued to meditate to gather energy. The day passed quickly, and when he opened his eyes again, not far away was a near two-meter-high heap of human heads. "Lord, we gathered all the heads we could find here, and here are the badges you requested." Seeing the young man awaken, the Manager, who had been waiting nearby, quickly approached and respectfully presented a small burlap sack. Opening the sack to glimpse the golden badges from various countries inside, Zhu Haomiao nodded with satisfaction and tapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you for your hard work." Overwhelmed by the unexpected praise, his eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, the Manager smiled obsequiously. "It is my humble duty." The young man nodded with a smile, stood up directly, and walked over to the heap of human heads. Looking at the locust army, each with unclosed eyes, Zhu Haomiao''s lips curled up without a hint of a smile, and a malignant, twisted blood-red light surged in his eyes. Woo woo woo~ A mysterious cold wind stirred in the mountains, piercingly cold air crept through the openings in clothes, making the Manager''s skin crawl with goosebumps from a distance. Staring at the back of the young man dressed in black, the Manager felt inexplicably that the heap of human heads seemed to come alive, each face distorted, writhing and emitting haunting cries unheard by human ears. In a daze, the serene mountaintop appeared particularly "lively," as if countless spectral wails were circulating. Yet, upon closer listening, only the howling of the wind could be heard. A chill surged from his coccyx straight up to the top of the skull; the Manager swallowed with difficulty, moving his gaze from the young man who had his back turned away, bowing his head, and no longer dared to stare. On the other side, the brutal bloody ritual quietly concluded, and the unseen sinful aura manifested from the void, flowing into Zhu Haomiao like a torrent. [anger] +795 Swoosh~ Slowly exhaling, the blood-red light swirling in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes gradually subsided, returning to clarity. Regrettably, there was still a gap before [anger] advanced... Calculating the time, the period for occupying the strategic point had already sufficed. Presumably, the allied Transcendent team taking over was on their way, and Zhu Haomiao turned to instruct the Manager. "You all go down to the mountain base and reconstruct the defensive positions." "Ah... Oh! Understood!" Seeing the Manager take two seconds to respond, dragging his exhausted body to salute and depart, Zhu Haomiao gently reassured. "Reinforcements to relieve you will arrive soon, just hold on a few more days." Chapter 183 - 183: Unharmed Upon hearing this, the previously exhausted Manager felt as if a dose of adrenaline had been injected, and a surge of strength rose immediately. "Yes, sir." Watching the rejuvenated Manager descend the mountain, Zhu Haomiao shifted his gaze to the distant horizon, where several tiny black dots were slowly magnifying. Minutes later, a group of young boys and girls passed the Qing Army''s inquiry at the mountain''s base and headed straight to the summit. They were greeted by a boy in a black cloak, as handsome as jade, smiling at them. "Hello, Ulyana, captain of the Lucia Arctic Fox Team." A tall girl radiating an air of maturity stepped forward and extended her hand generously. "China, Zhu Haomiao." The two exchanged a polite handshake, and Ulyana curiously glanced behind the boy, examining the surroundings. "Where is your team? If anyone is injured, we have medical staff on our side." In response to Ulyana''s kind inquiry, Zhu Haomiao calmly shook his head. "I have no teammates nor injuries, thank you for your concern." Hearing this, Ulyana was slightly taken aback, and her initially amiable smile froze. Her eyes wandered in disbelief. Did you conquer such a brutal battlefield all by yourself??! Suddenly, Ulyana noticed a detail, subtly examining the boy''s clean, tidy, and pristine clothing, her suspicions deepening as she frowned. It''s one thing to capture a medium strategic point alone, but he has not a single trace of battle on him? Is he fooling us? "Um... May I verify your [Dragon Emblem]? It''s a necessary part of the handover process." As she spoke, Ulyana took out a special document, removed the golden badge from her chest, and pressed a complex, beautiful gold double-headed eagle imprint onto it. Zhu Haomiao nodded, lifting his dark cloak, removed his own [Dragon Emblem], and pressed it as well. The extraordinary power manifested a mysterious reaction on the special paper, imprinting a majestic Purple Gold Divine Dragon and an ancient, obscure seal script with the character Zhu in the middle. Upon seeing the Purple Gold [Dragon Emblem] in his hand, Ulyana seemed thunderstruck, her composure momentarily lost. But paying no mind to Ulyana''s shocked expression, after completing the handover procedure, Zhu Haomiao nodded and smiled at them. "I''ll be counting on you afterward." "It... it''s only right..." No longer doubting as before, Ulyana bowed her head in reverence, almost fearing to meet the boy''s gaze. As the black-cloaked boy drifted away, her team members swarmed forward, excitedly and incredulously discussing! "Purple Gold! Super Power!" "He must be the first contestant to ascend to dominance in this competition, isn''t he? He looks younger than us!" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No wonder he could single-handedly fend off a Golden Team and capture a medium strategic point!" "Tsk tsk, China''s population is immense, they produce several monstrous contenders every competition!" Amidst the team''s excited gossip, Ulyana breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze complex as she looked in the direction where the boy had left. "Did none of you notice his most frightening aspect?" The discussing team members looked bewilderedly at their captain. "Huh?" "His clothes, his skin, were without a single wound, not even stained with dust!" Upon hearing this, everyone realized the slight sense of discord they had felt earlier. Even transcendants, after a fierce battle, usually appear bedraggled, yet the boy''s appearance stood in stark contrast to the bloody battlefield. He was too clean! So clean that it didn''t seem like he had been through a battle at all! "A newly ascended contestant at dominance is not fundamentally different from a peak gold, even if he can fight off a Golden Team alone, he shouldn''t be unharmed... Could he be deceiving us?" "There''s no reason to, how would he benefit from deceiving us?" "Exactly, the strategic point doesn''t lie, it''s indeed conquered!" During their heated debate, Ulyana let out a long sigh. "That''s exactly what makes him terrifying, it indicates that an entire Golden Team couldn''t even scratch his clothes, and was driven back¡­" "He achieved victory in a crushing manner; I can even imagine how desperate the enemy''s team must have been." Ulyana gazed into the void, a complex expression on her beautiful face. "I wonder which country''s contestant was guarding this strategic point, if it was a US Traitor... I''ll definitely watch this segment when I return to the real world next time!" Listening to the captain''s analysis, surprise and doubt crossed the team members'' faces as they exchanged glances and furrowed eyebrows in disbelief. Dominance taking on many can be understood, but an unharmed victory seems a bit exaggerated? We''re all geniuses under 18, even the best [God''s Destiny] shouldn''t have such a vast disparity, right? Unable to find an answer after pondering for a while, everyone temporarily set aside their doubts and began preparing fortifications to establish a well-developed forward base. Just then, a sharp-eyed team member noticed a terrifying and evil head pyramid in the corner. "Captain, come quickly!" The intriguing call immediately drew a crowd, and seeing the pyramid built of grotesque heads, even the battle-hardened descenders felt a chill down their spines. "Is this some kind of evil sacrifice ritual?" "No, I recognize this, it''s called... ''Jing...'' something?" "Jingguan! An ancient cruel ritual in China, meant to showcase martial prowess and intimidate enemies." "Ah! I remember, I heard they built a super massive Jingguan in a Middle Heavenly Illusion Realm once, nearly a hundred meters high! Killed several million! Like a mountain!" "That was the little idiot, right?" "Yes." "Actually, [Dragon]''s style is usually very benevolent; they seldom engage in such brutal actions." "But the problem is, the little idiot always manages to step right into their hot spots¡­" Speaking of which, everyone looked at the heads with their vicious, twisted, fearful, and despairing expressions, smirking yet speechless. "Dragons have reverse scales; to touch them is to die... This time the little idiot is in trouble again..." At that moment, a Qing Country officer with an ugly braid approached cautiously and inquired respectfully. "Dear sirs, some special corpses are not sure how to deal with them? Should they be buried now, or in a couple of days?" Especially since the weather is heating up, some of the chopped-up remains are starting to smell... Upon hearing this, Ulyana gave him a strange look. "Why not bury the bodies?" "Uh... the previous gentleman mentioned someone might come to collect the bodies, so they were left for now." "Collect bodies?!" Ulyana''s heart skipped a beat, and without hesitation, she waved her hand. "Take me to see." Chapter 184 - 184: Total Annihilation A group of curious onlookers followed the Qing Army Governor to the foot of the mountain. Upon seeing the rows of young corpses with ferocious expressions, their earlier gloating smiles slowly disappeared, and their pupils involuntarily widened. "This shield and armor! [Frost Shield] Sigurd Holmby!" "Brittania''s White Tower Wizard..." "Italian Holy Knight..." "Druid of the Nature Sect..." At a glance, people recognized extraordinary individuals from several national forces, including some faces they had even interacted with! Ulyana walked up to a corpse of a girl with vacant eyes, staring intently at her face. "[Steel Angel] Muriel Frankel..." "Her Constellation Team was ranked in the country, and they''re... wiped out?" Muttering to herself, Ulyana stiffly turned her head, staring intensely at the Qing Country officer who brought them here. "Who killed them?" "Uh... it should be that lord from before." "Should?!" Facing Ulyana''s oppressive gaze, the Governor explained nervously. "When I arrived, it was already littered with corpses, except for that lord who was the only living being, so... it should be him who killed them." Upon hearing this, everyone looked at the bodies on the ground and fell into silence. They had originally thought he simply repelled the Golden Team stationed here, but unexpectedly, he had shockingly massacred both the garrison and reinforcements?! A total of five extraordinary teams, over sixty people! Such terrifying power! Such a ruthless killing intent! China''s extraordinaries generally believe in "leaving a way out for future encounters." Even in conflict, they would give their enemies some face and rarely go to the extremes... This isn''t their usual style! Staring at the ground filled with corpses, gazing at their unappeased, hideous expressions, it seemed everyone could feel their despair and unwillingness before death. In a daze, they once again recalled the innocent, handsome smile of the young Zhu Haomiao, and... His immaculate, unblemished clothing! Suddenly realizing something, everyone''s pupils contracted sharply. Slaughtering five well-known extraordinary teams without a scratch?! Impossible, right?! Even a cornered rabbit will bite! These were over sixty Heaven''s Chosen Ones! Did they really fail to make a peer bleed despite fighting to the death? Absurd thoughts tumbled in their minds; though it was broad daylight, they inexplicably felt a chill penetrating to their bones. What kind of monster is that guy? ......... "Achoo!" Returning to the rear, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably sneezed, rubbing his nose in confusion. "Is there another scheming civilian trying to harm me?" Glancing around, Zhu Haomiao quickly dismissed the fleeting thoughts and walked into the command center with a sack full of badges. This time, the guards along the way seemed to recognize his face, allowing him unobstructed passage into the deepest hall. From afar, he heard Wang Hua''s excited voice. "Junior Brother Zhu eliminated five teams by himself, all five strategic support points along the Kaicheng line have changed hands, the enemy''s defense lines have completely collapsed; we need to seize this momentum and breach their defenses, leveling Han City!" But someone immediately countered. "It''s too dangerous. Although we have created a huge strategic salient on the Kaicheng front, the enemy''s flanks still maintain strong combat power. What if we become isolated deep inside enemy lines and get surrounded?" "Exactly, going all-in at once is too risky; if the enemy counters, it could backfire on us." "We should take a steady approach and first smooth out the eastern line. The enemy has a significant advantage there and is nearly at Xinping, just seventy to eighty kilometers away from us." ...... Listening to the debate among different countries'' dominions, Zhu Haomiao calmly stepped forward, instantly drawing everyone''s attention. "Junior Brother Zhu! You''re back!" Wang Hua cheerily approached him, wrapping him in a bear hug. After firmly patting the young man''s back, Wang Hua brought him before the dominions and proudly said, "You did us proud this time! You showed our spirit!" Hearing this, leaders from various countries gave the young man a complex look. One person annihilating over sixty people without a scratch, even the [Abyss] wouldn''t be this overwhelmingly strong! Most crucially, this was only the result of his achievements from scratch in three virtual years! This growth rate seriously challenges the most fundamental physical laws! On the other side, oblivious to the complex gazes from the dominant powers, Zhu Haomiao handed a sack to Wang Hua. "Senior Brother Wang, these are the spoils of war, please hand them to the committee." Clink, clink~ Receiving the sack and hearing the crisp sound of metal inside, Wang Hua glanced at the shiny badges of various countries and gradually calmed his excitement. An initially light sack inexplicably became heavy, and at this moment, Wang Hua realized the terrifying slaughter Zhu Haomiao had achieved. That was over sixty Golden Transcendents of the same level! Yet, despite risking their lives, they couldn''t leave a single scratch on the young man, not even on the hem of his clothes! Looking at Zhu Haomiao''s intact, jet-black cloak, a feeling of respect and awe welled up in Wang Hua''s heart for the first time. As a friend who witnessed Zhu Haomiao''s gradual growth move forward, he always felt the other was still the naive boy who knew nothing when they first met. But at that moment, Wang Hua suddenly realized that the other had grown to a level he couldn''t understand! Even looking up, he could barely see a shadow... "Hm? Senior Brother Wang, what''s up?" Sensing Wang Hua''s inner turmoil, Zhu Haomiao looked at him curiously. Suddenly, the boy''s clear and naive gaze overlapped with the memories of when they first met, instantly dissipating the sense of unfamiliarity and distance in Wang Hua''s heart. He grinned self-deprecatingly. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Nothing, I''ll help you exchange these badges into War Contribution Points right away." "By the way, Senior Brother Wang, the War Contribution Points from the [Ascension Competition] will proportionately increase the Contribution Points for the [Yanhuang Armory], right?" "That''s right." "So, how many Contribution Points do I have now?" "Hmm... you captured a medium strategic point alone and recovered so many badges, at least a thousand points, but the specific amount depends on the committee''s calculations." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up. "Then I need to go back to Shanghai." "Huh? Why return to Shanghai?" "To exchange cultivation techniques, I haven''t learned three Basic Forces yet!" ... Upon hearing this, leaders from various countries'' dominions who had been listening with ears pricked felt their eyelids twitching in shock, exchanging bewildered glances. He simultaneously used five Basic Forces because he only learned five, not because he could only use five?!! Could there truly exist a [Eight Forces Combined] monster in this world?! Chapter 185 - 185, Demon On the other side, Wang Hua also remembered Zhu Haomiao''s former bold words and swallowed hard. "When are you coming back?" "About forty to fifty days or so. I''ll return during the upcoming rest period. It won''t really delay much." Zhu Haomiao counted on his fingers and estimated a time. Upon hearing this, Wang Hua sighed softly in relief. "Then hurry back, we still rely on you a lot at the front line." "No problem!" Amidst the complex looks of a crowd of dominance figures, Wang Hua escorted Zhu Haomiao out of the command hall, and not until their figures disappeared at the end of the field did everyone start talking. "Not a single scratch on his whole body." "Even his condition seems unchanged." "It feels like he didn''t go out for a battle, but for a stroll in the countryside." "Even a countryside stroll gets your shoes muddy! His shoes didn''t have a speck of mud; the soles were clean!" "The legendary ''Spirit Rhinoceros Realm'' Martial God can avoid all attacks, I never thought it was true!" "It''s not that mystical. ''Spirit Rhinoceros Realm''s'' supernatural combat intuition is related to spiritual power strength; the stronger the spirit, the sharper the perception. But it''s well known that martial artists primarily train physique and rarely hone their divine souls, making them only sensitive to lethal threats, not capable of dodging every attack." "Then... is there a possibility that the Dragon''s Son''s spiritual power strength is stronger than a mage''s?" "Hm??!" "Hiss... thinking carefully, that''s possible!" "Dominance level spiritual power, dominance level dexterity, finally sublimated by the enhancement in the Spirit Rhinoceros Realm into some supernatural phenomenon... Only this way could he come out unscathed from an attack by dozens of Golden Transcendents!" "..." "Golden Wind Unmoving, Cicada First Sense, the mutual understanding of minds! Could such a theoretically martial realm actually exist?" Unaware of the discussions about himself in the command hall, Zhu Haomiao bid farewell to Wang Hua and returned to the cruise ship docked at Datong River Pier. But this time the first to greet him wasn''t the suit-clad Wilson, but a fluffy snowball! "Squeak squeak~~" Clutching the boy''s cheek and frantically nuzzling, Diao Chan stuck out its pink little tongue and began a flurry of licks, its tail spinning like a propeller, humming with excitement. "How many times have I told you, I keep you to relieve my stress, not for you to relieve yours on me!" Prying the face-hugger-like Diao Chan off his face, Zhu Haomiao glared at it angrily. "Know your place in the family! I pet you first; only after that can you pet... no, wait... you can''t pet me at all!" "Squeak??" Diao Chan cocked its head adorably, its big black eyes blinking, deftly slipping out of Zhu Haomiao''s relaxed grip and darting up his arm to perch on his shoulder, continuing to hug and lick his cheek. "Mwah mwah mwah~" "..." Rolling his eyes, Zhu Haomiao grabbed Diao Chan and held it tight, rubbing its head angrily. "Squeak~" "No use squeaking; today you''re doomed, not even Jesus can save you!" With gritted teeth and a flurry of ruffling, the extreme negative emotions accumulated on the battlefield quietly dissolved, his turbulent and excited spirit becoming crystal-clear and serene once more. Not until all the fluff on Diao Chan''s head was a mess did Zhu Haomiao let it go with a wicked grin, allowing it to scamper off to the side to lick and groom its fur. "My lord, the food is ready." Wilson walked up timely, respectfully taking the Eight-Sided Han Sword from the boy''s waist. "Alright, prepare to set sail, and let''s eat along the way." "As you command." Toot~~~ A long whistle accompanied the cruise ship as it slowly departed from the pier. Zhu Haomiao headed to the dining area with Diao Chan and began a feast. But the four-dimensional stomach enhanced by Gluttony was like a bottomless pit. They ate all the way until the cruise ship docked in Shanghai, consuming enough food for over 300 people to eat for a month, before Diao Chan and Zhu Haomiao finally stopped eating. Touching his flat stomach, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but furrow his eyebrows slightly. The supernatural authority of Gluttony grew increasingly powerful, always feeling hungry no matter how much food... Moreover, some little thing seemed to have undergone a mysterious transformation after a long Deep Sleep, its cheeks like a bottomless pit... Thinking of this, the teenager turned to look at the silly Diao Chan happily licking its paws nearby. "Squeak?" Seemingly sensing its master''s gaze, Diao Chan turned its head and looked at Zhu Haomiao innocently, blinking its big eyes, suddenly as if it understood something. Its tiny front paws rummaged in its mouth and magically pulled out a rib, rushing to the boy and, standing up like showing a treasure, high above its head, pushed the chewed food against his lips. "Wuwu~" "Wu?" What is that call again? In disbelief, Zhu Haomiao dodged and was about to tell Diao Chan to take the rib back when suddenly a sound he''d never heard before came to his ears. "Hungry, squeak~" The dodging motion paused slightly, and Zhu Haomiao stared at the cute creature before him, frowning in suspicion. "What did you say?" "Hungry, squeak food~" This time, Zhu Haomiao confirmed he didn''t hear wrong, drawing a sharp breath. My big Diao not only mimics cat calls, dog calls, pig calls, but it can imitate human speech? No way! It can actually speak human language?!! Pupils quaking, Zhu Haomiao stared into Diao Chan''s clear and transparent black eyes, taking a long moment before accepting this bizarre setting. Although he had long known Diao Chan was perceptive and could understand many complex commands, he never thought it was smart enough to speak! Oddly, Zhu Haomiao thought of the tales about talking demons who shed the obstructing bone from their throats! "Squeak food~ squeak food~" Yet looking at Diao Chan persistently trying to stuff the rib into his mouth, Zhu Haomiao just couldn''t associate it with the mysterious and strange demons from legend. Except for its incredibly adorable looks, this guy was utterly useless! Pursing his lips, Zhu Haomiao dodged the rib, chuckling awkwardly in deflection. "I''m not hungry, you eat it yourself." "Squeak?" Diao Chan blinked puzzledly, hesitated a moment, then stuffed the rib back into its cheek. Picking up Diao Chan for a thorough examination and confirming there was nothing odd about it, Zhu Haomiao suppressed the strange feeling in his heart, scrunched his mouth, and tossed the matter aside. "Let''s go." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With a thought, the boy took the Eight-Sided Han Sword handed to him by Wilson, tucked Diao Chan into his pocket, and walked off the cruise ship. Pulling the hood over his face, the boy in black strode through the pier, heading straight for the Yanhuang Armory in the Public Leased Territory. Several minutes later, Zhu Haomiao found Feng Zhaobai, who was busy working. "Senior Brother Feng." "Mhm, you''re back." Feng Zhaobai put down the documents in his hand, calmly smiled, and nodded, looking like he was gazing at a traveler returning from afar. "I knew you couldn''t wait, hand over the Dragon Emblem." Chapter 186 - 186: Be a Little Gentler As if he already knew the purpose of Zhu Haomiao''s return, Feng Zhaobai asked directly for the badge. Seeing this, Zhu Haomiao smiled awkwardly, swiftly taking out a Purple Gold Badge from beneath his cloak. Even though he had long received news of Zhu Haomiao''s promotion to dominance, Feng Zhaobai couldn''t help but feel a stir of emotion when he saw that noble purple-gold color in person. More than three years... He had personally witnessed the transformation and growth of a naive boy... Black Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold... Even though he knew this day would come sooner or later, when Zhu Haomiao truly wore the Purple Gold [Dragon Emblem] and stood beside him, Feng Zhaobai couldn''t suppress the complex emotions in his heart. Jealousy, joy, comfort, and sighs... Various complex emotions churned in Feng Zhaobai''s heart, and seeing him in a daze after receiving the [Dragon Emblem], Zhu Haomiao curiously asked. "Senior Brother Feng, what''s wrong?" "Nothing... nothing." Feng Zhaobai snapped back to reality and skillfully changed the subject. "Right, you want to exchange for the basic force, right? All three remaining ones?" "That''s right." Speaking of the matter, Zhu Haomiao nodded excitedly. "Alright, sit down for a moment." Feng Zhaobai gestured for him to sit, holding the [Dragon Emblem] as he stepped out the door. In a few minutes, Feng Zhaobai returned to the room and handed the badge back to Zhu Haomiao. "The remaining three basic forces have all been recorded." "Thank you, Senior Brother Feng." "As it should be." After a casual exchange of pleasantries, Feng Zhaobai suddenly remembered something and looked at Zhu Haomiao with meaningful eyes. "You really frightened the other side on the peninsula this time." "Ah?" Zhu Haomiao blinked in confusion, sincerely puzzled. "I didn''t do much, did I?" I hardly used the Original Sin Authority, relying completely on my own hard-earned cultivation! And they got scared from that? What if I unleashed [Seven Sins All at Once], [Eight Forces Combined], wouldn''t they just surrender immediately? No way! I haven''t killed enough yet! Zhu Haomiao furrowed his brows, pondering seriously. Seems like... I need to learn the actor''s self-discipline, let the enemies see hope within reach, so they will eagerly rush forward to die. On the other side, even though he was long accustomed to the boy''s invisible boasting, Feng Zhaobai was still speechless looking at him. You wiped out the Golden Teams of five countries without a scratch, yet claim you did nothing? The whole NATO is in mourning! "Junior Brother Zhu." "Ah?" "Not every country has a superhuman mass like China. Even for strong countries like France and Germany, losing a Golden Team of talents would be heartbreaking, let alone those small nations using everything they have just to make one Golden Team." "Your unintentional killing almost broke the backbone of a generation!" "Many European countries have privately sent notes saying they have no intention of being our enemy, hoping you''ll from now on..." After a pause, Feng Zhaobai hesitated for several seconds before reluctantly finding the right words. "Be a little gentler." "Gentler?? I''ve already been very gentle, I left most of them with intact bodies!" Not releasing [anger] to whip the corpses, not indulging in [Gluttony] to eat people, not taking advantage of the heat, haha... I didn''t even chop their heads off to build a corpse pile! Isn''t that gentle enough? Seeing the boy''s aggrieved expression and hearing his shocking words, Feng Zhaobai painfully rubbed his temples. Who taught you these values? If Satan came, they''d have to tattoo "Zhu" on their back! "In any case, the countries have privately communicated with us. In the future, they will voluntarily avoid you, so don''t chase them to kill." "Ah?" The thought of not being able to go on a killing spree in the future instantly put a pained expression on Zhu Haomiao''s face, as he bit his lips in discontent. "But aren''t they in league with Old America?" Hearing this, Feng Zhaobai sighed softly and patiently explained. "The Western world is not monolithic, many countries do not actually want to pick sides, but are forced to take a position due to pressure. I certainly want to unite all forces that can be united." "Upon closer analysis, you''ll find that except for Brittania and Japan, other countries have their own little schemes and do not want to follow Old America to the end." "Even Japan... has its own little calculations..." Listening to Feng Zhaobai''s meaningful whisper, Zhu Haomiao helplessly nodded, letting out a long, sympathetic sigh. "Alright, just call me soft-hearted." Feng Zhaobai: "..." You really are a benevolent person! Rolling his eyes inwardly, Feng Zhaobai straightened his face and spoke solemnly. "Moreover, since you have officially been promoted to dominance, the true [Yanhuang Armory] will open its door to you." "The true [Yanhuang Armory]?!" Zhu Haomiao''s heart skipped a beat, and he looked at Feng Zhaobai in confusion. Is the [Yanhuang Armory] we''re in now fake? "Yes, the true [Yanhuang Armory] is a Divine Skill, or rather a special permission, which I''ve already imprinted onto your [Dragon Emblem]." Pointing at the Purple Gold [Dragon Emblem] on the boy''s chest, Feng Zhaobai slightly curled his lips. "Carefully perceive and study it. With your aptitude, you should be able to open the door and receive a response while at the [Middle Heavenly Position]." "As for what weapons you can extract from it, that depends on your own affinity and the high rank authority you''ve comprehended." ............... Phew~ Returning to the dark and deep sleeping tomb, Zhu Haomiao sat cross-legged on the bed, breathing softly and deeply. A mystical divine sense seeped into the depths of the [Dragon Emblem], faintly "seeing" an invisible gate standing proudly at the center of his sea of consciousness, seemingly connected to some mysterious domain. Is this the door to the [Yanhuang Armory]?! With a thought, his divine sense circled around the gate, sensing an ancient and majestic divinity. Heavy, brutal, profound, sharp... Various auras leaked from the gate''s crevice. Just touching these elusive auras made Zhu Haomiao''s divine sense tremble uncontrollably, as though on the brink of collapse. Suppressing the discomfort and researching for a long time, the boy still couldn''t enter the door, ultimately having to reluctantly give up and turn to the newly exchanged three basic forces. With his will in control, countless Gold Coins cascaded like a golden waterfall in the void, silently merging into his body, causing tangible principle ripples upon his exterior. [Flying Radiance Skill]: LV.0¡úLV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Essence] +3 [God] +2 [Qi] +1 [Sealing Demon Power]: LV.0¡úLV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [God] +3 [Essence] +2 [Qi] +1 [Penetration Force]: LV.0¡úLV.3 (Mastery¡¤Bottleneck) [Qi] +3 [Essence] +2 [God] +1 Streams of virtual memories spanning over ten years surged into his mind. The three basic forces developed from nothing to mastery, various mysterious skills etched deep into his soul, as if they were an innate ability. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Chapter 187 - 187: Eight Forces Combined, the Perfect Warrior Opening his eyes, Zhu Haomiao carefully contemplated the power of the three basic forces, nodding thoughtfully. Raising his hand with suspended palm, the young man activated the [Hard Qi Skill] and [Penetration Force], imprinting a palm on his chest. Bang~ After a muffled boom, his internal organs felt a pervasive sharp pain; the powerful force directly seeped through his skin, flesh, and bones, penetrating his body and causing an electric shock-like spasm of pain. The originally indestructible Great Perfection [Hard Qi Skill] defense was far from expected, whereas the Perfect Realm [Big Toad Qi] had an unexpected effect. [Big Toad Qi] not only trained his viscera to become more resilient, but the abundant inner breath also somewhat offset the damage from the [Penetration Force]! Compared to the sharp incisiveness of [Armor Breaking Power], [Penetration Force] seemed unassuming but was more effective against Horizontal Refining Skills! It was even more insidious and ruthless, killing invisibly. Even at the proficiency realm, Zhu Haomiao had the confidence to use [Penetration Force] to penetrate the enemy''s body, making them appear unharmed externally while their internal organs were shattered into mush. Suddenly, Zhu Haomiao thought of the iron cans he encountered on the battlefield. To tear open that heavy armor with [Armor Breaking Power] would require considerable effort, but with [Penetration Force], he could largely ignore armor defenses and directly damage the fragile "drivers" inside! Striking the ox across the mountain... No, it''s more like percentage armor penetration in games! While [Armor Breaking Power] is like fixed armor penetration! Both target enemies with strong defenses, but one is hard and the other soft, with different focuses. With a single thought, Zhu Haomiao raised his palm once more and struck down with qi. But this time, a layer of translucent Protective Gang Qi appeared on his body, intercepting the "gentle" palm force. [Heavenly Gang Power]! Ripples visible to the naked eye appeared on the translucent protective barrier; the intangible power, after penetrating the gang qi, could no longer maintain its powerful penetration ability and was easily stopped by the gold metallic luster of the toughened skin. Yet mysteriously, Zhu Haomiao still felt a stabbing pain in the organs at the point of impact, faintly producing some imperceptible internal injuries. It seems that [Heavenly Gang Power] can somewhat suppress [Penetration Force], greatly reducing its power... Nodding thoughtfully, Zhu Haomiao plucked a strand of his hair and infused inner breath. [Flying Radiance Skill]! Buzz~ The originally limp black hair instantly tensed, as if it were a steel needle. Swoosh~ With a flick of his hand, the solidified black hair transformed into a barely noticeable stream of light and embedded several meters away into the wall. Half of the ten-centimeter hair pierced into the solid wall, only becoming limp again after the [Flying Radiance Skill] within was fully exhausted. With a hint of delight in his eyes, Zhu Haomiao recalled the "flies" flying erratically in the sky before, and couldn''t help but slightly raise the corners of his mouth. Now he had a way to shoot them down! A flash of inspiration crossed his mind, and the young man plucked another strand of hair, infusing it with power. But this time, he not only activated [Flying Radiance Skill] but also embedded [Armor Breaking Power] within the strand! A sharp glint emerged on the strand of hair, and from a distance, it looked like the young man was holding a long, slender black metal needle between his fingers. Swoosh~ With a flick of the wrist, the black needle pierced into the wall with a mosquito-like humming sound, leaving only a barely discernible small black dot. Staring at the barely visible tiny black dot, Zhu Haomiao extended his spiritual power inward and discovered that the hair had not only penetrated the wall but also extended over a meter deep into the soil behind! Hiss~ Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Such terrifying penetration ability! If a martial artist mastered in dark weaponry executed it with dual power fusion, who could resist? In an instant, Zhu Haomiao recalled [Little Li''s Flying Knife] from wuxia novels. No, this still wasn''t the strongest; it could merge with more basic forces! With a thought, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, the surging inner breath converged in his meridians, gradually brewing a highly concentrated high-pressure energy in the dantian. [Flying Radiance Skill]! [Armor Breaking Power]! [Storage Explosion]! Boom! With a flick of the wrist, the energy compressed to the extreme in the dantian exploded violently, pouring the rampaging force into the "black steel needle" between his fingers, making it disappear instantly. Whoosh~ Almost simultaneously, accompanied by a faint muffled sound, another black dot appeared on the distant wall. But this time, when Zhu Haomiao probed with his spiritual power, he discovered that it had penetrated over ten meters of soil, disappearing beyond the range of his perception! "..." Even in soft soil, this penetration power was excessive!! Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but marvel at the power of the fusion of the three basic forces. To think that these three basic forces hadn''t yet reached the Perfect state. If he mastered them to their peak and used them in fusion, it would be lethal to whoever it hit! After envisioning for a while, Zhu Haomiao shook his head and cast his eyes to the last basic force. If [Flying Radiance Skill] compensated for the martial artist''s lack of long-range firepower, then [Sealing Demon Power]... As the only basic force among the Eight Basic Forces without direct damage ability, Zhu Haomiao carefully contemplated its power of law, and images of being surrounded by the beast spirits of the [Mountain Witch] suddenly flashed in his mind. He used force to tear those void spirits, yet they would quickly mend and recover; physical damage wasn''t lethal to them. With [Sealing Demon Power], the martial artist''s final shortcoming against void spirits was made up for. Theoretically, martial artists who practiced all eight basic forces had no weaknesses! From close combat to long-range attacks, from the tangible to the void spirit... The perfect invincible warrior! But besides himself, it seemed no martial artist practiced all Eight Basic Forces; at most, they would choose a combination with high affinity. Let alone the merely fantastical existence of [Eight Forces Combined]! Heaving a sigh of relief, Zhu Haomiao clenched his fists, feeling the roaring power surging within his body, and sighed with satisfaction. So far, he had mastered all eight basic forces, and the next step was to elevate each one to their peak! Just as he was preparing for [Pupation] to enter deep sleep, the young man suddenly sensed something unusual and instinctively looked at the [Sloth] page within the [Book of Black]. Mysteriously, he sensed that after advancing to LV.6 on the battlefield, [Sloth] gained a new law authority. After carefully sensing it, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up, as if instinctively understanding the power of the new authority. [Continuous Transformation]! Given the premise of having a complete cultivation technique path, by injecting enough [Greed Coins] into the pupa shell, when the cultivation technique breaks through, it will not "break out of the shell," but rather consume all the [Greed Coins] to continue the breakthrough transformation to the next layer. If combined with the previously obtained [Double Pupation] authority, he could completely leverage the downtime of returning to refine, and elevate a particular cultivation technique to Perfection in a short time. With a thought, Zhu Haomiao glanced over the [Book of Black] and unhesitatingly selected a cultivation technique. Chapter 188 - 188, Extraordinary Seed It''s decided, it''s you! [Storage Explosion]! Buzz~ The ethereal divinity materialized and condensed, transforming into gray threads that wriggled and gathered, gradually wrapping around Zhu Haomiao. Clatter~ Dozens of [greed coins] disappeared into the Cocoon Room like illusions, blending into the depths of the spirit and body along with the vast attribute energy. But after completing a [Pupation] once, the gray-white threads did not disappear but continued to wriggle out of the void, once again enveloping Zhu Haomiao. Only after two pupations were complete did Zhu Haomiao exhale a long breath of foul air and collapse onto the soft big bed. "Chirp?" Seemingly sensing its master''s change, a snowy white little head poked out from his collar, rubbing against his cheek. "Let''s go back." Gently stroking Diao Chan''s head, Zhu Haomiao slowly closed his tired eyes, letting his consciousness drift. Detach! Return! Multicolored chaotic black light flickered in his mind, accompanied by the feeling of weightless spiraling descent. Feeling something, Zhu Haomiao touched an invisible handle. With a strong push, he took a large step forward, and the next second, he appeared outside the dormitory bathroom. Looking back at the gradually dissipating chaotic membrane, Zhu Haomiao rubbed his temples wearily. The longer he stayed in the Illusion Realm, the more it felt like waking from a dream upon returning, with a sense of detachment and evaporation. "Chirp~" However, Diao Chan on him was unaffected, quickly adapting and bouncing around the room, digging and grabbing everywhere. "What are you looking for?" "Chirp chirp~" After a flurry of activity, Diao Chan finally dug out a phone from under the pillow and then unlocked it with ease using its small paws, opening a short video app. "Family, today we are making sweet and sour squirrel fish!" "Squirrel turtle fish~~" Watching Diao Chan learn the commentary excitedly and drool while doing so, Zhu Haomiao''s mouth gradually hung open, his eyes widening like bronze bells. This dead mouse can speak human language in reality too? Wait! Suddenly noticing the main point, Zhu Haomiao''s pupils contracted, and rage stirred in his heart! So it was you, you little fiend, who swiped away my goddess! No wonder my phone is always filled with food and meme videos! Grabbing the internet-addicted mouse, Zhu Haomiao held it for a round of chaotic rubbing, making it howl. "Chirp chirp chirp~" "Chirp your head, I''ve worked so hard every day liking videos for my goddess, finally growing an account, and you destroyed it all!" After venting his grievances, Zhu Haomiao tossed the disheveled Diao Chan aside, picked up his phone, and glared at it angrily. "Chirp~" Seemingly realizing its mistake, Diao Chan shrunk its neck pitifully, looking at Zhu Haomiao with big, glistening, innocent eyes, blinking adorably. For some reason, Zhu Haomiao''s anger dissipated, and he pouted, reluctantly tapping its little head. "Don''t mess with my phone anymore, I''ll buy you a new one." "Chirp~" Hearing the softening in his tone, Diao Chan darted onto his shoulder, nuzzling his chin with affection, purring adorably. "Hmph! Being cute won''t help, playing games ruins your willpower, always watching short videos!" "What''s the use of watching those? Can you learn anything?" "At your age, I was already self-studying advanced calculus!" Tapping Diao Chan''s head, Zhu Haomiao chided verbally but took out some thousand yuan bills and headed out with it. A few hours later, having bought a new phone and using his own ID to get a phone sub-card, the young man handed the prepared gift to it, reminding once again. "Don''t mess with my phone anymore, got it?" "Fix chirp?" Diao Chan tilted its head in confusion while holding the new phone. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. After a few seconds, it looked at the phone in its paws and then at Zhu Haomiao, seemingly understanding something, a hint of human-like joy appearing in its big, watery, black eyes. "Chirp chirp~ fix chirp~" "Yes, this is your phone." Watching Diao Chan wiggle its tiny butt, dancing happily, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but smile indulgently. But in the next second, Diao Chan held its gift, and with a move from its small front paws, the phone magically shrank and was swiftly tucked into its cheek pouch. "..." Watching the phone vanish into Diao Chan''s mouth, the indulgent smile on Zhu Haomiao''s face gradually faded, his brows wrinkling. Can that phone... still be used? Before he could figure it out, Diao Chan dashed excitedly onto his face, its moist little tongue giving him a vigorous wash. "Okay, you''re going to lick the taste off my face!" Stuffing Diao Chan into his arms, Zhu Haomiao muttered grumpily. "I bought you the phone, if you break it, it''s not my problem! The landlord doesn''t have spare grain, you know!" "Chirp~ Yu Niang~~" Talking nonsense together, they returned to the Central Super campus, and as they reached the dormitory building, Zhu Haomiao suddenly paused. After hesitating for a moment, he changed direction and walked to a lawn a few dozen meters away. Phew~ Gently and slowly, with a deep breath, accompanied by a long breathing technique, a faint golden rune in the Reality Page of the Book of Black pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat. Big Toad Qi! The Extraordinary Power seed in the Perfect Realm took root and sprouted, slowly and subtly pervading Zhu Haomiao''s body and mind, shifting the strict laws of reality. Gulu~ Gulu~ With rhythmic breathing, inner Qi twisted and moved through his internal organs, an almost imperceptible croak resonated from the depths of his abdomen, a faint coolness circulating through his body, purging and refining all kinds of toxins, expelled with each breath. Phew~ A faint foul breath was exhaled from Zhu Haomiao''s mouth, causing Diao Chan, who was parkouring on his body, to wrinkle its little face and dart up a large tree several meters away, watching him from above. Unaware that he had driven away his pet, the young man was immersed in the refreshing coolness, and only when a full cycle was completed did he contentedly stop. Opening his eyes, feeling the long-lasting, full strength within, Zhu Haomiao began performing a seemingly ordinary set of Tai Chi Boxing. In fact, he had never learned any specific moves, whether in the Illusion Realm or reality. This Tai Chi Boxing was a mere showpiece from college PE class in his previous life, with form but no spirit. But now, the originally hollow routine exhibited a terrifying momentum, each gesture and step carrying a fluid, sharp sound that pierced the air. Fists and feet stirred the air, the students passing by from afar feeling waves of faint power like the tide, forcing them to take a second look. "Which year is this junior from? He seems to have some skill!" "Reeks of arrogance, courting death!" "Then go take him down!" "No! I''m afraid if I punch him, he''ll kneel down begging for mercy not to die!" ... Chapter 189 - 189: Basic Force and High Rank Power Unlike the students watching from the sidelines, Zhu Huacang, sensing the supernatural fluctuations, stood quietly in the corner, growing more astonished as he watched. "Raging Wave Realm..." "It''s actually the Raging Wave Realm, and it''s only been a few months?" During this time, he had been busy dealing with a major Super Natural Disaster and had no energy to focus on internal affairs at the academy. But unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, the individual he had been closely observing had given him such a big surprise! "He grew to this level without me noticing... It seems he gained a lot in the Ascension Competition. I need to pay more attention when I have the time..." Rubbing his chin, Zhu Huacang murmured with great interest. Originally, someone like him, a Human God of the nine-layered heaven, had no interest in kindergarten-level competitions, but now with Zhu Haomiao as a key focus, he began to find this round of childish play intriguing. Subsequently, Zhu Huacang carefully observed the youth''s eyebrows, nodding in satisfaction and relief. There was no malice or evil; his eyes were clear and naive... hmm... innocent, indicating he adhered to his oath... A hint of appreciation rose uncontrollably in his heart, but seeing Zhu Haomiao fight with increasing intensity, Zhu Huacang frowned, stepped out from the corner, and advised. "The Power of the Raging Wave is impetuous and violent. Your physical body is too weak to forcibly activate it." A deep voice pierced through his mind, and Zhu Haomiao, who had been immersed in the Extraordinary Power, suddenly awoke and involuntarily stopped his actions. However, once he relaxed, a wave of sore and powerless exhaustion surged to his brain, as if he had forced himself to finish a marathon, with every muscle in his body trembling. After regaining his breath for a while, Zhu Haomiao looked at the gatekeeper who had approached, and nodded gratefully. "Uncle Zhu." Zhu Huacang put on a kind smile and softly said. "Your physical body in the real world is too weak, and the Extraordinary Power of the Raging Wave Realm is too strong. Don''t use it recklessly like in the Illusion Realm, or your body will break down." "Moderate exercise is called training; excessive exercise is self-destruction." Upon hearing Zhu Huacang''s advice, Zhu Haomiao immediately realized his mistake. Subconsciously applying the habits from the Illusion Realm, he overlooked the fundamental differences between the two worlds! In the Illusion Realm, he was a powerful hegemony-level Transcender, but in reality, he was just a rookie with no strength to even truss a chicken. With this thought, Zhu Haomiao looked at the Reality Page in the Book of Black. [God]: 0.7¡ü [Dexterity]: 0.6¡ü [Strength]: 0.5¡ü [Essence]: 0.4¡ü [Qi]: 0.4¡ü [Physique]: 0.5¡ü To his delight, as the Extraordinary Seed germinated and the power of illusionality was refined into reality, the long-lost upward arrow appeared once again, signaling a rapid growth! Now understanding the knack for capturing the power of illusion in the real world, Zhu Haomiao felt a premonition that one day, he would be able to re-manifest the power of fantasy in reality. Becoming a truly meaningful Human God! Nodding in understanding, Zhu Haomiao turned his thoughts, looking at the kind, smiling face of Zhu Huacang, feeling deeply moved in his heart. No wonder the Central Supernatural Academy was filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers! Even a gatekeeper held such extensive extraordinary knowledge! "Uncle Zhu, are you also a Transcendent?" "Why, of course, back in the day, I was unmatched in the world." Listening to Uncle Zhu''s self-deprecating remarks, Zhu Haomiao glanced at his empty right arm, momentarily unsure whether it was true or false. But before the young man could think deeply, Zhu Huacang patted his shoulder and spoke leisurely. "The supernatural power of the Raging Wave Realm requires a strong foundation for support, so unless you''re in life-threatening danger, don''t use it recklessly. First, practice [Skill], then [Martial], and lay a solid foundation, understand?" Once again catching strange key phrases, Zhu Haomiao first nodded, then stayed puzzled. "Uncle Zhu, what is the Raging Wave Force you''re talking about? I''m using the Stacked Waves Strength." S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Zhu Huacang''s pleased gaze slightly paused, and he stared deeply into Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, wanting to decipher any jesting. But those clear and transparent pupils were filled with foolish curiosity, causing Zhu Huacang to sigh with an indescribable feeling. "You really don''t know about the high-rank power of the Eight Basic Forces?" "Ah?" Seeing Zhu Haomiao open his mouth wide like a foolish cat, Zhu Huacang painfully rubbed his temples. "Did you learn your Extraordinary General Knowledge class from the PE teacher?" "Uh... I participated in the Ascension Competition, so I didn''t have time to attend classes." "I know." Waving his hand, Zhu Huacang organized his words and patiently began to explain. "The practice of the Eight Basic Forces is just form; its purpose is to build a ladder to comprehend the Ultimate Law." "It can be said that even if you practice the Basic Force to Great Perfection, without comprehending the Power of Laws, it is just an ordinary Fighting Technique." "And once you master the Power of Laws and enter the mysterious realm, this Basic Force becomes a Complete Body that combines divine form and essence, allowing you to withstand a fighter of a higher energy level without disadvantage in a short time." "By the way, as an aside, if on this basis you can also integrate and use other Basic Forces simultaneously, then defeating someone above your level would be like slaughtering a chicken for you!" "Continuing from there, if you can ascend to hegemony level, you will earn a prestigious title." "What title?" Facing the young man''s curious eyes, Zhu Huacang smiled and uttered four words. "Chinese Martial God." "??!" I''ve heard that title somewhere before! Satisfied to see the young man''s pupils expand in shock, Zhu Huacang patted his shoulder with an encouraging look. "A thousand-mile journey begins with a single step. As long as you continue striving, I believe one day you will also earn this title." "Well... I..." Zhu Huacang waved his hand, interrupting Zhu Haomiao and offering heartfelt comfort. "Don''t get discouraged, Martial Gods usually develop gradually at the Middle Heavenly Position. You''re still young, no need to rush." "..." Hesitating to speak a few times, Zhu Haomiao finally couldn''t resist and asked bluntly. "Uncle Zhu, if I can use all eight Basic Forces simultaneously and comprehend the laws of two Basic Forces, while also being at the hegemony level, does that make me a [Martial God]?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Huacang chuckled with a grin. "Of course, it does. However, although dreams are great, avoid aiming too high. [Eight Forces Combined] is just an illusory fantasy. Don''t get lost in it." "Moreover, if you comprehend the laws of two Basic Forces and can use them simultaneously, you wouldn''t be just any Martial God, but a [Dual-Polar Martial God]." "Dual-Polar Martial God?" Carefully savoring these four words, Zhu Haomiao excitedly pursued further. "What if I comprehend more Basic Laws and can use them simultaneously?" Chapter 190 - 190: Eight Extremes Martial God "Third-level Martial God, Fourth-level Martial God, and so on, until theoretically the ''Eight Extremes Martial God''." "Eight Extremes Martial God..." While muttering to himself, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the illusionary page in the Book of Black, feeling as if it wasn''t particularly difficult. On the other side, Zhu Huacang looked at the passionate youth full of dreams and eager to try, his eyes filled with the shadow of his younger self, and he smiled with kindly admiration. "Don''t rush, you''re still young. When you first encounter the Illusion Realm, focus on gaining experience, try to avoid death, lay a solid foundation step by step, and eventually ascend at hegemony level to consider it a success..." "By the way, you''ve been participating in the competition for a few months, have you ascended to Silver?" Zhu Huacang habitually inquired about the younger generation''s achievements, not expecting Zhu Haomiao to shake his head with a peculiar expression. "Then... Bronze?" Before he finished speaking, Zhu Huacang reacted himself. "That shouldn''t be the case, you''ve comprehended the Raging Wave Realm, how could it be Bronze?" "Then it must be Golden Level. You''ve caught up with others'' years of hard cultivation in just a few months, impressive!" As expected of the Abyss, this growth speed is like riding a rocket... Hearing Zhu''s uncle''s pointed praise, Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips and hesitantly spoke. "Well... not Golden Level either." "Huh?" Zhu Huacang was slightly stunned, realizing the seriousness of the situation, he stared at Zhu Haomiao with a solemn gaze. Under his gaze, Zhu Haomiao was slightly spooked, and decisively opened his jacket revealing a mysterious and noble purple-gold luster. "It''s dominance level." Zhu Huacang: "..." Seeing Zhu Haomiao about to speak, Zhu Huacang abruptly waved his hand. "Hold on, don''t say anything, let me think about it." After serious thinking and careful analysis, Zhu Huacang''s furrowed brows slowly relaxed, looking at Zhu Haomiao with a gaze filled with amazement and acceptance. "Four months to ascend to dominance level, though it''s outrageous, but thinking it''s you, it feels understandable..." But right after speaking, Zhu Huacang suddenly realized something, his pupils shrank sharply. "Wait, you just asked if you could simultaneously use the eight basic forces, and understood two basic strength principles, still at hegemony level, could you be considered a Martial God?" "Could it be..." Seeing Zhu Huacang''s terrifying and wildly trembling pupils, Zhu Haomiao shyly smiled. "Hehe." What the hell, man! Zhu Huacang only felt his long-held tranquility in his heart severely shaken, blood pressure surging waves, asked with a slightly strained voice, urgently. "Can you really use all eight basic forces simultaneously?" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao evaluated in his heart, cautiously answered. "I should be able to, but probably only with the power of one strike." The difficulty of the Miracle of Eight Forces Combined is too great, his attribute of God probably can''t support it, but a desperate strike should be achievable... Hearing the young man''s confident response, Zhu Huacang once again felt the long-missed vigorous heartbeat. Phew~ Using heavy breaths to suppress the throbbing at his heart, Zhu Huacang continued to ask. "Besides Raging Wave Realm, which other basic law have you comprehended?" "The law of Gale Force." Swoosh~ Almost the moment Zhu Haomiao finished speaking, five aged, slender fingers brushed past his ear. A fraction of a second later, the electric-like chilling fear surged straight from the coccyx to the top of the skull. It was only at this moment that Zhu Haomiao realized he had been attacked, but before his brain could react, his body instinctively responded, evading the sudden, unprovoked assault. "Spirit Rhinoceros Realm." Zhu Huacang murmured, gently patting Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder, looking into the virtual space with a complicated gaze that the young man could not understand, expression melancholy. Principal... releasing such a monster into the All Heavens Illusion Realm... allowing it to grow... Is it truly alright? On the other side, understanding that Zhu Huacang was just testing his realm, the frightened Zhu Haomiao gradually calmed down, looking in amazement at the familiar gatekeeper, seemingly recognizing him for the first time. Central Super really is full of hidden talents, even a random gatekeeper has such skills? Then how strong must the tutor professors be?! Only after a long time did Zhu Huacang calm his complex internal emotions, letting out a long sigh. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Raging Wave, Spirit Rhinoceros, I did not expect the two most difficult high-rank laws to fuse were both simultaneously mastered by you..." After speaking, he realized something, stared at Zhu Haomiao with eyes like looking at a monster. "Four months, First Layer Heaven, Dual-Polar Martial God, young man, you''ve made history." "Huh?" Ignoring Zhu Haomiao''s confused expression, Zhu Huacang seemed unwilling to elaborate and changed the topic. "Back to your initial question, what is the high-rank power of the eight basic forces." "By now you should know, the high-rank power of Stacked Waves Strength is called Raging Wave; you''re very familiar with its specific effectiveness, so there''s no need for me to elaborate." "The high-rank power of Gale Force is called Spirit Rhinoceros, derived from the idea of ''mutual understanding''." "The high-rank power of Storage Explosion is called Mountain Shattering." "The high-rank power of Armor Breaking Power is called Conquer." "The high-rank power of Penetration Force is called Thunderbolt." "The high-rank power of Flying Radiance Skill is called Star Fall." "The high-rank power of Heavenly Gang Power is called Imprisonment." "The high-rank power of Sealing Demon Power is called Soul Devouring." "These high-rank powers can be glimpsed from their names in terms of power." "However, these are only the initial forms of the eight basic forces. As one ascends in Heavenly Position, they also strengthen, until restored..." Pausing at this, Zhu Huacang suddenly stopped, and Zhu Haomiao, who was eagerly listening on the side, couldn''t help but ask. "Restore what?" Hearing the question, Zhu Huacang was silent for a moment, then suddenly revealed a mischievous elder''s smile. "Not telling you." Zhu Haomiao: "..." Can the riddler get lost from Gotham? "Hahaha, now that you''ve ascended to dominance and acquired the Key, when the Yanhuang Armory opens, you''ll naturally know." Seeing the indescribable expression of the young man, Zhu Huacang, filled with mischievous delight, patted his shoulder, turned around, and left. Me, the Human God of the nine-layered heaven, being startled by you, at least let you feel uncomfortable too. Watching the old man''s figure disappear around the corner, Zhu Haomiao only then withdrew his gaze, suspiciously furrowing his brows. Yanhuang Armory?! Are the high-rank powers of the eight basic forces related to the Yanhuang Armory? What on earth is the Key? After pondering for a long time, Zhu Haomiao once again looked in the direction where the old man disappeared. This gatekeeper... is not simple... But he could not grasp just how not simple. Just then, an excited call reached his ears, turning his head to see Diao Chan standing on his shoulder, holding a half-eaten, still twitching cicada, thrusting it towards his mouth like offering a treasure. Chapter 191 - 191: What a Sinful Woman "Good cicada! Love cicada!" "..." Looking at the cicada, which had no head but whose several legs were still wriggling and kicking wildly, Zhu Haomiao forced a smile and declined. "I won''t eat it. You eat it yourself." "No cicada???" Diao Chan tilted its head, blinked its eyes bewilderedly, not understanding why the owner would refuse something so delicious. After two seconds, it swiftly stuffed the cicada into its mouth. Chomp chomp~ Watching that small mouth move around, Zhu Haomiao''s head throbbed with a frown. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "From now on, after eating those random things, don''t lick me!" "Cicada?" Before Diao Chan''s small brain could figure it out, a phone ringtone rang from his pocket. The young man took it out and couldn''t help but smile faintly. "Hello, senior sister." "Shui!! You''re finally back!" "Hmm." "Hurry over, Cangcang is about to starve. Before dying, he wants to eat your cooking." "Hmm?? I... mmph mmph mmph..." Vaguely hearing Li Cang''s muffled sobs, Zhu Haomiao chuckled and smiled. "Alright, I''ll be there soon." "Then we''ll go buy groceries first. You can come straight into the house when you arrive." "Hmm." After hanging up the phone, Zhu Haomiao loosened his sore and tired limbs and stepped toward the villa area not far from the school. A familiar route through community face recognition, and using a fingerprint to open the big gate of Ye Wan Ning''s villa yard. Just as the young man was about to walk in, he suddenly heard a loud shout. "Stop!" Turning his head, he saw a young man, in his twenties, with a handsome face staring at him intensely, his unfriendly eyes as if evaluating a thief. Clearly feeling a misunderstanding, Zhu Haomiao patiently explained. "Security officer, I''m not a bad person..." Before finishing his sentence, the young man''s face twitched, roaring with shame and anger. "I am not the security guard!!!" "..." Not knowing why he was so angry, Zhu Haomiao still awkwardly smiled apologetically. "Sorry." Despite the polite apology, the young man inexplicably sensed a high and mighty mockery, and wicked anger bubbled up. Smack~ Grabbing Zhu Haomiao''s wrist, the young man, without a word, dragged him away. "Come! Follow me to the property management!" The sudden physical contact made the young man''s brow furrow, a hint of madness and violent blood flashing deep in his pupils. [Anger]! Whiz~ Raising his hand to flick the wrist, Zhu Haomiao easily broke free from the constraint, his polite smile gradually disappearing, impatiently frowning. "Who the hell are you?" On the other side, the young man looked in disbelief at the slender youth, then at his own tiger mouth, unable to comprehend where that terrifying brute strength had come from! After a brief shock, the young man was even more furious, coldly smiling at the young man, making his fingers crack. "I am a property owner here, specially dealing with thieves like you!!" "Kid! Don''t make me use force!" Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his irritated anger, and explained again in as calm a tone as possible. "I''m also a homeowner here, not a thief." "Ha! Which family?" "This one right here." Pointing to Ye Wan Ning''s villa beside him, Zhu Haomiao''s explanation only made the young man burst into laughter. Then, the young man''s face turned cold, staring at Zhu Haomiao with an oppressive look. "This is my old classmate''s house, and there are only two people! I''ve never heard of a third owner!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized something, smiling slightly with an understanding that was both like a laugh and not a laugh. "Well, today you''ve met one." "You!" Not expecting the thief to be so arrogant, embers were red in the young man''s eyes, just about to take action when a sweet voice suddenly came from behind. "Xu Shengjie! What are you doing?!" Not far away, Ye Wan Ning hung large and small bags on Li Cang, storming over angrily. Xu Shengjie''s momentum dissipated instantly, showing a cautiously fawning smile. "Wan Ning, I..." "Wan Ning is what you call her? Are we that familiar?" Not giving him any face, Ye Wan Ning walked past him coldly, wrapping her arm around Zhu Haomiao''s shoulder. "I warn you, stop yelling at my boyfriend!" "???!!" Zhu Haomiao was stunned, about to open his mouth when Ye Wan Ning''s voice suddenly echoed in his mind. "Please cooperate, there will be a great reward! Please, please~" Hearing Ye Wan Ning''s soft plea, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for several seconds before decisively raising his head, surveying the young man with a victor''s superior look gazing at a defeated dog, his lips curling with contempt. But it was this subtle expression that instantly broke Xu Shengjie''s defense, as if an arrow had pierced his heart, he staggered back two steps, his eyes flitting between the two of them, trying to find an unnatural flaw. "How can an immature child like him be worthy of you?" "Wan Ning, you''re lying to me, aren''t you?" Ye Wan Ning rolled her eyes, sighed deeply, her heart weary. "Don''t be so self-conscious, our relationship isn''t deep enough to intentionally deceive you..." "No! You must be lying to me, I don''t believe it!" Seeing Xu Shengjie still immersed in his own world, unwilling to face reality, Ye Wan Ning couldn''t even be bothered to answer, turning her head and giving Zhu Haomiao a quick peck on the lips, then looking at him with an impatient gaze. Clearly saying nothing yet saying everything, Xu Shengjie looked as if he''d seen his wife cheating right in front of him, stepping back two steps, face bloodless, breathing more labored, his eyes gradually filling with bloodshot. In the midst of all this, Zhu Haomiao sensed his Spirit''s [Anger] and [Jealousy] expanding like a volcano, struggling to break free of the [Dao Heart]''s restraints, ready to erupt uncontrollably. Zhu Haomiao instinctively stepped forward, shielding Ye Wan Ning behind him. But at this moment, Li Cang, covered in bags large and small, walked to Xu Shengjie''s side, shot him a sharp narrow glance. In an instant, the cold blade-like gaze chilled him to the core, instantly clearing Xu Shengjie''s distorted eyes. "Don''t do anything stupid." Calmly warned, Li Cang, carrying large and small bags of food, walked straight through the door. Ye Wan Ning also dragged Zhu Haomiao behind, leaving Xu Shengjie standing dumbfounded, watching stupidly as the three of them disappeared behind the door. Bang~ "No!!!!!" With the door closing, Zhu Haomiao heard a mournful wail echo behind him, an image of a man slowly kneeling on the ground vividly before his eyes, the familiar BGM echoing in his ears. Snowflakes fluttering, the north wind howling... The world, vast and desolate... Pressing his lips into a wry smile, Zhu Haomiao glanced at the stunning beauty beside him who breathed a sigh of relief, wanting to say something but stopping short. What a sinful woman... On the other side, Ye Wan Ning misunderstood, rolling her eyes at him. "I get it, Xu Shengjie is your buddy, your dear friend, right? Ten thousand bucks." Chapter 192 - 192: Its Open, But Not Completely Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao suddenly remembered the main issue, his expression turning serious as he retorted with righteous indignation. "Senior sister, it''s not about brotherhood or anything, the key is my innocence!" "What do you want then?" "I need more money!" "..." "Isn''t it all the same in the end?!" "It''s not the same!" "How''s it not the same?" "My innocence is more expensive! Ten thousand isn''t enough!" "..." "Twenty thousand, not a penny more!" "Fifty thousand! You''re only losing money, but I''m losing my reputation!!" "Thirty thousand, take it or leave it!" "Deal!" Listening to the goofy conversation behind him, Li Cang silently rolled his eyes and carried all the bags into the kitchen. On the other side, upon checking the bank deposit notification, Zhu Haomiao''s face immediately lit up with joy. "Senior sister, feel free to find me for this kind of business in the future, I''m a pro at generating hatred!" Seeing the boy pat his chest and give a thumbs up while grinning foolishly, Ye Wan Ning kicked him on the leg with annoyance. "Go make dinner!" "Got it!" "Chirp~" Just then, a small head popped out from Zhu Haomiao''s collar, curiously looking around. "Oh~ Diao Chan, long time no see, did you miss your sister~" Watching Ye Wan Ning shower her big ferret with affection, Zhu Haomiao hesitated, wanting to tell her that this sneaky creature just ate a cicada raw. But after a moment of hesitation, he swallowed his words and went to the kitchen to prepare a feast. Some things are better left unknown... Then, with Li Cang skillfully assisting, and relying on the Authority of Gluttony, Zhu Haomiao quickly whipped up an extraordinary meal with perfect color, aroma, and taste. With her mouth watering, Ye Wan Ning sneakily tried to grab a bite, only to have Zhu Haomiao smack her hand with chopsticks. "Ow~" "Wash your hands!" Feeling wronged, Ye Wan Ning pouted, shot a glare at the boy, and angrily walked to the washroom, soon returning with wet hands, grabbing the bewildered Diao Chan and messing up its soft white fur. Diao Chan: "..." Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Chirp~" "What''s with the chirp? The pet pays the master''s debt! It''s only right! If I can''t handle the big ones, I can still deal with you!" "Evil fleece is just right for drying hands! Heh heh heh~" Listening to Ye Wan Ning''s childish sinister laughter, and recalling her cold and distant demeanor when facing Xu Shengjie earlier, the stark contrast made Zhu Haomiao inexplicably think of a saying. Your goddess of cool majesty is somebody else''s foolish clown... Shaking his head with a smile, Zhu Haomiao worked at full speed on the last dish, sweet and sour ribs, simmering them with high heat to finish. "Dinner''s ready!" Using delicacies to rescue Diao Chan from the "evil witch''s" grasp, Ye Wan Ning sat at the dining table, faced with a tableful of delectable dishes, gazing at Zhu Haomiao with eyes full of admiration. "You''re amazing, Shui!" "Hehe." The boy smiled quietly, distributed the bowls and chopsticks, and, pressing down on Gluttony, slowly and "elegantly" began eating. "Chirp chirp chirp~" On the side, seeing the three of them eating with relish, Diao Chan frantically clawed at Zhu Haomiao''s sleeve, its little pink tongue licking its lips repeatedly, so anxious it almost spoke human words. Seeing this, Zhu Haomiao stopped his chopsticks and prepared a small bowl for it, putting some food in it. "Chirp~" Watching Diao Chan devour hungrily, a thought struck the boy, and he asked the other two. "By the way, this guy seems like it might learn to speak human, will there be any issues?" Upon hearing this, the two immediately put down their chopsticks, staring at Diao Chan with eyes full of surprise. "Can it gain spiritual wisdom? Then it might have Great Demon bloodline, quite a talent..." "Diao Chan, say sister." "Chirp chirp~" "Not chirp chirp, it''s sister." "Chirp~" Having no time for Ye Wan Ning, Diao Chan buried its head in eating, its little mouth constantly busy. Faced with the skeptical gazes of the two, Zhu Haomiao helplessly grinned. "Let''s talk after it''s done eating." Minutes later, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang set down their chopsticks, looking at the continuously eating boy with envious and pained eyes. "Shui, you eat so deliciously... but my stomach is so full, uncomfortable..." Craving yet stuffed, Ye Wan Ning swallowed her saliva, shifting her resentful gaze to Diao Chan, who was happily licking its paws. She grabbed it, held it belly-up in her arms, and with a vicious grin, threatened. "Tell! Are you a spy infiltrated into my ranks!" "Chirp?" "Pretending not to understand? Let me teach you to speak human!" "Me, sister!" "Him, Cangcang." "Him, Shuishui." Looking around confusedly following Ye Wan Ning''s finger, Diao Chan blinked its big watery eyes, suddenly understanding something, and excitedly barked at Zhu Haomiao. "Shuishui!" Eyes lighting up, Ye Wan Ning immediately asked. "What about me? What am I?" "Chirp chirp!" "Not chirp chirp, it''s sister!!" "Chirp~" Seeing the person and pet speaking past each other, Li Cang thoughtfully looked at Zhu Haomiao. "It has indeed gained spiritual wisdom, but it seems not fully." "..." "Besides, are you sure you want Ye Zi teaching it to speak?" "What do you mean?" Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Haomiao heard Ye Wan Ning pointing at Diao Chan and teaching. "You, mouse, you''re a mouse mouse!" "Lao Xu! Xuxu!!" Hearing Diao Chan''s excited squeals, Zhu Haomiao covered his face in despair, immediately understanding Li Cang''s concern. You can''t let a crazy person handle the education of a child! ...... Over the next few days, Zhu Haomiao tried several times to reclaim "custody" of Diao Chan, but was heartlessly refused by the eager-to-teach Ye Wan Ning. When pushed, she even stuffed Diao Chan into her chest, shamelessly acting like a spoiled brat. Seeing the big ferret trapped in the grand bosom unable to move, Zhu Haomiao could only shed tears of envy, jealousy, and hatred. Soon, after spending a few days as a full-time cook at Ye Wan Ning''s villa, the relaxed vacation of real-world rest flew by, and it was time to return to the Illusion Realm. Saying goodbye to the reluctant Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang, Zhu Haomiao took Diao Chan back to the dorm, pushed open the symbolic Gate, crossed the chaotic film of reality and illusion, and once again arrived in the Illusion Realm. On another side, in a dark and silent underground "sleeping tomb", a long-slumbering boy slowly opened his eyes, as his consciousness descended back into his body, and the massive reserved energy began to stir and awaken. Buzz~ The escaping energy rippled like water, spreading throughout the entire underground, creating visible ripples, until Zhu Haomiao''s consciousness fully cleared, managing and controlling the wild power. Once everything returned to peace, as if waking from a dream, Zhu Haomiao reconnected with his previous memories, eagerly directing his attention to the Book of Black. [Storage Explosion]: LV.4¡úLV.6 (Perfect¡¤Mountain Shattering) [Qi] +10 [Body] +6 [Strength] +5 Chapter 193 - 193: This is the Enlightenment of Civilization [Double Pupation] combined with [Continuous Transformation], the two High Rank Authorities of [Sloth] merged together. In just one rest period, [Storage Explosion] leveled up twice, reaching the Great Perfection Realm. After seeing the words [Mountain Shattering] following Perfect, Zhu Haomiao vaguely understood that as his self-awareness increased, the information in the [Book of Black] would become more detailed. Squeezing his fist, Zhu Haomiao was eager to experience the power of [Mountain Shattering], but as he attempted, a terrifying aura of wild brutality quietly descended. In a daze, the young man felt incredibly stifled and oppressed, as if trapped in a small box, wanting to instantly unleash all his power and tear the entire world apart! Whew~ Exhaling a breath of stale air, Zhu Haomiao decisively canceled his power, relaxed his energy, and calmed the restless violent aura. Whether or not the High Rank Power of [Storage Explosion] could tear the world apart was unknown, but his beloved Safe House surely wouldn''t survive! Better to use it on enemies in the future... He wondered which lucky individual would have the chance to experience the power of [Mountain Shattering]... With anticipation, Zhu Haomiao licked his lips, organized his thoughts, and continued to scroll down. [God]: 52¡ú61 (19)¡ü [Dexterity]: 47¡ú56 (19)¡ü [Strength]: 58¡ú67 (12)¡ü [Essence]: 51¡ú60 (7)¡ü [Qi]: 58¡ú67 (17)¡ü [Body]: 59¡ú68 (7)¡ü As he thoroughly consolidated the Hegemony Level, the world''s suppression of him also strengthened, and with several days of quadruple Deep Sleep growth, the Six-dimensional Attributes only averaged a digestion of 9 points. With dissatisfaction, Zhu Haomiao pursed his lips and sighed deeply. Can''t completely digest, can''t completely digest! He wondered how other Transcendents solved the problem of too much accumulation... They didn''t have [Deep Sleep], didn''t have [Pupation], and no quadruple-speed growth; did they just endure it through time? How tiresome! Smacking his lips, Zhu Haomiao shook his head in incomprehension, picked up the dark treasure sword beside him, tied it to his waist, and strode out the door. Exiting the concealed passage, the young man sped along until he reached the suburban roads of the Magic City. Dressed in a suit and leather shoes, Wilson, who had been waiting for a long time, opened the rear door of a dark sedan, nodding respectfully. "My lord, the sacrificial ceremony is ready." "Hmm, let''s go." ......... Shanghai¡¤Public Leased Territory In the dark and damp dungeon, a blonde, blue-eyed young man looked at an Asian woman with rotting limbs and no healthy parts on her body, helplessly shrugged at his colleague. "Seems like she really doesn''t know anything." "Sigh... another false lead, such a waste of time!" Glancing at the dying Asian woman, Niksa Labres frowned with disgust, impatiently waving a hand. "Get rid of her." A prison guard with a rat tail hairstyle hurried over, smiling obsequiously. "Sir, what about her child¡­" "Useless, dispose of them together." With an opportunity to eat orphans, the prison guard''s eyes lit up, and he quickly agreed. "Yes, sir!" On the other side, the woman, who was at death''s door, suddenly found a burst of strength upon hearing this, pulling the chain through her scapula taut, and screamed hoarsely. "Don''t touch my child! Or I''ll haunt you even as a ghost!!!" The sudden shriek startled the prison guard, making him nearly trip to the ground. After a moment of fear, feeling embarrassed in front of the foreigner, the prison guard became angry out of shame and slapped the woman across the face. "Fucking crazy bitch, I''ll soon send that little brat to join you!" On the other side, staring into the woman''s resentful and sinister eyes, Niksa Labres curled his lips coldly. "I''d love to see how you won''t let me go. Bring her child." Hearing this, the prison guard viciously glared at the woman, sneered, and walked away. Not long after, a skeletal, dying little girl was thrown in front of the woman. "Xiaoqian! Xiaoqian!" The woman frantically called her daughter''s nickname, her mournful voice like a cuckoo crying blood. In just over ten days, not knowing what torture she''d endured, her once chubby and cute daughter had become like this! Hearing a familiar voice calling her, the little girl struggled to lift her head, and in her blurred vision saw a disheveled figure. Vaguely, she understood who it was, her lips quivering with grievance. "Mom¡­" The little girl reached out her small hand, wanting to return to that familiar warm embrace. Crack~ But the next moment, an iron boot snapped her spine, and crushed her chest, freezing her small hand forever just inches from her mother. A torrent of blood and fragments of internal organs sprayed from her mouth, and her raised hand slowly lowered, her tear-filled eyes widening and covering with a layer of ash. Staring vacantly at her daughter''s eyes that refused to close, the woman''s pupils shrunk to the size of needle tips. "Come on, how won''t you let me go?!!" Letting Niksa Labres grab her hair and slap her face repeatedly. The terrible force shattered the bones of her face, causing a gush of blood from her mouth and nose, but the woman''s gaze stayed fixed on her daughter''s corpse, like a living corpse, without any reaction. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Niksa, stop playing around, we need to report back to our superior." Standing at the dungeon door, the blue-eyed, blonde young man urged impatiently. Hearing this, Niksa Labres released the woman''s hair, lost interest, and smacked his lips. Kicking the little girl''s corpse to the corner like trash, Niksa Labres straightened his immaculate attire, and stepped out to catch up with his colleague. "Leave the aftermath to the locals, why are you bothering with her?" "Those lowly yellow-skinned monkeys dare to defy us; I''d like to show her true despair!" "You''re still so twisted." "Twisted? This is the enlightenment of civilization!" ...... Laughing and chatting, the two left the dungeon and approached a tall building nearby. Standing before a luxurious and elegant solid wood door, the two adjusted their collars before respectfully knocking. Knock knock~ "Come in." With a mellow, deep voice, the two opened the door and entered, slightly bowing to Hiram, who was going through files. "So, any new leads?" Without looking up, Hiram asked, and Niksa Labres shook his head helplessly. "No, confirmed another false lead." "Hmm, tidy up the loose ends a bit; colonial officials have been protesting again." Unsurprised, Hiram nodded slightly and casually instructed before waving his hand, prompting the two subordinates to knowingly bow and exit. Only after the door closed did Hiram put down the files in his hand, tiredly pinching his brows. Having been in the Far East for months, the culprit of the [Blood-colored Banquet] seemed to have vanished from this world, never appearing again! Chapter 194 - 194: Praise the Primordial Sin Even though Hiram pursued every conceivable lead without letting anything slip by, and despite involving countless people who died of pestilence, which left the colonial officials complaining bitterly, he found no valuable evidence. The killer seemed to have sprung from the stone, with no social ties, committing a crime of passion without any warning, then disappearing without a trace. He even purposely held a few gatherings for Brittania officers, attempting to lure the culprit into a trap, but the adversary did not bite. Stroking the stubble on his chin, Hiram sighed deeply, but his heart was calm. Because he knew that, as a chosen one, as long as he ardently desired something, the heavens would naturally grant him revelation. Perhaps it would be some insignificant clue... Or maybe a sudden hunch... With patient prayers, the divine revelation would eventually arrive at the right time! Drawing a cross before his chest with devotion, Hiram closed his eyes, trying to capture the mysterious guidance from the void, as he usually did. But this time, a subtle, peculiar sensation tugged at his spirit. A sudden Heavenly Human Sensing made him snap his eyes open and look in a certain direction, as if his gaze pierced through time and space, seeing a vague figure concealed in the shadows. His lips curled slightly into a smile, and Hiram pressed the call bell on the desk, sneering and murmuring. "Finally caught you." "Third Round Table Knight Order, assemble!" ...... "Awooo ahhhh~~" At the center of the altar deep underground, hundreds of criminals guilty of every conceivable sin hovered midair, bodies spiraling and twisting uncontrollably, gradually vanishing under an invisible mighty force. Blood, brain matter, bone marrow, youth, health, lifespan, strength, joy... All valuable Source Quality was extracted, condensed and purified under the Authority of [Greed], transforming into one enticing shining gold coin after another. [Greed] +300 [Greed]: LV.6¡úLV.7£¨219/3000£© [God] +10 [Qi] +6 [Essence] +5 After a sacrificial ritual, the almost advanced [Greed] finally leveled up. In the unseen realm, Zhu Haomiao sensed he had broken through some boundary, leading to an indescribable bizarre transformation. Following instinctual guidance, he instinctively turned to look at Wilson, standing respectfully beside him, his gaze emanating a chaotic dark light penetrating flesh and time, seeing a fleeting shadow deep in Wilson''s soul. That... was his projection! sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Was his Divinity! Was his guidepost! Was a part of his existence! When his physical body perished, his will would awaken in Wilson''s soul, resurrecting from his flesh! Moreover, if [Greed] continued to rise, and as other believers'' Infection Rates surpassed a certain threshold, he would be able to resurrect in the flesh of any believer¡ªUndying and Immortal! Basking in the insatiable and hungry gazes of all believers, Zhu Haomiao''s lips curled into an uncontrollable, mad grin. Indulge in greed, my lambs... With a casual wave, the small gold mountain hovering over the Corpse Pyramid transformed into a meteor shower, falling into each believer''s hand. Cradling the [greed coin], all believers knelt piously, fervently chanting in the direction of Zhu Haomiao. "Enter through me into the city of endless pain." "Enter through me into the pit of eternal woe." "Enter through me into the doomed throng." "Chaos moved my exalted creator." "I am the crystallization of Divine Authority, divine will, and divine love." "Before me, no eternal creation existed." "I shall endure, immortal with the Source." "Those who enter shall abandon all hope." "Praise the Primordial Sin!" Frenzied and distorted whispers echoed in his ears, the shining gold coins turning into a thick, ink-black liquid, seeping into the skin, into the marrow, into the soul... Eventually, even the sea of consciousness became infiltrated by the black light, pollution spreading in vast dark areas. Noting the believers'' rising [Infection Rate], Zhu Haomiao cast a glance at the emotionless Wilson beside him, a hint of amusement on his lips. "Did you teach them?" "No, this is your gracious revelation." "I haven''t opened the [Gate of Hell]." With a wry smile, Zhu Haomiao quickly dismissed the minor matter and took inventory of his gains this time. Recently, his [greed coin] reserves were nearly depleted, and one significant reason for returning to Shanghai was to reap... uh, no, to fight evil and restore peace to Shanghai. Looking at the nearly two hundred [greed coins] left after deducting ''kickbacks'' and ''development funds,'' Zhu Haomiao nodded in satisfaction. Indeed, it takes evil to grind evil; ever since his wicked believer minions began preparing the sacrifices, he just needed to sit and wait for his ''share.'' Meanwhile, Shanghai''s public security situation improved exponentially. With the elimination of petty criminal leaders and the adherence of the top-level villains to a basic rule set under his restraint, the common folk suddenly found life no longer as unbearable. Though they still faced exploitation, it was no longer as cruel, bloody, and blatant as before... They were even afforded brief breaths of respite under the rule system''s protection, catching glimpses of hope''s faint light. For the vast majority of the common people, even a tyrannical order was better than the chaotic dark forest. Gazing at the shriveled Corpse Pyramid stacked at the altar''s center, Zhu Haomiao whispered with genuine tranquility. "Though my aesthetic may be slightly ahead, I truly am a good boy." Ringing~~~ Just then, the concealed alarm suddenly blared, Wilson abruptly looking outside with eyes gleaming black light. "Enemies are attacking; the guards outside can''t hold them." Zhu Haomiao raised his eyes in surprise, lips curling in intrigued anticipation. Finally, someone''s here to challenge? "You all leave through the secret passage; I''ll go have a look." "My lord, although I''m unsure how the enemy found this place, if possible, it would be best not to let them signal for reinforcements." "Noted." Casually waving a hand, and with Wilson''s respectful salute, Zhu Haomiao turned into a dark flowing light, vanishing instantly into the passage depths. "Ah!!" Exiting the passage, the cool moonlight illuminated the earth, when a desperate scream echoed from nearby, the youth witnessing the last Death Soldier guard meeting a gruesome end under enemy blades. Looking around, figures donned in splendid Platinum Armor surrounded him, a terrifying aura constricting the air around them, seemingly frozen several meters wide. "1, 2, 3, 4..." Counting heads with interest, Zhu Haomiao discovered over thirty adept charge attack experts! Chapter 195 - 195: Kill If You Want The most crucial thing was the boy smelled a strong aura of sin on them, with terrifying resentful curses swirling around, as if countless vengeful spirits were howling and roaring visibly. Feeling the fresh and overwhelming curses, Zhu Haomiao''s initially eager brows furrowed slightly, a trace of anger appearing in his eyes. How many people have been mercilessly killed to accumulate such massive negative energy? Just as the boy''s killing intent began to rise, a tall and burly figure stepped forward from the crowd, approaching him with a forceful aura that stirred the heavens and the earth. In a daze, Zhu Haomiao felt as if the entire world was toppling toward him, an irresistible pressure from the heavens and the earth weighing on him, as if intending to crush him into dust. The Child of Destiny! Facing the opponent, Zhu Haomiao instantly realized who the enemy was. He discreetly observed the intricate and ornate lion emblem on the enemy''s armor, and his excitement bubbled like a volcano ready to erupt. On the other side, Hiram was also observing the enemy, but he couldn''t align the handsome, jade-like slender boy in front of him with the information about the tall, monstrous villain with a tusked face. However, an inexplicable divine revelation told him that the boy before him was indeed the one he sought. No wonder he couldn''t be found, the intelligence personnel are all useless! Secretly cursing in his heart, Hiram fixed his gaze on the boy and bluntly asked. "Why did you instigate the massacre? What conspiracy do you have, and who''s backing you?" "Huh? What do you mean?" Seeing the boy feign ignorance, Hiram sneered coldly. "No need to pretend, do you still think you can escape? Confess early, and I can give you a quick death." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao frowned in confusion. "Who the hell are you? I''ve killed many people, how the hell should I know which one you''re talking about?" Feeling the boy''s genuine disdain and arrogance, the sneer on Hiram''s face gradually disappeared, and he squeezed out four words from between his teeth. "Blood-colored Banquet!" "Blood-colored Banquet?" The boy furrowed his brow in contemplation for a moment, then suddenly realized, smacking his palm. "Oh! I remember now!" "So it was you. Why did you attack Brittania''s officers? Who sent you?" Listening to Hiram''s stern questioning, Zhu Haomiao shrugged dismissively, smiling casually. "I just couldn''t stand that bunch of stupid dogs, so I killed them. What''s the big deal?" Seeing the boy''s nonchalant and easy-going smile, Hiram''s heart pounded furiously, the veins on his forehead bulging one by one. Reason told him this was the enemy''s lie to cover up the mastermind, but his instincts told him the enemy''s words seemed genuine. This boy truly believed that slaughtering a group of Brittania''s officers was as trivial as squashing a bunch of ants... He didn''t even seem to care about the matter! Such arrogance, treating The Sun Never Sets Empire like ants, pierced Hiram''s heart like a sharp arrow, filling him with unprecedented humiliation and anger. They were always the ones looking down on other races. Since when had they been viewed with such scorn by a yellow-skinned monkey? "Fine, fine, fine! Today, I''ll let you know the price of challenging the Empire''s authority." Hiram laughed in fury, readying to strike, but the boy suddenly vanished, turning into a shadow image and appearing beside a nearby Round Table Knight. "How dare you!!" With a tragic roar, Hiram''s eyes bulged in rage. In the flash of lightning and stone fire, he had no time to intervene, forced to watch as a brilliant sword light, as dazzling as water, tore the knight''s armor, decapitating him mercilessly. Sizzle~ In the rain of blood soaring into the sky, Zhu Haomiao casually tossed the helmeted head at the trembling Hiram, spreading his hands with an ambiguous smile. "So?" "Damn yellow-skinned monkey! I must kill you!" The blood-boiling taunting expression broke Hiram''s defenses in an instant, his towering platinum armor like a stream of light rushing across dozens of meters with devastating momentum toward Zhu Haomiao. As his gaze pierced through the enemy''s body, vaguely sensing the condensed pressure from the heavens and the earth behind him, the contempt in the boy''s eyes slightly diminished. He raised his treasure sword, ready for battle, and summoned his inner breath. In an instant, translucent ripples spread like waves. [Stacking Waves¡¤Fierce Tide]! [Penetration Force]! [Sealing Demon Power]! Boom! Hiram''s door-sized greatsword collided unceremoniously with Zhu Haomiao''s Eight-sided Han Sword, a ring of white mist expanding from the clashing blades, spreading instantly over a hundred meters. Visible supersonic shockwaves released in a bowl shape, clearing the grass within a radius of dozens of meters, revealing a shallow meteorite crater. Amidst the violent flying sand and stones, a dark figure flew backward from the collision center, crashing hundreds of meters away onto a hillside, blasting out a human-shaped crater. Seeing the enemy sent flying by Lord Hiram, the nearest Round Table Knight immediately charged, swinging his treasure sword towards the boy embedded in the ground. Meanwhile, having finally suppressed the strange force that penetrated and disrupted his internal organs like a living entity, Hiram deeply felt the enemy''s peculiarity. Seeing his subordinate recklessly charge in, he internally cursed. But his magical power, disturbed by the odd energy, couldn''t circulate quickly. In Hiram''s brief moment of rigidity, a sword light met his subordinate''s blade, rudely deflecting it aside. Clang~ The sound of metal clashing resonated, and seizing the opportunity of the enemy''s opening, Zhu Haomiao, having caught his breath, merged with his sword, sweeping over the enemy''s head like a stream of light. Slash~ S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. With [Armor Breaking Power] attached, the blade tore through the thick neck armor, decapitating the terrified enemy without mercy. After slaying one, Zhu Haomiao paused not a second, activating his [Lust] authority to restore the injuries within his internal organs, while charging toward the next enemy. A soft pink divinity circulated within his body, and within a few breaths, the pain widespread throughout his body quickly faded. Seeing the enemies forming a battle formation and closing in to flank him, a sinister smile rose on Zhu Haomiao''s lips. [Anger]! Boom! Bloody, ferocious red light burst from the depths of his pupils, blood-red threads forming a web appeared in his eye whites, spreading outward to cover the upper half of his face! Pain in his muscles, bones, and internal organs converted into pleasure resonating in his nerves, Zhu Haomiao revealed a twisted yet elated smile, swinging his treasure sword like a club without any technique, slamming it down heavily! "No! Combined Attack!" Sensing the enemy''s surge of momentum, the three men before him turned pale, their three swords instinctively meeting the attack in unison. Boom! Yet even with mental preparation, the brutal strength transmitted through their swords stunned them to their core. Their swords emitted a grievous wail, chipped the size of a thumb. Even with three of them sharing the pressure, the strike still sent blood spurting from their mouths as they flew backward. Chapter 196 - 196: Outer Realm Evil God However, after slicing three people with a single sword strike, Zhu Haomiao frowned in dissatisfaction. Following the primal desire for slaughter and bloodlust within, he casually tossed aside his treasure sword and charged forward like a wild beast. "Roar!!" Amid the roar resembling a giant carnivorous beast, Zhu Haomiao caught up with a knight who was flying backward, grabbed his ankle, and revealed a cruel, ferocious smile. The combined weight of man and armor exceeding a ton felt weightless in Zhu Haomiao''s hand. The youth''s muscles wriggled as if countless pythons were rolling under his skin. Effortlessly, he swung the ''human sword'' in his hand fiercely towards the oncoming Hiram. Hiram''s eyebrows twitched slightly, concerned for his subordinate''s life. He could only withdraw his sword to dodge. However, the enemy took advantage of the momentum to lift his hostage high over his head, ignoring his struggles and resistance, and ruthlessly smashed him downward. Boom! The terrifying knee, like a siege hammer, slammed into the knight''s waist, and the brutal force penetrated the armor and flesh, causing a visibly explosive radioactive shockwave in his abdomen. Crack~ With the added force from both hands pressing downward, what appeared to be an unbreakable warrior was cruelly bent into a reversed N-shape. "Ahhhhh!!" Amid the penetrating screams and the sound of metal twisting, the entire spine snapped at the waist and was folded together seamlessly by Zhu Haomiao like a toy. "Your so-called imperial majesty is just like this seemingly glamorous armor, unable to withstand a single blow." Watching the enemy grin viciously and use his bare hands to knead the empire''s latest Round Table Knight Armor into a twisted heap of scrap metal, with blood gushing from the gaps, everyone present felt their brows twitch erratically and their pupils involuntarily dilate. What kind of monster is this?! How could mere flesh possess such terrifying power? In their limited understanding, the magical technology of The Sun Never Sets Empire crushed the entire world! It''s impossible for mere flesh to combat magical steel! Actually, their perspective wasn''t wrong, it''s just that the enemy they faced at this moment came from another, broader true world. The extraordinary system of the Yanhuang Armory, combined with the authority of anger, created an inconceivable power beyond the locals'' comprehension. In a sense, they were facing a Heavenly Demon or perhaps a God from the Outer Realm! Casually throwing the scrap metal towards Hiram, bathing in the fearful, angry, wary, and resentful gazes of everyone, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath with delight. Since the last Blood-colored Banquet, he hadn''t released the Original Sin so deeply for a long time. And the advancement of anger to level 7 seemed to have broken some limit, though he hadn''t had the chance to experience it. Now, the hot, brutal, and violent energy flowed like viscous magma in his blood vessels, with a high-temperature red light blooming deep in the youth''s pupils, dyeing the entire eyeball an ominously dark red color. His originally thin and slender body wriggled and expanded at a visible speed, instantaneously transforming into a towering, over three-meter tall, muscular, and ferocious monster! Scattered blood-colored particles shrouded him like ethereal flames, flickering unstably. The invisible Stacking Waves¡¤Fierce Tide waves transformed into tangible blood waves, spreading wave after wave until they finally dissipated nearly a hundred meters away. Everyone on the battlefield felt an overwhelming and suffocating brutal divine might. And Hiram felt it more acutely, a power distinct from this world, belonging to an Outer Realm Evil God! Buzz~ Endless energy injected into his spirit and body, and all the negative emotions in Hiram''s mind gradually dissipated. With a cold and indifferent gaze, he stared intensely at the monster not far away. Guided by the world, he understood his mission. To eliminate this invading evil alien species and correct the deviating world line! Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao also looked up into the void, the blood-colored flames around him being compressed by the world rules, shrinking gradually until only a thin layer clung to his skin. "Want to bind and eliminate me? Too late..." Murmuring while gazing into the void, the over three-meter-tall monster slowly lowered his head, taking in the surrounding knights, who were on high alert, with a meaningful smirk. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Your ''white blood cells'' are nothing but nourishment for my growth..." Swish~ The colossal monster vanished from its spot with unexpected speed, while Hiram, wearing one of the Twelve Holy Knight Armor, similarly vanished with incredible speed, precisely intercepting Zhu Haomiao''s demonic grasp. Clang~ A pair of flesh palms collided with the door-panel-like sword, emitting a bone-chilling metallic scrapping sound. Separated by only a few centimeters of air, the sword blade and the transparent Gang Qi sparked spectacularly. After a brief stalemate, the sword edge tore through the Protective Gang Qi, cutting the skin emitting a crimson metallic sheen, ripping open a ferocious gash like a baby''s small mouth. Even with a body attribute of up to 68, combined with Hard Qi Skill, Heavenly Gang Power, and the authority of anger, it couldn''t block the enemy''s attack. Feeling waves of intense stabbing pleasure, Zhu Haomiao seemed to understand why Feng Zhaobai feared the Child of Destiny. Fighting against such an existence, you''re not only confronted with a specific ''person'', but simultaneously facing the suppression of the entire world! At this moment, the opponent was no longer a ''person'', but a personification, a manifestation, of the world''s suppressive force! I am fighting against the world! With newfound understanding, Zhu Haomiao didn''t feel nervous or afraid, instead, he grew even more excited with bloodthirsty desire. "Roar!" Roaring deafeningly, the over three-meter-tall monster punched towards Hiram, forcing him to parry with his sword. Stacking Waves¡¤Fierce Tide! Penetration Force! Sealing Demon Power! The strange forces penetrated the armor, reversing like a living creature into Hiram''s veins and flesh, frantically wreaking havoc on his vitality and disrupting the circulation of his magic. Boom! The heavy iron boots carved two deep furrows in the ground as Hiram was knocked back over ten meters, with a trace of metallic taste welling up in his throat. But the inexhaustible energy from the void instantly healed his wounds, obliterating the foreign force that had invaded his body, even giving him a blood-swelling sensation that he needed to vent. Swish~ Hiram halted his retreat, instantly launching forward with even greater ferocity towards Zhu Haomiao. Seeing the enemy coming at him proactively, Zhu Haomiao neither dodged nor avoided, letting out an excited roar, crashing into him with unwavering brashness. The predatory instinct deep within his soul activated, Zhu Haomiao craved killings, blood, and destruction... Boom! Boom! Boom! Fists, palms, feet, knees, elbows... Every part of his body transformed into a killing weapon, brutally clashing against the door-panel-sized sword. Every collision unleashed shockwaves that exploded and spread across the fields, echoing for miles in the tranquil night like thunder. Without a moment of respite for air recovery, both monsters seemed tireless, their power growing stronger and faster with every hit. Chapter 197 - 197: Eight Forces Combined In the previous second, Zhu Haomiao was struck into the ground by a sword, creating a small meteorite crater. In the next second, he charged out as if nothing had happened and punched the enemy, sending them flying dozens of meters. Amidst a continuous barrage of high-frequency collisions, Gang Wind howled within a hundred meters, uprooting all vegetation above ground, exposing the dark soil beneath. In just a few minutes, the battlefield had turned as pockmarked as the moon''s surface, with the terrifying scattered energy and shockwaves preventing anyone else from getting involved, leaving them to watch the battle between the two God Demon-like beings. Boom! With another clash of fists and feet, Zhu Haomiao vaguely felt the long-lost physical threshold; if he continued to rise, his body would no longer be able to support it. Yet the enemy''s power continued to expand endlessly, as if their spirit and body bore no corresponding burden. Thud! After a brief stalemate, the enemy''s power for the first time crushed Zhu Haomiao, forcibly breaking through his defenses, the door-shaped great sword carving a nimble and profound arc, striking hard on his exposed chest. Zzz~~ In the bone-chilling screech of friction, the sword blade tore through the protection of the "Heavenly Gang Power" and "Hard Qi Skill," slashing into flesh and unreservedly releasing all its destructive power. Boom! His body uncontrollably flew backward, turning into a straight beam of light, penetrating a small hillside hundreds of meters away, creating a huge radial crater. This time, Zhu Haomiao could no longer ignore his injuries; even biting down hard on his teeth, blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. With difficulty, he stood up from the meteorite crater, glancing at the ferocious sword mark over one meter long on his chest, deep enough to expose bone. Zhu Haomiao raised his gaze to the opponent approaching step by step with the might of heaven and earth, pursing his lips unwillingly. The ornate helmet''s eye sockets dissipated golden particles, and even through thick armor, Zhu Haomiao could feel the divine power within the enemy. Once, Zhu Haomiao thought his cheat made him invincible. But he never expected there were still experts! Lock Blood, Lock Blue, ultimate moves without cooldown, limitless power increase... Is this the Child of Destiny? Even cheats should follow Basic Strength Principles, okay? "Foolish sinner, accept the judgment of fate¡­" Layer upon layer, as if countless whispers echoed in his ears, Zhu Haomiao stared coldly, curling his lips as the enemy slowly raised the great sword. After the previous exchange, he knew that the Destiny Monster wasn''t invincible. The opponent still had a health bar and would lose blood; it was just that the fast regeneration made it seem like they weren''t losing any. As long as his damage exceeded the enemy''s tolerance limit and killed them in one shot, the suppressive force of this world would lose its personalized container and naturally fall silent. As long as they dare to show their health bar, even the Child of Destiny can be killed! With a plan in mind, Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath, eyes flickering with chaotic twisted black light. Over a hundred "greed coin" silently merged into his spirit and body, borrowing power from his future self along the river of time. At the same time, utilizing the High Rank authority of "greed" to "advance overdraft" time, he completed "Mountain Shattering," which originally required long preparation, in an instant. Subsequently, the authority of "Pride" was fully unleashed, merging the Eight Basic Force Laws into one. In a fleeting moment, Zhu Haomiao prepared, lifting his eyes to the imposing enemy with the raised sword, directly confronting the deeper layer of heavenly divinity. "Jealousy"! Following the creator''s will, the High Rank authority of "Jealousy" at LV.7 level instantly released, twisting cause and effect with supernatural authority, directly modifying reality from the conceptual layer, stealing and grafting the divine power blessing the enemy onto himself. Boom! Endless energy suddenly injected into Zhu Haomiao''s body. On the other side, the twisted whispers flashed past Hiram''s ears, and in an instant, the limitless power from heaven and earth was stolen by an eerie authority, detached from a higher dimensional layer, causing his about-to-burst momentum to plummet. In a rising and falling moment, Zhu Haomiao seized the brief opportunity and unleashed everything he had without hesitation. It was as if the process was cut out, the three-meter-tall hulking monster appeared instantaneously before Hiram, his fist imprinting onto his unguarded thick chest. "Eight Forces Combined"! "Mountain Shattering"! Explode! The concentrated destructive power didn''t leak out in the slightest, completely injected into the enemy''s body. For a moment, the battlefield fell into an eerie silence. Within tenths of a second, one of Brittania''s strongest Twelve Holy Knight Armors, crafted with national power, silently "melted." From the chest where the fist made contact, a barely noticeable black light rippled like water, turning everything, whether steel or flesh, into the finest powder. Eventually, the container bearing the world''s will could no longer maintain its form, the restrained violent destructive power beginning to overflow. Boom! The mighty and majestic knight disintegrated and melted, flesh transformed into a columnar jet over two meters in diameter erupting from Zhu Haomiao''s fist. The storm of steel and flesh-borne powder stormed onto the distant hills hundreds of meters away, instantly penetrating the center of the mountain, leaving an indiscernible deep, straight "tunnel." Boom! The leftover destructive power unleashed within the mountains, and after a quake, the tens-of-meter-high mountain shattered and collapsed into a chaotic small hill. Rumble~ Finally, managing to stand on shaking ground, the surviving Round Table Knights looked around blankly, trying to find the grand figure in their hearts. However, other than the monstrous devil, the powerful leader who led them to victory time and again was nowhere to be found. Realizing that one of the invincible Twelve Holy Knights, the great Lord Hiram, had been slain by the devil, unparalleled anger, fear, and dread surged in their hearts. The long-held sense of honor drove them to die as knights but the survival instinct told them not to commit suicide. Even Lord Hiram had fallen, the scattered energy from the battle had already injured many among them, and this level of existence wasn''t something they could contend with! But just as they were about to retreat, the hulking monster standing still suddenly spat a mouthful of black blood, the blood-red blaze around him extinguishing instantly, with his over-three-meter form shrinking at a visible speed, soon reverting to his originally thin frame. Seeing the black-haired young man, half-kneeling, propping himself on the ground, with a weak presence and torn flesh, all the Round Table Knights'' eyes lit up. That''s right! After such a terrifying strike, how could he not pay a price?! "Avenge Lord Hiram!" Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Niksa Labres shouted and charged. Like a starting gun, other Round Table Knights rushed in, eager to claim the merit for themselves before others! Chapter 198 - 198, Laughing and Drinking Xiongnu Blood Whoever can slay this monster will have the qualification to replace Lord Hiram and become one of the most promising candidates among the Twelve Holy Knights! Yet no one noticed that Niksa Labres, who was the first to speak, quietly slowed his pace, trailing behind everyone, warily watching the seemingly dying boy. On the other side, Zhu Haomiao, who was on the verge of collapse, coughed up the clotted blood from his trachea, raised his eyes, and looked at the excited enemies charging at him, once again urging the Authority of Lust. The pink divinity spread through his flesh, but after the previous burst beyond his body''s capacity, his Essence was already exhausted. In addition, having been in deep sleep for dozens of days and not having time to eat, his stomach was empty, with no nutrition to absorb and heal his wounds. Just stopping the most severe internal bleeding, Zhu Haomiao had to pull himself together, using the supernatural intuition of Gale¡¤Spirit Rhinoceros to parry the enemies. Enduring the pain, the boy moved with agility, like a graceful dancer flashing amidst the saber flashes and sword shadows. However, his heart was secretly ruthless. In the future, the first thing after "waking up" must be to eat. When fighting reaches the limit, ample material nutrition will be his strongest support! Now he''s suffering because of hunger! Dodging while slowly recovering, maneuvering while running, Zhu Haomiao suddenly saw a familiar treasure sword on the ground, leaping and rolling to pick it up. Picking up the Eight-sided Han Sword he had previously discarded, the boy felt a sense of assurance, decisively switching his combat style, no longer merely dodging and escaping but piercing the enemy''s armor at its weakest like a snake with its tusk. 61 points of God paired with 56 points of Dexterity made his sword movements precise and deadly. Without the enemy''s perfectly fitted armor protection, he could take down a person within a few moves. Sizzle~ The sharp blade rubbed against the armor''s seams, creating intense sparks. Feeling the enemy''s weak sword force, a knight shouted with joy. "He''s out of strength! He can''t hold on much longer!!" Upon hearing this, the enemies attacking him were invigorated as if injected with adrenaline, rushing towards Zhu Haomiao one after another, even seemingly undermining each other. Noticing that the enemies'' previously coordinated offensive had become chaotic and contradictory, looking fierce but causing much less threat, Zhu Haomiao secretly sighed in relief, mobilizing the little Inner Breath he had just accumulated. Stacked Waves Strength! Gale Power! S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Armor Breaking Power! Seizing the opportunity, a thin as cicada''s wings sharp cold light condensed on the blade. Hidden lethal intent suddenly emerged while the surrounding enemies were infighting, secretly competing. Swipe~ Like a venomous snake in the shadows revealing its tusks, the unexpected icy cold light flashed and vanished. The knight closest to Zhu Haomiao stiffened abruptly, his heavily helmeted head slowly tilting to one side, thudding to the ground. The sudden counterattack frightened the knights, scattering them like startled birds, fearing to become the next unlucky one. In the center of the battlefield, Zhu Haomiao looked at the headless corpse spraying blood like a fountain, gritted his teeth fiercely. Then, as if holding a wine vat, the boy lifted the headless corpse above his head, "pouring" it, swallowing the blood in big gulps. Swallowed into his stomach, it was instantly digested into much-needed nutrition. A warm gentle current spread from his intestines and stomach, coursing through his blood vessels, as his nearly exhausted spirit and body greedily absorbed nourishment, his limp and weak limbs quickly surging with strength again! From dozens of meters away, the Round Table Knights, looking at the monster, were filled with anger, fear, and unwillingness. Seeing that no one dared to step forward, not wanting to be the first to stand out, Niksa Labres had to speak again. "We can''t give him another opportunity. Everyone, stop competing, kill him first, then talk!" Upon hearing this, the knights suppressed their personal calculations, regrouping to attack the enemy united. On the other side, after drinking the "fine wine," Zhu Haomiao wiped the blood off his chin randomly, his eyes flashing with a menacing and ruthless blood light again. "Warriors feast on the flesh of their foes, laughing while quenching their thirst with the blood of Xiongnu..." With a light twirl of his sword, the boy laughed wildly, suddenly turning into a flash of light rushing towards the nearest knight, the Eight-sided Han Sword, filled with renewed strength, precisely piercing the armor seams, penetrating all defenses, entered the enemy''s chest cavity. Pulling the sword left and right, the inserted sword blade churned menacingly, and Penetration Force invaded in the process, instantly turning the thoracic organs into mush. With minimal effort to kill an enemy, Zhu Haomiao pulled out his sword, dodging incoming attacks like an elf dancing on sword edges, easily jumping out of the encirclement, turning defense into offense again. "Be careful! He''s behind you!" "Stop him!" "Damn it!" "No!" "Ahhhhh!" ...... Hearing the miserable cries of his companions from behind, Niksa Labres, who had long sensed things going wrong and exited the battlefield, fled frantically towards Shanghai, not daring to look back once. I am the sole heir of the Labres family; I cannot die here worthless! That monster! That demon! That is no human! I must send back the intelligence! Emotions like shock, anger, fear, despair, and resentment churned endlessly, as Niksa Labres ground his teeth, squeezing all his stamina to escape desperately. However, it didn''t take long before the cries behind him abruptly stopped, and the silence carried the implication that a monster was catching up, the fearful feeling of needles on his back making his skin crawl. Scrambling on all fours for a distance, Niksa Labres could no longer suppress his fear and instinctively looked back, instantly seeing a bloodstained, sinister smile almost "nose to nose" with him. "Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!" "Don''t come near me!!!!" With a sweep, the Eight-sided Han Sword twisted away the incoming long sword, and Zhu Haomiao punched Niksa Labres'' chest and abdomen, the soft force penetrating the armor, invading the internal organs and instantly collapsing his combat ability. "Ugh..." Blood trickled from his mouth as Niksa Labres knelt on the ground, crawling with his hands and feet, trying instinctively to get away from that terrifying monster, only to be pulled back by his foot by Zhu Haomiao. "Where are you running? A family must stick together." With Zhu Haomiao''s playful taunt, Niksa Labres clawed the ground tightly yet was dragged helplessly, leaving ten desperate grooves in his path. "No!!!!" Chapter 199 - 199: Concealing the Heavenly Secrets "What do you mean, no? You''ve got the heaviest resentful curse on you, I''ve saved a spot for you in the C position! Aren''t you going to thank me?" Dragging Niksa Labres back to the battlefield, Zhu Haomiao casually hacked off his limbs, tore off his armor, piled the bodies together, and placed the limbless Niksa Labres on top of the mountain of corpses. He took a few steps back, admired his handiwork, and nodded in satisfaction. But, it seemed like something was still missing... Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a moment, looked over Niksa Labres'' twisted, ferocious expression of pain, his eyes filled with resentful hatred, and suddenly understood. "Scream! Why aren''t you screaming?" "You despicable yellow-skinned monkey! The Empire''s army will avenge us! The entire Far East will turn to scorched earth, and you lowly creatures will all die!!!!" Seemingly aware of his inevitable fate, Niksa Labres yelled and cursed hysterically, venting his pain, fear, and anger. "Ah yes yes yes, the last idiot said the exact same thing, then you all came here, only for me to wipe you out completely." "I hope you continue to try, bringing me rich blood food." Clapping gently, Zhu Haomiao looked warmly at Niksa Labres, but his words made him feel like he was plunged into an ice cellar. In that instant, he seemed to realize that in the other''s eyes, he and his kind were merely nourishment for this being''s growth. Not even worthy of being called "enemies," merely "food"! A chilling, soul-seizing fear enveloped Niksa Labres as he stared blankly at Zhu Haomiao, as if trying to see what nameless monstrosity hid beneath the human shell. At this moment, the boy clutched his rumbling stomach, impatiently pursed his lips. "If you''re not going to scream, then never mind, I''m hungry, I''m done playing." With that, he thrust a sword into Niksa Labres'' mouth, stirred lightly, and pulled out a blood-drenched tongue. "Aowuwuwu..." He then gouged out his eyes, cut off his nose, pierced his eardrums, depriving him of his senses, allowing him to feel the utmost pain and despair without distraction. Having completed the final preparations, Zhu Haomiao followed the guidance of Spirituality and released Authority. A certain cruel ritual was completed in the unseen realm, and a crimson mist enveloped a range of hundreds of meters, transforming the entire battlefield into a wickedly twisted altar. The next moment, a trace of crimson emitted from all the bodies, and numerous thin shrouds of miasma converged and condensed. At the same time, the blood-colored miasma belonging to the Child of Destiny, already scattered to ashes, manifested from nothing and attached to Niksa Labres atop the mountain of corpses, blazing like flames. The entire mountain of corpses erupted in intense scarlet flames, endless suffering pouring into Niksa Labres'' soul, forcing him to emit inhuman, wailing screams. Listening to the heart-wrenching, eerie screams, Zhu Haomiao sensed the overwhelming resentment hovering over the battlefield and threw himself into the blood-red flames, willingly becoming the fuel, turning the ephemeral curse into a real and tangible "retribution," manically gnawing at the enemy''s soul. Barely perceptibly curling his lips, Zhu Haomiao sighed with a sense of regret. "Now, are you satisfied...?" After a long while, all the bodies were drained of moisture, and the grand blood-red flames condensed before Zhu Haomiao into a small, hot, red-glowing mass, like molten lava. Feeling the brutal Divinity contained within this small mass of blood, Zhu Haomiao squinted his eyes, and the blood floating before him instantly infiltrated his brow. Boom! His bloodshot eyes widened in rage, extreme pain and excitement filled his brain simultaneously. An indescribable frenzied energy surged through his body, his heartbeat uncontrollably accelerating to hundreds per minute. Veins like dark red little snakes burst and wriggled under his skin, and the high-temperature red light, like liquid metal, seeped from the depths of his veins, making the boy''s face even more ferocious and terrifying, as if a demon crawling out of Hell. Hoo~ After a long time, Zhu Haomiao slowly exhaled a foul breath, the dark red veins on his face gradually subsided, and the twisted, writhing mad Divinity in his eyes sunk deep into his pupils, suppressed to the deepest part of his sea of consciousness. Control [anger], [Dao Heart] +5 Complete [anger] secret ceremony, [anger] +2000 [anger]: LV.7¡úLV.8 (480/5000) [Strength] +17 [Body] +9 [Essence] +8 Feeling the power merging into his spirit and body, and the even more precious and vast Qi Fortune, Zhu Haomiao clasped his hands together, genuinely grateful. Thank you for the gift from Little Britain... Immediately, the boy suddenly thought of something, pursed his lips suspiciously. How did they find me? His whereabouts were always unpredictable, even he didn''t know where he would go next, how could they precisely pinpoint him? Is there a traitor among the Believers? But with a little thought, Zhu Haomiao dismissed this possibility. Other than Wilson, no one knew that the [Blood-colored Banquet] was his doing. Besides, the Divinity of [greed] had a very high position, if someone betrayed, he would have sensed it long ago. So... Instinctively looking up at the void, Zhu Haomiao frowned discontentedly. Is it you, sneaky Heavenly Destiny, who led the Imperial Army here? Only such unreasonable guidance, directly from the fate and cause-effect level, could accurately lock onto him. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Coupled with the enemy''s identity as Child of Destiny, Zhu Haomiao suddenly had seventy to eighty percent certainty. But quickly, the boy was struck by new doubts. If it was guidance from the fate level, then why didn''t they ambush when he was in Deep Sleep? During deep sleep, the soul returns to reality to recover, leaving only the body in the Illusion Realm, it is the most vulnerable time with no resistance! Just finding the Safe House, any Transcendent could easily kill him... Wait! Finding me! A flash of spirit light crossed his mind like lightning, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up as he looked to the Original Sin page in the [Book of Black]. [Sloth]! The pupa shell formed by the gray-white threads could not only distort perception from the material level and conceal himself... It could even obscure the Heavenly Secrets, interfere with fate''s probing, and prevent the backtracing of Cause and Effect! When returning to reality, the two layers of pupa shell covering his body made it impossible for this World''s Heavenly Dao Will to pinpoint him! However, compared to the blind and foolish, self-unaware Heavenly Dao, he should probably be more wary of high-intelligence descenders finding him through logical reasoning... Coming to this realization, Zhu Haomiao nodded thoughtfully, ready to step away when he suddenly thought of something, and his expression dramatically changed. My big Diao! Where is my big Diao?!!! Frantically searching around, he couldn''t find any trace of Diao Chan on his body, which was covered with wounds flush with flesh and blood... It''s over! My big Diao is gone! Chapter 200 - 200: Stop, My Lord Just as Zhu Haomiao was contemplating whether to immediately return to reality to comfort his pet, a small white head peeked out from a nearby nook, surreptitiously observing from the shadows. "Squeak~" Hearing that familiar sound, Zhu Haomiao turned his head and let out a long sigh of relief. "When did you run off?" He picked up Diao Chan for a thorough inspection, and it turned out this little guy was not only unscathed but didn''t even have a speck of dust on its snow-white fur, starkly contrasting the desolate battlefield around. After a brief moment of anxiety, Zhu Haomiao calmed down, stroking Diao Chan''s silky fur with suspicion, squinting his eyes. Could this guy have an instinct for seeking fortune and avoiding calamity? Sensing danger, evading in advance, and coming out again once everything is calm... Crucially, its actions were so stealthy that even he hadn''t noticed exactly when it left or how it appeared again! Suddenly, as Zhu Haomiao was lost in thought, he felt a tingling sensation. Looking down, he saw Diao Chan was tenderly licking his wounds, and the crystal-clear saliva applied to the overturned flesh brought a refreshing coolness. The burning pain abruptly dissipated, and Zhu Haomiao could feel the wounds licked by Diao Chan healing and repairing several times faster. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Unfortunately, the little guy, who was only the size of a palm, could only manage to lick all the wounds on the hand, which was hardly enough. "Enough, no more licking. Do you want to give me a bath too?" He chuckled and ruffled Diao Chan''s little head, then looked up at the sparsely starry sky with a cold middle finger. Even though he knew the Heavenly Dao Will couldn''t constantly monitor him, he still hated the feeling of being watched! [Sloth]! With a thought, the intangible Authority transformed into gray-white threads condensing from the void, wrapping the young man layer by layer, concealing his information from the conceptual level. A gold light emerged from the [Book of Black], sealing and settling the vast amount of attribute energy deep within his spirit and body. After the Double pupation, Zhu Haomiao adjusted to his suddenly weakened body and stepped forward, darting silently toward the Shanghai docks like a ghostly shadow. Shortly after he left, the first group who became aware of the commotion arrived at the scene. Unaware that he had brushed past the mastermind on the road, Sherlock Worth looked at the hill formed by molten flesh and steel, swallowing dryly. Glancing around, the pitted terrain within a kilometer radius didn''t seem Earthly; it resembled the surface of the Moon! Looking at this devastating battlefield, Sherlock Worth crouched down, picked up a pinch of fine dust with his fingers, and gently rubbed it, his heart overwhelmed like a tumultuous sea. The mere dissipated energy had pulverized such a large area of soil and rocks; this destructive power far exceeded that of a normal dominant Transcendent! At least, someone like him, who wasn''t known for destructive power, couldn''t achieve such an exaggerated effect... Just as Sherlock Worth was pondering deeply, a petite, feather-light figure landed on the battlefield beside him, gazing up at the mountain of bodies forged from steel and flesh. "Mr. Gabriel." Sherlock Worth forced a bitter smile, respectfully saluting the girl. "Hmm, what''s the situation?" "I don''t know either, it feels like Ultraman and Godzilla fought here." "Can you trace the culprit through cause and effect?" "No, I can''t sense any ''clue,'' all I see is a gray and foggy mist." Upon hearing this, Gabriel remained silent, his golden eyes reflecting a solemn, holy light, and after a look around, his eyebrows knit together. "This was a sacrifice." "Offering pain, blood, slaughter, and destruction to please an indescribable twisted Evil God!" "But¡­ who could consider the Round Table Knights as a sacrifice? Their leader was a Child of Destiny!" Through the slightly melted and warped armor pattern, Gabriel recognized the identity of the deceased, frowning even more deeply. Hearing these words, Sherlock Worth''s heart skipped a beat. "I heard they were investigating the culprit of the [Blood-colored Banquet], could it be they went too far and angered the [Dragon], which led to their slaughter?" "Angered the [Dragon]? What did these Round Table Knights do?" Hearing Gabriel''s questioning, Sherlock Worth pursed his lips with a troubled tone. "I''m not entirely sure, I only heard their law enforcement was extremely brutal, causing numerous wrongful deaths." "Numerous?!" Stared at by Gabriel''s oppressive gaze, Sherlock Worth sighed deeply. "The exact number is hard to estimate, but from what I know, these native Round Table Knights never regarded people of color as equals, their methods are probably comparable to the extremists." In an instant, understanding the implication of Sherlock Worth''s words, Gabriel''s breath hitched. "Wait, are you saying the Evil God we''ve been chasing after is actually aligned with the [Dragon]?!" With this new line of thought, Gabriel suddenly recalled something. "No wonder last time you said these people brought about their own doom, you were implying to me back then?!" Upon hearing this, Sherlock Worth could only offer a wry smile. "It was just my personal speculation, I didn''t dare to intrude upon your judgment." But Gabriel had already fully grasped the situation, the cold indifference in his golden eyes now showing a flash of human-like anger. "No wonder every time I go to the [Yanhuang Armory], the person in charge there always gives me the run-around!" "No wonder they are unmoved by traces of the Evil God near their base!" "No wonder so many Evil Gods have taken a sudden interest in this world!" "It turns out they were behind it all!" For the first time seeing the great Blazing Angel display emotions matching their youthful appearance, a flicker of astonishment passed through Sherlock Worth''s eyes, then he fearfully lowered his head, focusing his gaze inward. After some time, Gabriel finally suppressed his anger, blinking with doubt. "Wait a minute, there are many bizarre beings among the Chinese Gods, but one this bizarre¡­" Glancing at the mountain of corpses forged from steel and flesh, Gabriel murmured in confusion. "Could it be the Warlord Chi You?" "But even Chi You''s Divinity isn''t this twisted¡­" "Moreover, apart from such a savage and bloodthirsty Divinity, there are other Hell Lord-level auras¡­" Hearing Gabriel muttering to himself, Sherlock Worth hesitated momentarily before speaking up. "Um¡­ sir, do we still want to continue the investigation?" Let it go, sir! Uncovering anything will lead to an unbecoming situation! Yet, without realizing Sherlock Worth''s considerate concerns, the stunningly beautiful girl hesitated for a moment before making a firm decision. "Investigate! Keep investigating! I want to see who exactly is pulling strings in the dark!" His brow twitched, Sherlock Worth hesitated as if wanting to say more, but ultimately all his words condensed into a sigh of helpless resignation. "Your will." Chapter 201 - 201: Super Recovery On the other side, Zhu Haomiao returned to the cruise ship and took a shower, washing away the blood and dirt. Coming out of the bathroom, looking at the terrifying wounds all over his body, Zhu Haomiao frowned slightly. Once he deeply releases the [anger], he becomes like a masochist, not using a sword, fighting the enemy with fists and feet like a beast. At the time, it felt exhilarating, but thinking back afterward, it seemed a bit foolish. Recalling carefully, Zhu Haomiao vaguely had some insight. In that state, he actually craved pain, craved injury, which is why he instinctively abandoned the sword and fought with claws and teeth! Pain is pleasure, scars are nourishment, whatever doesn''t kill me makes me stronger! As if a flash of inspiration, Zhu Haomiao understood the high rank authority of [anger]. He can draw nourishment from pain and injury! Astonished, looking at the various scars covering his body, a hint of delight flashed in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes. Then, he put on a layer of pure black luxurious clothing, enduring the burning pain, he walked out of the bedroom and headed to the ship''s dining area. "Chirp!" On the dining table filled with glowing delicacies, Diao Chan was jumping up and down anxiously, seeing Zhu Haomiao, it excitedly jumped onto him, licking the wounds exposed outside. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The warm and pink little tongue tickled Zhu Haomiao slightly, causing him to chuckle and tap its head. "Alright, no more licking, let''s eat." Hearing this, Diao Chan darted to the table, grabbed its favorite rib, and quickly came back, trying hard to stuff it into Zhu Haomiao''s mouth. "Chirp food, Shuishui chirps first!" Amused yet exasperated, Zhu Haomiao watched the little one eagerly trying to feed him, feeling a bit touched. On the other side, the rib in hand couldn''t be stuffed in, noticing that its master could no longer eat, Diao Chan trembled, dropping its beloved rib with a thud, looking teary-eyed at the boy. "Need to wash, need to wash, Shuishui''s washing coming..." "..." The loving and touched smile gradually disappeared, Zhu Haomiao glared at it crossly. "You''re the one with washing coming!" "Who taught you to speak like this? Don''t use idioms if you don''t know them!" "And also! My name is pronounced Haomiao! Not Shuishui!" "Meow meow?" "..." "Forget it, just call me Shuishui..." Roughly rubbing the little idiot''s head, Zhu Haomiao tossed it aside, sat on the main seat, and began to gorge himself. As a huge amount of extraordinary food entered his stomach, a continuous stream of warmth flowed through his veins, spreading to every part of his body. Every damaged cell cheered, greedily absorbing the nutritional energy, becoming stronger and sturdier. A faint pink mist swirled in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, with the nearly infinite nutrition provided by the four-dimensional stomach, the 60-point [Essence] attribute combined with the [Lust] authority, transforming into endless life energy. The wounds on his body transmitted intense itchiness and stinging pain, signals of the rapid healing and repair of his flesh. Suppressing the discomfort, Zhu Haomiao continued eating, giving instructions without raising his head. "Set sail, there''s still a lot to do on the peninsula." "As you command!" Standing respectfully by the side, Wilson left with a chest salute, and soon the gigantic cruise ship began to operate, slowly departing the port. It wasn''t until a few days later, when the cruise ship docked at Datong River port, that Zhu Haomiao put down his chopsticks and exhaled a long breath. [Super recovery] [All Attributes] +3 Looking at the information that emerged in the [Book of Black], Zhu Haomiao''s eyes lit up. But immediately after, the teenager discovered an even greater surprise. The six-dimensional attributes directly grew by 6 points! Of which, 3 points were provided by the attribute growth of [Super recovery], another 3 points were the realization of the sediment potential! The high rank authority of [anger] not only allows nourishing from pain but also accelerates the digestion of accumulated attribute?! Super recovery? Chewing carefully on these four words, Zhu Haomiao nodded with understanding. This is the strengthening of natural healing on the concept level, and it''s the second kind of Original Sin authority, after [Sloth], that can accelerate growth! However, compared to the subtle influence of [Sloth], [anger] is more violent, more dangerous, and more uncontrollable. It seems the more severe the injury, the closer to death, the greater the benefits after [Super recovery]! Centered around the principle of risk and reward being proportional, teetering on the edge of death repeatedly. Rubbing his chin, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a long time, finally letting out a regretful sigh, dispelling various bold ideas. Although he can resurrect after death, the lost Source Quality will still be lost, if he truly can''t hold it and dies, that loss would be too great. Just let it be, no need to deliberately court death! Moreover... Glancing at the diligently guarding Wilson, Zhu Haomiao puckered his lips with merciful compassion. Such a useful container, wouldn''t it be a waste to squander it? "Wilson, I''m a person who values life, and I would never waste it casually." Though Wilson didn''t understand the boy''s out-of-context words, he still respectfully saluted with a chest bow. "I respectfully abide by your teachings." Dozens of minutes later, Zhu Haomiao put on a low-key luxurious black outfit, pulled up the hood of his cloak, tied the Eight-sided Han Sword at his waist, and strolled leisurely off the cruise ship. Under the extraordinary concealment of double pupation, the boy seemed like an unnoticed inanimate object, traversing the city without a trace of presence. Heading towards the command center, Zhu Haomiao checked his body along the way. The skin that was once covered with scars just a few days ago was now renewed, only some barely visible pinkish skin color still bore traces of injury. However, at his current healing speed, these anomaly skin colors will completely disappear in a few hours. Dozens of minutes later, Zhu Haomiao effortlessly reached the command center, and as soon as he entered, he felt a heavy and oppressive atmosphere hanging over the hall. "Senior Brother Wang, what happened?" Approaching the frowning Wang Hua, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but ask softly. "You..." Turning around, it took a few seconds to recognize Zhu Haomiao, Wang Hua forced a smile. "Junior Brother Zhu, you''re back, how was your vacation?" "It was alright." Exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhu Haomiao got straight to the point. "I see everyone looks troubled, did something happen?" Hearing this, Wang Hua sighed helplessly. "The North Ocean Fleet was defeated." "Huh? Weren''t they suppressing the Japan Combined Fleet before? How did they suddenly lose?" As a descender knowing the world''s line direction, seeds had been planted in the Qing Court during the early development of the country. With Nalan Shu existing in the army, there were also corresponding undercover agents in the navy. Influenced by these descenders, the North Ocean Fleet in this Illusion Realm skipped many detours, greatly increased their strength, and weren''t afraid of the little idiots'' United Fleet at all. Chapter 202 - 202: Hes anxious! Hes anxious! Since the war began, both sides have had victories and losses, and even the North Ocean Fleet once held the advantage. How did it suddenly suffer defeat? Facing Zhu Haomiao''s inquiry, Wang Hua forced a bitter smile. "Not long ago, Brittania''s Far East Fleet inexplicably went mad and suddenly joined the battlefield, attacking the North Ocean Fleet from both sides with the United Fleet!" "Apart from Zhenyuan and Ding Yuan, which limped back to Weihai heavily damaged, the rest of the warships were completely destroyed. The world line seems to have converged back again..." Wang Hua sighed and shook his head, showing a wry smile of finding joy in sorrow. "After inquiring from multiple sources, it seems that in Shanghai, a fully equipped Knight Order from Brittania was annihilated, and a national-level figure among the Twelve Knights of the Round Table died without a complete corpse." "After the Queen of England heard the news, she was so furious that she fainted from bleeding and was unconscious for an entire day. Upon waking up, the first thing she did was declare war on the Qing Court!" Speaking of this, Wang Hua sighed deeply. "The Great Britain''s navy in this era is truly formidable. Just a single Far East Fleet, in just a few days'' time, swept the South and North Ocean Fleets clean, leaving the Qing Court''s thousands of miles of coastline completely undefended." "I heard that Great Britain is already organizing a coalition of multiple world powers to prepare for a full-scale war against Da Qing. It might be that the Eight-Nation Alliance invasion of China will break out early." Listening to Wang Hua''s leisurely musings, Zhu Haomiao rubbed his chin, frowning thoughtfully. He''s anxious! He''s anxious! Great Britain is anxious! It seems that the Child of Destiny is more important than I imagined, probably to the extent of shaking the very foundation of the nation. Otherwise, Britain wouldn''t jump up and down so hysterically! Seeing the youth in this state, Wang Hua suddenly had a flash of inspiration in his mind, eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait! You''ve been in Shanghai during this time! Could it be you boy... mmm mmm mmm~" Covering Wang Hua''s mouth, Zhu Haomiao flashed a polite yet awkward smile to the gazes of surprise from various world powers. On the other side, after breaking free from the youth''s restraint, Wang Hua shot him a twisted glare. "Elbow! Come out and talk with me!" With an awkward smile, Zhu Haomiao followed Wang Hua out of the command hall. "Senior Brother Wang, I..." "Talk when we get there." Interrupting without turning his head, Wang Hua led the youth over mountains and ridges, heading straight for the Qing Army Camp several miles away. Familiar with the way, they arrived at the Central Army Tent, where Zhu Haomiao saw Nalan Shu anxiously checking a map as soon as they entered. "Old Shu, we''ve found the culprit!" "Huh? What do you mean?" "This guy took down the Round Table Knights!" Facing Nalan Shu''s confused expression, Zhu Haomiao defended himself with grievance. "They made the first move, I was forced to defend myself!" Hearing this, looking into the youth''s clear eyes carrying a hint of innocence, Nalan Shu painfully pinched the bridge of his nose, waving his hand after a long pause. "Dwelling on this is no longer important, what''s important is how we respond to the upcoming changes." At this, Wang Hua was the first to speak. "After Brittania joined, Da Qing has become a piece of meat surrounded by enemies. To prevent that old witch from staging a classic replay, we might have to overthrow the Qing Court in advance." Nalan Shu furrowed his brow, worrying. "We don''t have enough manpower. Without a central government, various fragmented warlords will be even more vulnerable, left for others to exploit." "Moreover, the peninsula''s war isn''t over, and the Ascension Competition will still occupy most of our energy." After speaking, Nalan Shu and Wang Hua both turned to Zhu Haomiao. Seeing this, the youth sighed helplessly. "Speak, what do you want me to do?" "Break through Han City as quickly as possible and end this phase of the Ascension Competition." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Saying this, Nalan Shu took out a map, pointing to the densely packed strategic points on it. "The front has entered a stalemate, and both sides can''t mobilize much combat capacity, but we have you as a wild card." Glancing at the youth''s chest, as if seeing through the black cloak to the hidden Purple Gold Dragon Emblem beneath, a flash of emotion crossed Nalan Shu''s eyes as he spoke solemnly. "Each strategic point requires at least 24 hours of occupation to move to the next one. Using you as the spearhead, break through over 40 strategic points along the line to reach Han City." His finger traced the map, landing heavily on the peninsula''s southern capital. "If all goes well, the competition could end in just over a month. Can you do it?" Zhu Haomiao looked at the starry strategic points on the map, nodding calmly. "No problem." ..................... Time passed like a fleeting horse, the scorching summer of the peninsula vanished in a blink, replaced by a cool northern wind that tinged the lush earth with gold. In the simple Imperial Palace of Han City, a middle-aged man wearing traditional Japanese garb with a Purple Gold Badge on his chest knelt on the ground, respectfully reporting the frontline situation. "Five days ago, the Evil Dragon captured the Gao Yang strategic point. The three US Traitor Golden Teams dared not meet its sharpness and retreated. The surrounding four-nation reinforcements dared not rescue." "Two days ago, the Evil Dragon captured the Enping strategic point, and the US Traitor retreated again." "Yesterday, the army of the Evil Dragon was already outside the city..." At this point, the middle-aged man''s dry lips couldn''t help but lick as he looked at the stunning young girl sitting at the head. "The US Traitor can retreat no further, today they once again pressured the cabinet, hoping you could step in to suppress the Evil Dragon." Upon hearing this, the empty-eyed girl slowly curled her lips into a smile. "How many times is this?" "Ninth time, you can see, the US livestock is really anxious." "Heh, his own Holy Spirit won''t act, and he wants us to be cannon fodder?" Coldly curving her lips, the girl shifted her tone, ruthlessly rejecting. "As always, tell them to have their Holy Spirit come and talk to me personally." "Understood!" The middle-aged man respectfully bowed, retreating as he left. Once the man left, the door beside them swung open with a bang, and a burly and unruly youth walked out, complaining irritably. "Sister, why don''t you let me go kill that beast?!!" The girl cast her brother a sidelong glance, gracefully smiling. "Why should we help others take chestnuts from the fire?" "Isn''t it better if more of them die?" "The more they die, the weaker their future will be, and the looser the chains binding us..." Whispering, watching her brother pacing back and forth in agitation, the girl knew he understood these truths but couldn''t restrain his Divinity-driven impulse to seek revenge and bloodshed, to wash away past humiliations. She sighed helplessly, softening her tone. "Don''t be anxious, he''s already outside the city, soon you''ll have your chance." "What? Don''t you want them to be mutually destructive?" Seeing her brother''s reckless and puzzled expression, the girl rubbed her temples in exasperation. Chapter 203 - 203: [Flying Brilliance·Star Fall] "The prestige of the US Traitor has suffered greatly this time, and the purpose of consumption has been achieved." "Moreover, it''s impossible to let them lose too badly. Without them bearing the brunt, the pressure from the Dragon would crush us." "If their Blazing Angel still refuses to act, they will have no choice but to seek our help." "As long as... they are willing to pay a sufficient price..." At this moment, a servant outside the door reported respectfully. "Great Sun Female Venerate, Mr. Tommy Perez requests an audience." Hearing this, the young woman displayed a calm smile she had been waiting for, nodding gently. "Let him in." "Yes." A few minutes later, a blond, blue-eyed young Caucasian entered the room and bowed respectfully at a ninety-degree angle. "Greetings, Great Sun Female Venerate." No matter how much he detested it, when personally facing a god descended from the high sky, Tommy Perez''s heart was filled with awe. "Hmm, what matter brings you to see me in such haste, Mr. Perez?" Faced with the young woman''s feigned ignorance, Tommy Perez could only be direct. "I hope you can act and eliminate the Dragon''s Son!" "Mr. Perez, you''re joking. That is the Abyss of China. How could our small island nation of Japan be its match?" Seeing the young woman not taking the bait, Tommy Perez could only reveal his trump card. "Once the plan succeeds, the US Traitor will open three exclusive Illusion Realms of the Middle Heavenly Position to share with Japan!" Upon hearing this, the young woman seated on the high platform had a blazing divine light in her eyes and leaned forward slightly, looking down at Tommy Perez with an oppressive gaze. "Not enough!" "Then what else do you want?" "I also want a shared Illusion Realm of the High Sky Rank, designated by me personally!" "Deal!" The original negotiation bottom line was 3+1, and Tommy Perez didn''t dare to play tricks with a god, agreeing swiftly. After the negotiations were settled, Tommy Perez bid farewell and left. The young woman then turned her attention to the restless and rebellious youth beside her. "Go ahead, seek your revenge." Upon hearing this, it was as if he had broken free from some shackles. A violent, cruel excitement gleamed in the youth''s eyes as he breathed heavily and left. Watching her brother''s figure disappear into the horizon, the young woman stared into the void and murmured softly. "Yueyejian." "I''m here." "If little brother cannot suppress that nascent Dragon, you should step in and kill Him too." "Yes." S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. ............. The bright moonlight spread across the land like a silver veil. Bathed in the luminous moonlight, Zhu Haomiao looked out at the distant city, wearily rubbing his brows. Under his regular "schedule," he should have returned to the present world to rest over ten days ago. But to finish the tournament in one go, he forced himself to "work overtime" until now. Although his LV.3 Dao Heart allowed him to persist, the Lost reaction made him feel like he''d stayed awake for several consecutive nights, leaving him dazed and groggy. Beep beep beep~ At this moment, the timer alarm sounded nearby, and Zhu Haomiao raised an eyebrow, understanding that the strategic point had changed hands, and now only the "enemy crystal" remained. Looking at the nearby Han City, the youth patted his cheeks, forcing himself to perk up. Finish the match in one push, wrap up early, and rest early! Just as he was about to step forward, the power sealed deep within his spirit and body by Double Pupation and Continuous Transformation for over a month broke out of its cocoon, and a magnificent golden rune materialized in the Book of Black. [Flying Radiance Skill]: LV.3¡úLV.6 (Perfect¡¤Star Fall) [Essence]+13 [Qi]+7 [God]+6 With a thought, Zhu Haomiao activated his power, reached out with a reverse grip, and the mysterious black treasure sword several meters behind him automatically unsheathed with a clang, landing precisely in his palm. Holding the blade, the youth lightly twirled the sword, a captivating Sword Gang appearing on the sharp edge. [Armor Breaking Power]! [Flying Brilliance¡¤Star Fall]! The semi-transparent Gang Qi seemed almost tangible on the sword''s body. With a gentle touch from the youth, the fierce Sword Gang shot out, transforming into a stunning, dreamy, icy star glow that instantly vanished into the darkness. Several hundred meters away, a youth with a badge of the golden white-headed sea eagle was carefully watching Zhu Haomiao''s movements through a dim light telescope. At that moment, he saw the target pointing a sword in his direction, and the next second, the cold and beautiful starlight flashed and disappeared from view. Before he could react to what happened, he suddenly found his vision uncontrollably spinning and falling, with excruciating pain assaulting his brain. He opened his mouth to shout, but found himself unable to make any sound. As his view fell to the ground, gazing up at a familiar headless corpse maintaining the gesture of holding up a telescope, blood gushed from the neck like a fountain. It suddenly dawned on him that he had been decapitated. Hundreds of meters away, he had to use a telescope to see the other person; how did they attack him? Wasn''t the Chinese Martial God a close-combat profession? The extreme pain and confusion made the youth involuntarily widen his eyes, the fine, sugary blood rain evenly sprinkling on his face, falling into his retinas, casting an ominous crimson over his dying vision. On the other side, silently removing a hidden sentry, Zhu Haomiao sheathed his sword, nodding in satisfaction. Although the Flying Radiance Skill is more suited for Transcendents using long-range weapons like dark weapons or bows, it can still unleash terrifying destructive power in his hands. Mom no longer has to worry about me being kited! Smirking, Zhu Haomiao glanced subconsciously at the six-dimensional attributes in the Book of Black. [God]: 67¡ú74 (25)¡ü [Dexterity]: 62¡ú69 (9)¡ü [Strength]: 73¡ú80 (19)¡ü [Essence]: 66¡ú73 (23)¡ü [Qi]: 73¡ú80 (20)¡ü [Body]: 74¡ú81 (6)¡ü Affected by the Plane Suppression Force, his digestion speed was increasingly slow. Even with the aid of Double Pupation, he only grew 7 points in all attributes over the span of a month. The old hasn''t been digested yet, and the new has arrived! With digestion speed lagging behind the accumulation speed, it''s truly troubling... Sighing and shaking his head, Zhu Haomiao began running toward the distant Han City, illuminated by the bright moonlight. His actions were noticed by the remaining hidden sentries, who, like startled birds, stirred the once peaceful city into a frenzy. Countless Descenders walked out of their rooms with heavy hearts, entering their pre-set positions with a steely resolve to await the final battle. It wasn''t long before Zhu Haomiao reached a large archway along the road. Looking up at the plaque with the large words "Ying''en Gate," he rubbed his chin with interest. Just as he admired this ancient structure, which would be demolished in the future, a tall and burly figure walked slowly from the opposite side of the Ying''en Gate. Chapter 204 - 204, [Evil Dragon] Bathed in the cold moonlight, the two faced off from afar, separated by a tall and majestic archway, each revealing a smile. Yet one person''s smile was hideously savage, while the other''s carried the "surprise" of a long-awaited reunion. Without any words, the rebellious and towering boy let out a thunderous roar, scarlet energy soaring behind him, condensing into a half-transparent illusory giant, wielding a vast and indistinct treasure sword, fiercely striking down at Zhu Haomiao. Boom! The over twenty-meter-high [Ying''en Gate] instantly turned to ash, the storm-like sword Qi sweeping over hundreds of meters, leaving only two heavy bases standing stubbornly in place. As the dust cleared, Zhu Haomiao, who had instantaneously teleported several dozen meters away, stared at the towering divine shadow, slowly narrowing his eyes. [Jealousy]! Evil and strange authority quietly released, twisting reality from the conceptual level, seizing the opponent''s divine seed, and fusing it with his own Original Sin Authority! [Gluttony]! Boom! The spirit expanded indefinitely, a layer of divine illusion condensing behind Zhu Haomiao. Within seconds, he felt his vision rising, gazing at the giant on equal terms from afar. Eight cold and terrifying serpent heads swayed behind the boy, taking form along the neck, eventually transforming into a colossal being nearly seventy meters long. Eight heads and eight tails, heads like dragons, eyes like the abyss, mountains and rivers on its back, an endless sea of blood surged in the belly, while eight-colored sinister clouds enshrouded its crown. Staring at that familiar opponent of destiny, Susano-o''s teeth clenched with a cracking sound. "Orochi..." Boom! Susano-o''s feet stomped, exploding into a fountain of earth at the spot, appearing before Zhu Haomiao with the speed of instant teleportation, his invincible fists descending like divine punishment. In harmony with his movements, the indistinct giant wielded the treasure sword, hacking fiercely at the mountain-like evil creature. On the other side, facing the enemy''s attack, Zhu Haomiao neither dodged nor flinched, channeling power and raising his hand to strike back with a fist. [Stacked Waves Strength¡¤Fierce Wave]! [Armor Breaking Power]! [Heavenly Gang Power]! [Penetration Force]! [Sealing Demon Power]! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Five Forces Combined, two fists collided without any flourish, the divine shadows behind both simultaneously clashed, erupting a deafening roar across the entire world. Boom~~~~ A kilometer away, witnessing the slowly rising mini mushroom cloud, feeling the wind like steel knives painfully raking the skin, contenders from various countries all widened their eyes in unison. Is this even human?!! Have we been fighting such monsters all this time?! Only then did they know that the guy with the NATO codename [Evil Dragon] hadn''t been using his full power before. "Now you know why I asked you to voluntarily withdraw from the competition, right?" On a highland within Han City, Blake stood shoulder to shoulder with his sister, gazing at the majestic silhouettes looming in the smoke and dust, whispering in resignation. Beside him, Elizabeth Tia looked dazed, clutching the Purple Gold Badge on her chest, inexplicably short of breath. "I clearly advanced to dominance, I clearly worked so hard, I clearly stood at the top of this world, so why..." The gap not only didn''t narrow, but even the qualification to compete with them was lost! Seeing his sister''s wavering Dao Heart, questioning her existence, Blake tenderly embraced her. "Tia, I told you, don''t doubt yourself. Getting this far, you''re already amazing!" "A 17-year-old holding dominance, you''re one of the best geniuses among all humans!" "You''re even better than me!" However, her brother''s comfort did nothing to resolve the pain in Tia''s heart, as she stared intently at those distant looming terrifying figures, murmuring. "Then... why?" "They are different!" "They?" "Yes, that''s a war belonging to the Gods, we mortals have no qualification to intervene!" By lightly skirting the issue, Blake changed the topic, gently stroking his sister''s golden hair, his eyes full of encouragement. "If it were the previous [Ascension Competitions], you would definitely make it to the end and even have the qualification to compete for the ultimate glory." "But this time... it''s different." "You all are just unlucky to have encountered opponents you shouldn''t face at this stage." Holy Spirit, Abyss... Putting entities of this level into an Under-18 competition is simply a crime! It''s like throwing a bunch of dragons into a kindergarten! Grinding his teeth, Blake looked up at the two colossal beings clearly visible from far away, letting out a long sigh. This is a sin! May it end soon, this year''s [Ascension Competition] is simply torture for normal human contenders! Meanwhile, in the Falanxi defense zone next to the Brittania defense zone, Catherine Veronia was also questioning her existence. Yet, her naturally mature and resilient nature quickly regained composure, looking at her senior sister standing beside her. "Senior Sister, I know he didn''t use his full strength last time we fought, but I never expected..." "Never expected his full strength is so exaggerated?" Judy Pores bitterly tugged at the corners of her mouth, sighing ruefully. "It''s not just you, even I didn''t expect it!" "Originally, I thought they were only slightly ahead of normal dominance..." Saying this, Judy Pores looked up at the sky, gazing intently at the bright white moon, muttering to herself. "After all, the First Layer Heaven''s carrying capacity has a limit, the ''exam sheet'' can only hold a maximum of 100 points, no matter how ''smart'' they are, they cannot score 200, 300, or even 1000 points on a 100-point sheet, right?" "And yet... they can actually change the rules! Ignoring the limits!" Listening to her senior sister''s mumbles, Catherine Veronia bit her lip unwillingly. "What exactly are they?" "Non-human monsters, unspeakable conceptual entities, a twisted source capable of bringing down Gods..." Saying that, Judy Pores looked at the strong girl beside her, gently stroking her brown hair. "In any case, it''s not an existence you should be dealing with at your current stage." ...... Simultaneously, similar conversations echoed in various corners of Han City, with dominances from each country hurriedly providing psychological support to their contenders, preventing them from losing faith and collapsing. It''s not your problem, it''s those monsters across from you! You''ve done wonderfully, don''t feel pressured! Next time, we won''t play with them! With the soothing and comforting words from predecessors, many contenders temporarily set aside their worries, looking towards the distant battlefield with a humble, reverent, and learning mindset. Meanwhile, at the heart of the battlefield, the two youths exchanged fists and palms, every move and action stirring violent shockwaves, flattening everything above ground within hundreds of meters. Behind them, two gigantic ancient God Demon-like entities also battled synchronously, from afar, the war seemed like a scene straight out of myth manifesting in reality. Chapter 205 - 205: I Dont Care After a brief probing, realizing the enemy''s strength was growing stronger, even overwhelming his own, a manic and violent blood glow arose in Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, and a fierce scarlet blaze erupted around him. Anger! The LV.8 level Original Sin Authority was unleashed without reservation, but this time Zhu Haomiao''s body did not twist or expand, instead, a continuous flow of bloody divinity surged out, channeling through some mysterious means into the shadow form behind him. "Roar!!!" The massive snake shadow, as large as a mountain, let out a cry of pain and pleasure, its already terrifying size further expanded, and the scales on its body appeared with bizarre crimson inscriptions, radiating a high-temperature red glow like molten metal in a heart-beating rhythm. The corrupt sea of blood beneath the giant snake spread like a tide, expanding the eight-colored dark clouds overhead until the dark shadow obscured most of Han City, shrouding the bright moon in the sky. Boom! With irresistible brute force, he punched through the enemy''s defense head-on. As Zhu Haomiao looked at the opponent''s incredulous ferocious expression, he curled his lips in disdain. Bong! The successive fist struck squarely on Susano-o''s face, the destructive power was released to its heart''s content, sending him flying like a beam of straight light, spiraling into the ground hundreds of meters away. Rumble~ The ground shook with tremendous force within a radius of several hundred meters, the originally hard soil layer rippled like a liquid, wave after wave spreading outward, as if something from deep within the earth was about to emerge. Splash splash~ Orochi, towering like a small mountain, soared along the bloody waves, "slowly" swimming to the dust-covered area, its eight malevolent and cold snake heads lowering, the sinister vertical pupils firmly staring at the giant below. When the smoke cleared, lying in the giant radial crater, Susano-o saw Zhu Haomiao looking down with a superior gaze, and behind him, the slithering snake heads stared at him with greedy hunger, as if looking at a lump of exquisite blood food. "How dare you see me as food, you ignorant worm, you have no idea..." Listening to the enemy''s furious roar, Zhu Haomiao snorted in disdain, interrupting. "I don''t care." "......" "I don''t care what you are." "......" "In my eyes, you''re just a piece of meat with relatively rich nutrition." "Essentially, there''s no difference between you and a pig." The plain, straightforward tone pierced like a blade into the heart, feeling the enemy''s heartfelt contempt, blood webs like worms surfaced in Susano-o''s eyes, and the shattered half of his face instantly squirmed and healed, his body bursting into fiercely burning glorious flames. "Beast!! I will kill you!" Boom! Susano-o violently surged forward, appearing before Zhu Haomiao like instant teleportation. The next second, a flaming meteor-like fist was firmly caught by a pale, slender hand, intense Gang Wind spread out with the point of contact between fist and palm as the center. A visible bowl-shaped white mist shockwave flashed and disappeared, instantly expanding hundreds of meters away. Further away, the Gang Wind laden with the Power of Destruction swept the land, spectators watching from afar felt a sting across their skin, instinctively reaching out to touch, only to find their fingertips stained with damp crimson. With wide-eyed shock, glancing at their companion''s exposed skin with unobtrusive blood lines, everyone felt a chill in their hearts. Even from this far, the escaping Qi Force could harm them, how overwhelmingly destructive must the center of that battlefield be? Both of dominance level, their own elders instilled a fighting will to strive forward. While those two monsters on the opposite side could only bring despair! Forget catching up, they couldn''t even comprehend what they were seeing! That earth-shattering power seemed like it appeared out of thin air, completely defying the most basic underlying logic! Elsewhere, with one hand Zhu Haomiao caught Susano-o''s heavy punch, coldly staring at him expressionlessly. Illusory Spiritual Power penetrated reality, a high-temperature red glow of destruction flickered deep within Zhu Haomiao''s eyes, his five fingers contracting slowly like a hydraulic press. Cracking~ "Aaaahhhh!!" Amid the creepy cracking sound of bones, Susano-o''s fist was crushed alive, twisted into a mass of deformed rotten flesh, faintly showing jagged white bone stubs poking through the skin. "An angry pig, still just a pig." Listening to the enemy''s screams of agony, Zhu Haomiao curled his lips coldly, delivering a kick to the opponent''s chest and abdomen. "Poof!" High-temperature blood mixed with visceral fragments spewed from Susano-o''s mouth, then his entire body transformed into a straight line, piercing into a small hillside hundreds of meters away. Rumble~ S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Another tremor shook the earth and mountains. Zhu Haomiao strolled leisurely, walking to the enemy, ready to break open the hard shell and enjoy the succulent blood food, when he suddenly frowned, lifting his head to look skyward. At the top of the sky, shrouded by eight-colored dark clouds, a bright moonbeam cleaved through the darkness like a Holy Sword, forming a massive pillar of light enveloping the giant snake shadow. "Roar!" Basking in the pale, icy moonlight, Orochi instinctively let out a hiss, its cold and cruel vertical pupils glaring intently at the bright moon above. Feeling the divine power on the verge of eruption, Zhu Haomiao grew wary, suddenly hearing a crazed and maniacal roar. "Do not interfere!!! This is my prey!!!!" In an instant, the moonbeam slowly receded from the sky, and in the next second, a scarlet pillar soared from the ground like a volcanic eruption. Boom! At the center of the massive Meteorite Crater, Susano-o slowly stood, the deformed twisted fist restored at a visible pace. "ë…ég¤è¤ê½µ¤ê¹â¤è" "Ìì¤Î…²ë…¤è" "È꤬Á¦¤òÎÒ¤¬Éí¤Ë" "霤ò’B¤¨,а¤òÇå¤á" "Ìì¤Î…²ë…,ë…égÆÆ•Ô" Deep, sacred murmurs resounded between heaven and earth, accompanied by Susano-o''s grasp in the air, a slender treasure sword pure as snow, like ceramic or forged from white bone, was drawn bit by bit from the void, its blade slicing through even time and space, revealing the chaotic writhing void beneath. In the void, Zhu Haomiao seemed to hear the world''s wails. This Illusion Realm was being harmed, merely because a fragment of a Divine Artifact not meant to appear here descended! Yes, it was clear that the sword in Susano-o''s hand was just a projection, yet it already strained the Illusion Realm of the First Layer Heaven. If it forcibly descended more divinity, both the Illusion Realm and the Divine Artifact holder would suffer mutual destruction! Understanding dawned, Zhu Haomiao cautiously drew the Eight-sided Han Sword, gazing solemnly at the enemy. Armor Breaking Power! Heavenly Gang Power! A limitless flow of Power poured into the sword''s handle, manifesting an indestructible sharp radiance on the blade edge. But the next second, Susano-o appeared before Zhu Haomiao like instant teleportation, swinging his sword "gently" down. Chapter 206 - 206: Xuanyuan Sword Raising his sword to block, but the moment it made contact, the extraordinary treasure sword that had accompanied Zhu Haomiao through several great battles silently snapped in two, not even offering the slightest resistance! Even though he was mentally prepared, a storm of shock surged in the young man''s heart, and instinctively he shot backwards. High-level Divinity! Unstoppable! S§×ar?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Retreat! However, the white porcelain-like bone sword pursued relentlessly, turning even space-time to illusion as it effortlessly cleaved Zhu Haomiao''s chest. [Heavenly Gang Power]! [Hard Qi Skill]! 74 points [Body] attribute! The terrifying defense based on the rules of this plane did not work in the slightest; the divine suppression of a high-level divinity ignored all obstructions, leaving a ghastly sword mark on Zhu Haomiao. If he hadn''t dodged in time, this sword would have cut him in half directly! Yet, although he avoided the most lethal edge of the sword, the residual force of the divine sword blade extended into his body, making Zhu Haomiao''s flesh and blood transparent and illusory, writhing and trembling like water waves, as if it were going to be obliterated into nothingness by the destructive divinity attached to the sword blade. At the critical moment, the [Book of Black] quietly bloomed with chaotic black light, nullifying the law''s erasure on a conceptual level, and the originally illusory and transparent oscillating flesh coagulated instantly. But the material level destruction still exerted true and undeniable effect on Zhu Haomiao, stretching from his left chest to his right abdomen, a hideous sword scar over a meter long and five centimeters deep slashed across his body, at its deepest revealing the cut white bones and underneath them the trembling visceral organs. Meanwhile, on a symbolic level, the giant''s sword fell like thunder, silently severing three heads of Orochi, from the smooth mirror-like cut surface spewed thick black smoke with high corrosion, was no longer able to let out a shrill wailing, and painfully struggled to retreat. In an instant, retreating hundreds of meters, Zhu Haomiao lowered his head to gaze at the terrifying sword mark that almost bisected him, a pink divine light flickered in his pupils. The [Lust] authority released all its power, the exposed scarlet flesh squirmed and healed as if alive, but before it could scab over and mend, the remaining destructive divinity attached to the wound ruthlessly tore it apart again. Life divinity and destructive divinity conflicted fiercely, wounds opening and healing, healing and opening, over and over, like the cruelest torture, bringing Zhu Haomiao an unending excruciating pain. Yet, under the effect of the [anger] original sin, these painful damages transformed into waves of pleasure invading his brain, causing Zhu Haomiao to raise a pathological twisted smile. Raising his eyes to look at the enemy whose flesh was also blurring and trembling like water waves, Zhu Haomiao realized that was the price of using super heavenly power! Meeting Zhu Haomiao''s gaze, Susano-o clutched the violently trembling treasure sword, revealing a ferocious mad grin. "Now, do you know who the swine is?" No reply came, Zhu Haomiao''s deep pure black pupils were as calm as an ancient well, his brain working at high speed, contemplating a way to break the stalemate. But after thinking it through, he knew all his power systems were based on the First Layer Heaven law, lacking experience in dealing with this kind of super heavenly divinity. That is a gap in [Quality], not something [Quantity] can resolve... The only possibly effective method was the [Pride]''s authority to create miracles. But could the [Pride] at LV.6 create a miracle to resist super heavenly divinity? After a brief contemplation, Zhu Haomiao knew it was impossible, not because [Pride] couldn''t do it, but because his material foundation couldn''t support it creating a high-level divinity out of thin air. But at that moment, a spark of inspiration flashed through Zhu Haomiao''s mind. If it couldn''t be created out of thin air, what if there was something ready-made? Not creating, just obtaining the authority to use it... With a thought, a grand and mysterious ancient door surfaced in the depths of Zhu Haomiao''s sea of consciousness. A glimmer of purple-gold bloomed in the depths of his pure black pupils, the [Pride] authority unleashed with full power, forcibly pushing open the door that shouldn''t open at the [Initial Heavenly Position]. "Swine! Kneel down!" On the material plane, Susano-o raised his sword, the divine suppression like authority manifesting as words spoken into reality, invisible pressure descended from the sky, causing the ground dozens of meters around Zhu Haomiao to collapse instantaneously into a bottomless pitch-black pit. But under this terrifying suppression, the ground beneath Zhu Haomiao''s feet remained unscathed, like a steel needle erect in the center of the pit, supporting the young man''s unyielding stand. "With your bearing capacity, how many more slashes can you handle?" Lowering his head, Zhu Haomiao''s voice inexplicably became ethereal, sounding like a whisper from the heavens. Seeing him still struggling desperately, Susano-o displayed a cruel squinting, cat-playing mouse grin. "No matter how many more swings I have, it''s enough to kill you!" "Is it so?" Buzz~ The [Pride] authority forcibly opened a slight gap in the [Yanhuang Armory] door, Zhu Haomiao abruptly raised his gaze, countless ancient vast terrifying auras pouring from the depths of his abyss-like dark pupils. The [Book of Black] simultaneously burst forth with brilliant gold light from both the Illusionary Page and the True Page, and four runes on the pages resonated and trembled in mirrored synchronization, forming a mysterious divine seed connecting reality and illusion. [Stacked Waves Strength¡¤Fierce Wave]! [Gale Force¡¤Spirit Rhinoceros]! [Storage Explosion¡¤Mountain Destruction]! [Flying Brilliance¡¤Star Fall]! The ethereal cultivation realm sublimated into a certain real and concrete concept entity, establishing a link with the mysterious existence in the void. In a trance, Zhu Haomiao sensed four star-like immense energy sources in the boundless star sea beyond the slit in the door responding to his summons. Instinctively, Zhu Haomiao reached out a hand to grasp the cold heavy sensation from the void. Hiss~ Spirit, energy, and essence burst forth like a flood from a gate, as the boy slowly and grimly dragged as if pulling a mountain from the void. Woo woo woo~ In an instant, gales howled, and the sun and moon lost their light, all top transcendent beings on the planet heard the earth''s lament. A heavy, ancient golden copper sword condensed and materialized bit by bit from the void, its broad blade covered with mysterious cloud patterns, one side engraved with sun, moon, and stars, and the other with mountains, rivers, and forests. When the last tip of the blade completely "unsheathed," Zhu Haomiao instantly understood; he was holding one of the National Guardian Divine Artifacts of the entire China. [Xuanyuan Sword]! "Roar!!" Behind him, the shadow of Orochi roared at the sky, its form expanded again, ancient cloud patterns emerged on its scales, and its sinister serpent heads underwent a transformation, sprouting twin horns becoming majestic dragon heads. In that moment, the originally sinister and terrifying demonic phantom exhibited a touch of sacred grandeur. Raising his eyes, gazing at the faraway Susano-o with a distorted, fearful, and incredulous face, Zhu Haomiao softly curled his lips. "I still prefer the confident appearance you had just now¡­" Chapter 207 - 207: Heavenly Light Boom! The final pillar at the center of the black abyss collapsed with a thunderous crash, but the young man had already disappeared from his original spot, appearing without warning before Susano-o. Faced with the holy sword''s blade reminiscent of divine punishment, Susano-o''s eyes turned red as he desperately squeezed out all his energy to wield the "Heavenly Cluster Cloud" in his hand, meeting the attack head-on! Boom~ Even though it was just a projection of the Divine Artifact, the destructive force of the clashing swords swept across a thousand meters, with tsunami-like waves of energy demolishing all the surrounding buildings, mixing with debris and sand to engulf the onlookers, sweeping them further away. In the center of the battlefield, after a brief stalemate, the heavy and ancient sacred power eventually shattered Susano-o''s desperate strike, irresistibly sweeping the "Heavenly Cluster Cloud" aside, gently slicing towards his head. At the critical moment, a sword-like moonbeam once again cleaved through the dark clouds, enveloping the entire illusory image of Orochi. Zhu Haomiao''s sword momentum suddenly froze, giving Susano-o a sliver of hope. Crack~ A thick arm was severed at the shoulder, and Susano-o spit out a mouthful of blood, tracing a parabolic arc towards the ground in a tragic flight. Meanwhile, Zhu Haomiao remained "frozen" in his sword-thrusting posture, his neck slowly and stiffly raising. He saw a gigantic full moon tearing apart the clouds and shrouding the earth. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The moon was so enormous it seemed not to be a celestial body 380,000 kilometers away, but rather floating above everyone''s heads, as if it might fall at any moment! In the center of the moon, an exceptionally beautiful girl in a plain kimono overlooked the earth, her eyes cold as frost meeting Zhu Haomiao''s gaze across the long distance. "Give up the struggle, child of the dragon..." "Forcing two of the Three Noble Sons to join forces against you is something to be proud of..." The girl''s whisper echoed in his ears, frozen by the cold moonlight, causing Zhu Haomiao''s thoughts to become slow and dull. He could only watch as the one-armed Susano-o slowly stood up, holding the "Heavenly Cluster Cloud" with a twisted, menacing expression, walking towards him. The authority of the "Xuanyuan Sword" was not suitable for dealing with this situation... Am I going to die? A premonition arose in his heart, and though unwilling, anger surged in his heart. Zhu Haomiao''s eyes flickered with Purple Gold Divine Light, once again exhausting all his potential. One is not enough, then two! "Greed"!! Ignoring the limits of spirit and body, Zhu Haomiao recklessly overdrew his future self for strength. Silently, a response came from the crack of the pushed-open door, a wisp of ethereal and mystical spirit light appeared above Zhu Haomiao''s head, condensing into a bright Divine Mirror etched with Taiyin Xuanwen, reflecting all things. "Kunlun Mirror"! In an instant, the "Kunlun Mirror" suspended above the young man''s head burst forth with thousands of divine lights, reflecting the true form of the moon in the sky. Ping! A shattering sound like breaking ice resounded, and a spiderweb-like crack slowly formed. The surface of the floating moon rippled with intense waves. In the next moment, the illusion indistinguishable from the real quietly shattered, revealing the majestic and grand moon that suppressed the earth and unfolded its true form. It was a massive and magnificent mirror with a diameter of dozens of meters, with a translucent jade-like texture, now quietly floating behind the girl, scattering the luminescent brilliance of the moon. It was also one of Japan''s National Guardian Divine Artifacts¡ªthe "Yata Mirror"! "Hmm..." Forced to break the spell, the divinity backlash caused the girl to tremble as if struck by lightning, her snow-white lips spilling crimson blood, inexplicably bringing a touch of poignant sadness. Suspended above, the "Kunlun Mirror" and the "Yata Mirror" corresponded from afar. Zhu Haomiao, bearing the pressure of the standoff with the heavens, watched Susano-o coming resolutely towards him, grinning fiercely as he raised the "Xuanyuan Sword." Boom! The sword blade cleaved down, and the two National Guardian Divine Artifacts collided without flair. In an instant of stalemate, the "Heavenly Cluster Cloud" was swept aside again, and the golden sword blade slashed across, slicing Susano-o in half at the waist. "Aaaaah!!!!" Amidst the frenzied cries of painful agony, Susano-o could no longer sustain himself. The "Heavenly Cluster Cloud" flew from his hand, momentarily becoming ephemeral and vanishing. On the other side, realizing the enemy was not immediately dead, considering this guy''s resilience rivaling that of a cockroach¡ªable to revive despite having his chest crushed last time¡ªZhu Haomiao decisively prepared to deliver the final blow. This time, he would use the "Xuanyuan Sword" to annihilate every trace of life, preventing him from reviving! Just as the young man raised his sword to strike, a gentle sigh echoed through the world. "Alas~" The soft whisper contained unbelievable terrifying power. In an instant, night turned into day, and an arrogant sun appeared out of nowhere at the top of the sky, its blazing flames illuminating heaven and earth, suppressing the entire world. On the ground, the intelligent creatures throughout Han City stared dumbfoundedly at the strange sight of the sun and moon shining together, their mouths agape. "Hehe~" Elizabeth Tia laughed silently, feeling like her life''s efforts were just a joke at that moment. However, the funniest part was that beings of such level were actually competitors on the same stage as them. By what virtue or ability did she deserve to stand on the same platform as these monsters? Does this make sense?!! Beside her, her brother Blake hugged her shoulders tighter. "Be strong." "..." Not only Elizabeth Tia but even the various national dominants who already knew the inside story were struggling to hold on. For the first time, these chosen ones standing at the pinnacle of the First Layer of Heaven personally experienced the oppressive despair from the "High Sky Rank". They originally had no concrete concept of abstract words like "Abyss" or "Holy Spirit". They thought that even if these beings were stronger, they were only slightly superior to themselves, as the First Layer of Heaven''s limit was right there... But at this moment, they finally understood the meaning of "God". It was a Super Heavenly Position existence! It was fundamentally not something "humans" could resist! Amidst the bystanders questioning their existence, in the center of the battlefield, Zhu Haomiao looked at the dignified girl floating high above the nine heavens, frowning slowly. An ancient and primitive hook jade hung at the girl''s chest resonated with the blazing sun behind her, releasing golden-red divine flame. "Heavenly Light." Along with the girl''s soft murmur, golden-red divine flames appeared out of thin air around Zhu Haomiao, instantly vaporizing everything within a dozen meters, as powerful tongues of flame surged and swayed. Amidst the devastated battlefield, a "magnificent flower" with a diameter of over a dozen meters slowly bloomed. The powerful "Heavenly Gang Power" instantly dissolved, and the "Hard Qi Skill" was equally ineffective. Had it not been for the divine protection of the "Xuanyuan Sword" and the "Kunlun Mirror", Zhu Haomiao would have turned to ash in an instant. Even with the protection of two National Guardian Divine Artifacts, the youth''s skin still carbonized and turned black at a speed visible to the naked eye. Chapter 208 - 208: Sunset In a daze, Zhu Haomiao felt as if he were Sun Wukong being trapped in the Alchemy Furnace by Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad, being burned to the core of his soul. Instinctively wanting to retaliate, the young man looked up at the two young girls in the sky where the sun and moon shone together, knowing he couldn''t do it. The concept of "distance" between them was distorted and altered, exceeding the physical scale and becoming an "untouchable" at the level of law. Just like the sun and moon in the realm of reality, visible but unreachable! Wait! Distance! Subconsciously, a flash of spirit light occurred in Zhu Haomiao''s mind, thinking of the Flying Radiance Skill. This was precisely a Cultivation Technique designed to counter distant enemies; could its "Star Fall" correspond to a Divine Artifact at the conceptual level?! With a flicker in his eyes, Zhu Haomiao loosened his five fingers, and the heavy, majestic "Xuanyuan Sword" suddenly dissipated and became ethereal. By using the Divinity seed of "Flying Brilliance¡¤Star Fall", another Divine Artifact from the "Yanhuang Armory" responded to the young man''s call. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As he raised his hand and grasped the air, a crimson, ancient bow handle appeared in his palm, extending and solidifying to both sides. In the twinkling of an eye, a splendid crimson longbow, as tall as a person and radiating countless divine lights, appeared in Zhu Haomiao''s hand. Above the nine-layered heaven, seeing the young man draw out another Divine Artifact, Amaterasu''s once calm and composed eyes could no longer maintain tranquility, trembling wildly. She knew that the Chinese Gods had forged a terrifying "Yanhuang Armory," but even true Gods of the nine-layered heaven would typically specialize in just one Lifebound Divine Artifact. Being able to switch and use two kinds of Divine Artifacts was already rare beyond comparison, not to mention using two simultaneously while switching through three! Where is the pride of the National Guardian Divine Artifact?! What about the conflict of Divinity?!! Why could that guy pull out Divine Artifacts as if they were toys?! More terrifyingly, she felt that the Divine Artifact in the other person''s hands was innately restraining herself! Boom! Instinctively mobilizing energy, the golden-red flame on the ground soared into the sky, forming a flame pillar over a hundred meters high. However, the Divine Artifact in his hand seemed naturally to counter the True Sun Fire, and although the opponent strengthened their offensive, Zhu Haomiao felt even more at ease instead. The carbonized, blackened skin peeled off, revealing the tender pink flesh underneath, which was quickly covered by a layer of new skin at a speed visible to the naked eye. As if blessed by spirit, Zhu Haomiao raised the longbow, slowly and laboriously pulling the bowstring, a white-feathered arrow appearing out of thin air, accurately set on the bowstring. With the boy on the ground raising his bow to aim, the two young girls in the sky felt a chilling fear surge from their tailbones to their heads, an unexplainable panic flooding their minds. That was the instinctive fear of being targeted by a Heavenly Enemy! Buzz~ With a cool expression, Yueyejian also began to recklessly mobilize power, as the enormous "Yata Mirror" behind her released sword-like beams piercing the heaven and earth, only to be firmly blocked by the "Kunlun Mirror" floating above Zhu Haomiao. "Sun-shooting Bow..." Whispering the name of the Divine Artifact in his hand, Zhu Haomiao eyes locked onto the girl in the sky, his lips curling into a teasingly cruel smile. "Heavenly Light, is it?" Twange~ Releasing the bowstring, an almost imperceptible straight "beam" broke through the concept of distance, piercing the entire realm, instantly hitting the target. The arrogant sun suppressing all beings suddenly shuddered, slowly extinguishing like an illusion. Without the illumination of the Divinity projection, the supernatural daytime reverted to night, with only a bright moon remaining in the sky. And above the nine-layered heaven, Amaterasu stiffly lowered her head, staring at the over ten-centimeter diameter opening piercing her chest, overflowing with irrepressible torrents of blood at her lips. "Sister." Even knowing that death in the Illusion Realm was just a mirage, Yueyejian couldn''t help but let out a mournful wail. The next second, the dignified girl wrapped in golden-red flames slowly fell, like a blazing meteor cutting through the sky, tragically plummeting toward the ground. But with no time to mourn for her sister, Yueyejian helplessly watched as the monster on the ground pulled the bowstring again. This time, he aimed at her! Instinctively wanting to flee, but the "Yata Mirror" and "Kunlun Mirror" were reflecting each other, with the Divinity entangled together, fixing both the enemy and herself! In a fluster, unable to untangle their mutual entrapment, Yueyejian could only watch as the bowstring drew further and further back, sensing the shadow of death slowly enveloping her. "This feeling... so annoying..." Lightly biting her pink lip, Yueyejian softly complained. The next second, an almost imperceptible fine line traversed the sky, piercing through her chest and out her back, even penetrating the enormous mirror behind her, leaving a large "black spot." Exhale~ Watching a ethereally beautiful pure white figure fall from the sky, Zhu Haomiao exhaled a murky breath, the longbow in his hand and the bright mirror above his head gradually faded and vanished. Boom! The Door forcibly opened in the depths of his sea of consciousness slammed shut, finally giving his spiritual energy, essence, and spirit a chance to catch a breath. As the power dissipated, excruciating pain flooded his soul, a sign of severe spiritual and bodily overstrain, on the verge of collapse. But the young man did not relax, instead pushing forward with the last ounce of strength, spurring the Orochi phantom, advancing toward the place where the Three Noble Sons had fallen. As he moved, a serpent head dipped down, picking up a severed lower half and chewing it delightfully, as if a true Demon God tasting its spoils. While another of its heads slowly stretched toward Susano-o, whose upper body was all that remained a few dozen meters away. Watching in horror as the terrifying maw filled with tusks engulfed himself, Susano-o held no fear in his eyes, only endless resentment and hatred. "Beast, one day, I''ll kill you! Kill you! Kill kill kill kill kill!!!" Yet hearing his frantic, twisted threating howl, Zhu Haomiao not only didn''t get angry but instead raised a gratified smile. Even facing death, Lord was thinking of delivering another wave next time... He truly made me cry of laughter! "It''s a deal; I''ll be waiting for you." Seeing Zhu Haomiao unperturbed by his threats and curses, instead wearing an expectant and calm expression, Susano-o experienced once more his opponent''s profound disdain. As if seeing a clawing ant, a normal person would not be frightened but amused. And he himself was that ridiculous ant! Realizing this, Susano-o''s already nearly broken sanity completely broke down. But he knew, in this situation, any harsh words would be merely a loser''s howl, neither threatening nor damaging but indeed humorous. Unable to refute, seething fury churned inside him, forcing only hysterical, crazed screams from his mouth! "Aaaaaaaah!!!!! Fuck you, damn it!!!" Yet the next second, the abyssal maw engulfed him like a tunnel, its jaws bristling with tusks coming together, cutting off his mindless roar. Chapter 209 - 209: Even 3 Against 1 Still Got Wiped Out Crunch crunch~ The massive snake jaws chewed with delight, the chilling sound of bones cracking filled the air. A taste of unparalleled sweetness spread in Zhu Haomiao''s mouth as if he truly savored the enemy''s flesh and blood. [Gluttony] Devours Source Quality, [All Attributes] +7 On a level beyond the physical, the soul, having lost the protection of the body, was completely exposed under the radiation of the [Book of Black], immense fiery desires rumbled like colossal waves, continuously evaporating. Slightly squinting his eyes, endless hunger and desire filled his spirit. Zhu Haomiao, following the guidance of instinct, wielded the authority of the [Book of Black]. The next second, the multicolored mists, unobservable to others, surged like a torrent, continuously absorbed into the youth''s body. Like a traveler in the desert diving into a sweet spring, the surging vitality coursed through his body, stabilizing the nearly collapsing spirit and body from extreme overdraft. But soon, the source quality and desires sifted out by death were completely devoured, the enemy''s divine soul was repelled and ejected by the plane law, disappearing from perception. However, just as he was leaving, the [Jealousy] authority forcibly tore away a portion of divinity, permanently plundering it and merging it deep into Zhu Haomiao''s soul. "Roar!!!" In the midst of nothingness, Zhu Haomiao seemed to hear a familiar impotent fury, but it disappeared beyond the plane in an instant. With a shiver through his body, the youth quietly comprehended the divinity plundered by [Jealousy], and chaotic, black light surged and swirled in his eyes. He looked up at the towering shadow of Orochi enveloping him like a mountain, and Zhu Haomiao''s lips curled into a manic smile. The high-rank authority of [Jealousy] actually had the chance to permanently plunder others'' power! Too terrifying! Thankfully, this thing is mine! Licking his lips, the overdrafted and wounded spirit and body still roared in hunger. Zhu Haomiao lifted his gaze, looking at the two beautiful "stars" that had fallen from the sky not far away. The youth lifted his steps, the Orochi behind him moved slowly yet swiftly, reaching the two "meteorite craters" not far away. Two stunning girls, their looks eighty percent similar, lay miserably in the center of the craters, even the gaping holes in their chests were identical. Watching as the destructive divinity of the [Sun-shooting Bow] bit by bit annihilated their vitality, Zhu Haomiao felt a twinge of pity, deciding to act quickly while they were still... No, to resolve it while they were fresh. The Orochi hung its greedy head low, slowly opening its abyss-like mouth. Facing the approaching menacing tusks, the two girls'' eyes showed an unusual calm, with no trace of fear. "Son of the Dragon..." A gentle murmur echoed by his ear, the massive snake''s tusks paused before the girls, and Zhu Haomiao watched her with interest. "Do you have anything else to say?" "We lost this time..." The girl dressed in a golden-red luxurious dress spoke without the slightest emotion, as if merely stating a fact unrelated to her. "But due to the limitation of the heavenly position, we couldn''t exert our true power." S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "As our heavenly position rises, the original power we can unleash will be greater, and the gap between us will become more evident." Calmly staring into the youth''s deep, pure black eyes, a confident, elegant smile appeared on the girl''s beautiful face. "One loss does not determine eternity." "Next encounter, I will reclaim victory." Upon hearing this, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but show an appreciative gaze, slightly raising the corners of his mouth. Delivering oneself from a thousand miles away, a small gift but with deep affection! "I just love your indomitable attitude!" Giving a thumbs-up in praise, the youth suddenly turned his words, puzzled. "However, if you three had joined forces in the beginning and perhaps ambushed me, the outcome would surely be different. Why..." Even in games, you first focus fire on one enemy. Your operation of saving the grandpa one by one is truly abstract. Hearing the youth''s unsaid doubt, Amaterasu rolled her eyes at him. Clearly in a miserable and haggard state, yet her inadvertent charm still made Zhu Haomiao''s heart pound, giving rise to wicked thoughts. Before they become stale, maybe I should indeed... Ah, the size of the hole in her chest is just perfect. But immediately realizing, Zhu Haomiao shivered, suppressing the blasphemous thoughts. A person''s desires can be down-to-earth but not heading to the underworld! No unseemly thoughts! No unseemly thoughts! Meanwhile, unaware of the youth''s ludicrous and evil thoughts, Amaterasu spoke softly. "If it weren''t for the desperate situation, I wouldn''t have acted!" "The Three Noble Sons of Japan joined forces against a Chinese Martial God. Regardless of the outcome, the moment we made that decision, we already lost." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao suddenly understood. He was accustomed to thinking from a mortal''s perspective, forgetting that these Transcendents with mythical bloodlines inherently carried strong symbolic significance. Just like the Three Heroes fighting Lu Bu, even if Lu Bu lost, would people think the Three Heroes were impressive? No! People would only think Lu Bu was impressive! Whether it was Gabriel, the Blazing Angel, or the Three Noble Sons of Japan, they represented the spiritual symbols of their respective civilizations. When the Three Noble Sons needed to work together to confront an unknown Chinese Martial God, whether win or lose, they had already lost miserably. Even more tragic now, they couldn''t win even three against one, the little idiots over there must feel like the sky has fallen! Understanding this, Zhu Haomiao thoughtfully nodded slight. "Finally, I want to ask, why can you access the [Yanhuang Armory] at the First Layer Heaven?" "How can you switch between using three National Guardian Divine Artifacts?" This was also what puzzled Amaterasu the most. They were already at the limit of what the First Layer Heaven could bear, yet the enemy was even more astonishing. One person maneuvering three National Guardian Divine Artifacts, even true gods of the nine-layered heaven wouldn''t dare try easily! Even stranger, these artifacts were not lifebound divine artifacts accompanying him but rather ancient National Guardian Divine Artifacts summoned from the [Yanhuang Armory]. This was simply inconceivable! How many Initial Heavenly Position geniuses spent their whole lives unable to push open the [Yanhuang Armory] door? Even if the door is opened, the proud divine artifacts are not something one can take at will. They are like aloof goddesses. To pursue them, you have to call to them, communicate, grow familiar, and prove yourself to receive a response, a process that easily takes hundreds or thousands of virtual years! Upon thinking of this, Amaterasu looked at Zhu Haomiao with even more confusion. One artifact per thousand years, how could you summon three at once? Moreover, once someone gains the recognition of a divine artifact, the user will be imbued with the inception aura of the artifact. This inception aura, more or less, creates a repulsion with other divine artifacts, the so-called divinity conflict! But on Zhu Haomiao, Amaterasu could not see any trace of conflict. Chapter 210 - 210: Glory Belongs to You Switching from the [Xuanyuan Sword] to the [Sun-shooting Bow], the transition was seamless! Seeing the girl''s bewildered expression, Zhu Haomiao pondered for a moment and shrugged. "I don''t know~" "..." "Is it that hard?" "..." Seeing the boy''s clear and sincere questioning gaze, Amaterasu fell into deep silence. Seeing that his words rendered the other silent, Zhu Haomiao shrugged helplessly. "Any last words? If not, I''m going to start now." The girl just gave him a deep look, calmly closed her eyes. The next second, two giant snake heads opened their jaws and bit down viciously, greedily chewing and swallowing the two girls. Crack crunch~ The crisp sound of bones breaking echoed in the snake''s mouth, Zhu Haomiao closed his eyes in intoxication, once again savoring the unparalleled sweet and savory taste. [Gluttony] devoured the Source Quality, [All Attributes] +9 [Gluttony] devoured the Source Quality, [All Attributes] +10 Two consecutive prompts appeared in the [Book of Black], Zhu Haomiao opened his eyes slowly, frantically absorbing the nearly infinite blazing Original Sin, in the depths of his pupils, the divine colors rolled turbulently. "Roar!" The shadow of Orochi behind him let out a pained yet joyful roar, the three severed snake necks writhed and grew new heads at a visible speed. The already massive body continued to swell, instantly surpassing a hundred meters. The swaying snake heads scanned the surroundings, their greedy and hungry gaze as if they wanted to swallow all life in Han City. Even across a long distance, all the descenders felt the tangible gaze, an oppressive feeling enveloped the world making them tremble and fall into endless fear. It was a crushing from the level of life, a powerlessness and despair mortals feel when facing an ancient God Demon! But just when they were about to collapse, the divine souls of the two girls were repelled out of this plane, Zhu Haomiao exhaled a satisfied breath of turbid air, the unrestrained Orochi behind him gradually lowered its head, retracting its aura. [Greed]: LV.7¡úLV.8 [Jealousy]: LV.7¡úLV.8 [Anger]: LV.8¡úLV.9 [Gluttony]: LV.6¡úLV.8 [Lust]: LV.5¡úLV.8 [Sloth]: LV.6¡úLV.8 [Pride]: LV.6¡úLV.8 Looking at the [Book of Black] with its levels of Seven Deadly Sins swelling madly, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but clasp his hands together, showing devout gratitude. Thank you, Lord, for your gifts, I hope next time I see you, you will be even plumper and juicier... No, I hope you are healthy, peaceful, and joyous! Amen~ Devoutly drawing a cross on his chest, Zhu Haomiao retracted all his energy, and the substantial-looking Orochi slowly dissipated into the air. Sigh~ With a slow and deep breath, Zhu Haomiao looked down at the hideous sword mark on his chest and abdomen that was still cracking and healing, and pursed his lips in resignation. The remnant divinity of a high-ranked position will probably take a long time to wear off... However, there''s something more important right now... Looking up, the boy gazed in the direction of the command center of Han City, and with a measured pace, he gradually made his way forward. On the multi-layered elastic defensive positions, the descenders from various countries watched the small figure approaching, not daring to make any move. Everyone knew how terrifying the monster hidden beneath that seemingly harmless exterior was! Fear, doubt, admiration, fanaticism... Basking in various complex gazes, Zhu Haomiao passed through unimpeded and stepped into the strictly guarded command center of Han City. The structure here was identical to the one up north, and the boy, familiar with the place, walked towards the command hall. Everywhere he went, contenders stationed there parted like the sea, not daring to block his path. Until the entrance of the command hall, Zhu Haomiao saw a young man wearing a badge with a shield-shaped bald eagle. Under his nervous and trembling gaze, Zhu Haomiao walked up, smiling slightly. "Once I step in here, it counts as occupying Han City, right?" Tommy Perez looked at the boy''s abyss-black eyes and sighed powerlessly, bowing his head and moving aside respectfully. "Yes, the honor belongs to you." Casually glancing at him, Zhu Haomiao strode into the command hall. At the moment his feet crossed the threshold, all the contenders'' Holy Emblems trembled slightly, and an electronic voice, neither male nor female, sounded in their minds. "Zhu Haomiao, the Chinese contender, has conquered the Han City command center, the Japan faction has failed, the [Battle of Jiawu] has ended." ......... Forcibly suppressing the increasingly severe Lost reaction, Zhu Haomiao returned to Pyongyang, refusing all celebrations and social engagements, and went straight back to the cruise ship. In the dining room, Wilson had already prepared an enormous amount of extraordinary food, waiting respectfully for his arrival. "Squee!" But the first to greet Zhu Haomiao was a cute ball of fluffy white fur. However, when the boy''s horrendous wound, which almost split him in two, came into view, Diao Chan trembled all over, and a large amount of water quickly filled its bright black eyes. "It''s time to wash, it''s time to wash, Shuishui''s about to wash again..." Zhu Haomiao: "..." S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Why the heck are you saying again?! Rolling his eyes at it, Zhu Haomiao went straight into the dining room. He would have to rest for a long period, just like a snake before hibernation, he must accumulate a vast amount of material nutrition for digestion and absorption before sleeping deeply. "Squee! Shuishui don''t wash~" Realizing what was happening, Diao Chan whimpered and scampered up Zhu Haomiao''s body, licking his wounds. Zhu Haomiao hadn''t had time to stop it before Diao Chan''s fur bristled, its pink little tongue being torn by the divine Sword Qi residue on the wound, blood flowing freely. However, bearing the intense pain, Diao Chan diligently licked the wound, its small tongue being cut repeatedly by the Sword Qi, blood continuously seeping out. In an instant, a warm sensation spread over the wound, Diao Chan''s blood mingling into the wound, the exposed grotesque flesh gradually healing, starting to scab. Seeing the wound shorten by a centimeter, Zhu Haomiao responded, grabbing Diao Chan by the scruff of the neck, both pained and angry, he growled softly. "Stop licking, do you have a death wish!" "Squee~" Diao Chan curled up its limbs and hung in the air, looking at him with big teary eyes, unaware of what it had done wrong. "Stop licking, I won''t die!" Seeing this, Zhu Haomiao softened his tone, rubbed its little head, and placed it aside. This tiny creature, even bled dry, couldn''t heal this wound! Next, the boy sat down grandly at the main position, and a maid immediately brought out the cutlery and poured him fine wine. But as she turned around, she saw a terrifying snake head as thick as a barrel slide past her face, hungrily lunging at the food on the table. Chapter 211 - 211: Triple Pupation "...¡­" "Ahhhhhhhhh!!!" The maid was stunned for a full two seconds before she let out a piercing, shrill scream, falling to the ground in fear and trembling violently like a sieve. "Shut up! Silence!" Wilson, impeccably dressed in a suit, glared at her impatiently. The swirling black light in his eyes frightened the maid into covering her mouth, sobbing silently. It was only then that the maid realized the gigantic snake, as thick as a barrel, extended from Zhu Haomiao''s back, not just one but eight! These giant snakes spread and swayed like wings, greedily and hungrily devouring the delicacies on the table, forming a wicked, eerie, terrifying yet slightly sacred picture alongside the young man who was eating with unhurried "elegance". "Don''t be afraid, they won''t harm you." With a gentle glance at the maid, Zhu Haomiao looked at the other shivering attendants, comforting them warmly. But in that instant of exchanged glances, the maid''s pupils turned a pink hue, and her instinctive fear was instantly suppressed, replaced by a frenzy of burning affection. Realizing that just another glance could make her fall hopelessly in love with him and willing to give everything, Zhu Haomiao frowned slightly and turned away coldly. Level 8 [Lust], quite outrageous... His miscellaneous thoughts flashed away, and Zhu Haomiao refocused on the food in front of him, continuing to taste it silently. The eight barrel-thick giant snakes swayed and extended, almost covering the entire dining room, devouring all sorts of delicacies in large gulps, the delicious flavors synchronizing into his own mouth. In a daze, Zhu Haomiao felt as if he had nine heads eating at once, clearing the table of food in just a few minutes. "Quick! Bring all the prepared food from the kitchen here!" Wilson ordered loudly, and several attendants, suppressing their fear, hurriedly rushed out of the dining room to the back kitchen. A few dozen seconds later, under the hungry gaze of the giant snakes, they nervously placed the food onto the table. Crunch crunch~ The sturdy bones crunched like cookies in the mouths of the giant snakes. Realizing these creatures did not consider them food, the attendants'' fear diminished slightly as they shuttled busily between the kitchen and the dining room like hardworking little bees. A continuous stream of extraordinary delicacies was delivered to the table like flowing water, only to quickly disappear into the abyssal mouths of the eight great snakes. In just a few hours, Zhu Haomiao consumed what could have fed a thousand people for almost a month. Just as Wilson was about to head into Pyongyang City again to buy ingredients, the young man put down his chopsticks and gently wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "No need, it''s barely enough, I''ll eat again next time." Ceasing to eat, the eight barrel-thick giant snakes slowly retracted behind the young man and vanished in an instant. Seeing the young man leave, the attendants noticed there was nothing behind the chair and vaguely understood something, lowering their heads in awe and fear. Back in the bedroom, Zhu Haomiao collapsed onto the bed, lost in thought. At that moment, Diao Chan scampered to the bedside, glancing at his face and then at the wound on his chest and abdomen, feeling restless. Catching its intentions, Zhu Haomiao grabbed it and reprimanded. "Licking everything will only harm you!" "Chirp chirp~" Diao Chan squirmed and struggled unwillingly in his hand, getting a light pinch from the young man. "If you don''t behave, I''ll get angry!" "Chirp~" Sensing its owner''s determination, Diao Chan submitted quietly, being placed onto his face by Zhu Haomiao. Inhaling the calming scent exuded by the pet, the young man felt a faint sense of healing, as the agitation and depression from the battle gradually dissipated. Hu~ Charging up with the ferret, Zhu Haomiao felt reinvigorated, finally having time to tally the gains from this round. All the levels of the Seven Deadly Sins have been promoted to Level 8, with [Anger] even advancing to Level 9! The enhancement of the Original Sin alone had brought his accumulated attributes to a remarkably high level! [God] +55 [Dexterity] +49 [Strength] +69 [Essence] +60 [Qi] +53 [Body] +70 Additionally, the [Gluttony] Authority devoured the Source Quality of the Three Noble Sons, increasing his six-dimensional attributes by 27 points. This time, his six-dimensional attributes have increased by nearly 90 points on average! This already exceeds his existing strength by a large margin. If he includes the parts not yet digested, his average accumulated attribute will reach over 100 points! It''s impossible to digest completely, simply impossible! Under the increasingly strong World Suppression, how long will it take to digest? Zhu Haomiao looked at the ceiling, blinking aimlessly, feeling nothing but darkness in his future. Ultimately, I''m the one bearing it all alone, I''m just too blue... Solemn and aggrieved, Zhu Haomiao shifted his focus and snapped his fingers lightly. Snap~ Like magic, a cascade of enticing shining gold coins fell from the void, completely submerging the young man like a waterfall. "Chirp!" Knocked aside by the wave of gold coins, Diao Chan emerged, angrily scratching a [Greed Coin]. On the other hand, Zhu Haomiao enjoyed the pleasure of lying on the gold mountain, sighing contentedly. Compared to the trifling fare of mortals, the nutrition of a god is indeed more bountiful... Hoping that the siblings grow strong and healthy... Sending out blessings in his heart once more, Zhu Haomiao had a thought, and the bed full of gold coins suddenly vanished, startling Diao Chan into a flurry of chirping. Ignoring the startled pet, the young man squinted, quietly savoring the mysterious and bizarre powers. Beyond the tangible rewards, the enhancement of the Original Sin Authority was even more significant. In the first instant, Zhu Haomiao turned his attention to [Sloth]! Soon, as he understood the new Authority of [Sloth], the young man could not help but raise his eyebrows in delight. Triple Cocoon! He could simultaneously break through three cultivation techniques, further doubling the speed of attribute digestion! After a few seconds of contemplation, glancing at the sword scar writhing and cracking on his chest and abdomen, Zhu Haomiao used his Divine Thought to seal hundreds of [Greed Coins], the seeds of three Basic Force skills, and a vast amount of attributes deep into his spirit and body. Invisible gray-white threads wrapped around him layer by layer, and when the Triple Cocoon was complete, Zhu Haomiao squeezed his weak, powerless fist, frowning slightly. Only about Bronze Level strength remains, quite a harsh reduction! At the same time, overwhelming fatigue flooded his mind, compounded by severe lost reactions, Zhu Haomiao felt dizzy, his eyelids heavy as if filled with lead. Never mind, the rest of the Original Sin can be studied next time... Clinging to the last shred of clarity, Zhu Haomiao held Diao Chan in his arms. "It''s time for us to go home." The next instant, an overwhelming sense of weightlessness engulfed his body and mind, and in the hazy confusion, Zhu Haomiao grasped an invisible door handle and gently pushed outward. It felt as if he crossed an invisible film, his toes touching solid ground, and the young man looked around, seeing the familiar single dormitory room. Chapter 212 - 212: Martial Arts Training Without Practicing, All in Vain Even in Old Age! Feeling a bit confused, Zhu Haomiao gradually shook off the sense of detachment from waking up from a big dream, letting out a long sigh of relief. "Chirp!" Diao Chan eagerly dashed to the bedside, pulling a phone out of its mouth and plugging in the charger. "...¡­" Does this damn rat have an internet addiction? Narrowing his eyes, Zhu Haomiao picked up the engrossed Diao Chan watching videos, ignoring its grunting, and pried open its mouth. "Don''t move, let me see!" After confirming that its little tongue had no injuries, Zhu Haomiao finally felt reassured and tossed it aside. Although theoretically, injuries sustained at the Initial Heavenly Position shouldn''t reflect in reality, Zhu Haomiao wasn''t quite sure about the damage caused by high-level divinity. He pulled open his collar to check his intact chest and abdomen, finally heaving a full sigh of relief. Putting his worries aside, Zhu Haomiao grabbed his phone, only to be greeted by a string of messages the moment he turned it on. "Shui, are you back yet?" "Shui, why haven''t you returned?" "You''ve been overdue by a day now!" "Cangcang is starving, come save him~" "Cangcang only has one last breath, and he said he wants to have a bite of your food before he dies." "Cangcang is already dead, no need to come back!" "Are you really not coming back?!!" ...... Looking at the messages that spanned nearly 40 hours, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but chuckle. Li Cang is lucky to have a friend like you¡­ "I''m back, heading over now." Just as he replied, a call came in immediately. "Why are you back only now? Cangcang is already starved to death!!" Hearing Ye Wan Ning''s aggrieved and teasing voice, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but laugh. "Has Li Cang been informed about his death?" "Not yet." "Then take him to go grocery shopping, I''m heading over soon." "Alright, Cangcang wants twice-cooked pork and spicy chicken, I want sweet and sour pork ribs, sweet braised pork¡­ slurp~" Hearing Ye Wan Ning name dishes while swallowing saliva, Zhu Haomiao reluctantly nodded. "Fine, you guys buy the ingredients, and I''ll cook for you." "OK~" Hanging up the phone, Zhu Haomiao grabbed the internet-obsessed Diao Chan and headed out of the dormitory with large strides. "Let''s go! I''m taking you to freeload on food and drink!" Hearing this, originally grumbling Diao Chan''s eyes lit up and it excitedly rubbed its little hands together. "Freeload chirp freeload cook!!" "You''re speaking human language well, don''t do it next time." "Very howl, Xuxu very howl~" The half-understanding Diao Chan puffed out its small chest proudly. Zhu Haomiao: "...¡­" Walking all the way to the villa district not far from school, he unlocked the garden gate''s smart lock with his fingerprint and was about to step inside when he suddenly sensed something and turned to look next door. But just as he looked over, a shadow suddenly disappeared around the corner not far away. Frowning suspiciously, Zhu Haomiao stared for a few seconds, noticing nothing unusual, and quickly dismissed it from his mind. Maybe a passerby just glanced over¡­ I''m being too sensitive¡­ Entering the villa, he noticed Ye Wan Ning and the others hadn''t returned from grocery shopping, leaving him bored, so he wandered into the courtyard''s shade and slowly began practicing stances. Uncle Zhu''s earlier advice still echoed in his ears about how training martial arts without actual practice was futile in the long run! His real-world six-dimensional attributes were too low to even handle a basic force effectively¡­ The cluttered thoughts flitted through his mind as Zhu Haomiao calmed his focus, standing with legs shoulder-width apart, arms naturally relaxing, and muscles loosened. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. As the Big Toad Qi was slowly aroused, the unseen life energy in the air was drawn into his body and circulated with his breaths, dispersing the energy to each cell. Gurgle gurgle gurgle~ When Ye Wan Ning returned from grocery shopping with Li Cang they found Zhu Haomiao standing in the courtyard amidst a faint toad''s croak lingering around him. "Big Toad Qi?" Recognizing Zhu Haomiao''s cultivation technique at a glance, Li Cang couldn''t help but quietly marvel. For someone at the First Layer Heaven to rouse extraordinary power in reality, his talent was astounding! On the other side, noticing the commotion, Zhu Haomiao halted his cultivation and opened his eyes, seeing Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang carrying bags and watching him. "You''re back." "Yeah, hurry and cook, I''m about to starve¡­" Half-pushed into the kitchen by Ye Wan Ning''s half-joking half-complaining manner, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably felt like a husband working overtime late and being scolded by his wife upon returning. No! I''m devoted to Teacher Su E, how can I be swayed by this enchantress of a senior sister?! He gritted his teeth hard, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, and focused on cooking. "Is there anything I can help with?" "Wash and dice the peppers cleanly." "Alright." Li Cang silently assisted, showcasing expert knife skills that once again impressed Zhu Haomiao. It seemed clear, Li Cang must have spent a lot of time chopping people in the Illusion Realm¡­ Before long, Ye Wan Ning also appeared in the kitchen with Diao Chan on her head, clamoring to help. But with their main contribution being causing trouble and sneaking bites, Zhu Haomiao unceremoniously chased them out. "Wait, what''s that on your chest?" Suddenly spotting a familiar glint of purple gold in the seam of his jacket, Ye Wan Ning''s brow twitched, reaching to lift his clothes. "Senior sister, I''m not that kind of person." "If you ask for more money, I''ll bite!" "Tch~" Seeing her trick exposed, Ye Wan Ning flashed her sharp little canine teeth, and Zhu Haomiao could only pout, letting her lift his jacket to reveal the purple gold Dragon Emblem underneath. "Dominance?!" Exchanging a surprised glance with Li Cang, Ye Wan Ning''s gaze lingered between the boy''s face and the Dragon Emblem, seeming to try confirming the connection between them. "What''s up? Is there a problem?" Seeing the exaggerated reaction from the two, Zhu Haomiao shrugged helplessly. "Advancing to dominion in four months, are you even human?" "Senior sister, that remark is a little hurtful." "I''m complimenting you!" "Great compliment, try not to next time." "Are you teaching me how to do things? I will compliment!" "..." Seeing the two bickering off-topic, Li Cang helplessly pinched the bridge of his nose. "Stop arguing, the sweet and sour ribs are getting burnt!" Prompted by his reminder, Zhu Haomiao remembered the dish he was cooking, quickly diverting his attention back to his culinary task. Noticing this, Ye Wan Ning had to suppress her curiosity, obediently sitting aside, resting her cheek on her hand, gazing at the boy devotedly cooking in the kitchen. Much later, as Zhu Haomiao set the last dish on the table, he saw Ye Wan Ning staring blankly at him, instantly becoming alert. What scheme is this woman plotting now?! Could she be thinking of squeezing money out of me?! On the other side, Ye Wan Ning, returning to her senses, had a faint blush on her cheeks as she awkwardly shifted her gaze away. Meanwhile, Li Cang''s eyes darted between the two, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "Let''s eat, the dishes are getting cold." "Oh." Chapter 213 - 213: Isnt This Easy? When it came to real business, the two of them immediately forgot the subtle atmosphere from before and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the grand plan of eating. Before long, Li Cang and Ye Wan Ning "heroically" fell, leaving only one person and one pet holding the fort and feasting. "I can understand Shui, but how could this dead rat, such a small thing, eat more than me?!!" Ye Wan Ning, with her belly round and full, glared at Diao Chan who was gnawing away at sweet and sour ribs, her face full of envy, jealousy, and resentment, and couldn''t resist stretching out her sinful little hand to poke its butt. "Squeak!" "Kekeke, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures belong to the virtuous, what right do you, a mere mouse, have to possess such a spiritual thing, bone come~" "Squeak?!" Watching Ye Wan Ning''s craziness and Diao Chan snatching food, making the little creature jump up and down, Zhu Haomiao silently rolled his eyes from the side. At this moment, a sentence from the TV, which had been playing as "background music" in the living room, suddenly caught everyone''s attention. "Next, we interrupt with an urgent news flash." "In the just concluded [U18 Ascension Competition - Battle of Jiawu], Chinese contenders and Japanese contenders had an ultimate showdown on the Peninsula." "Now, let''s watch the footage sent back from the scene by our reporter." After a brief introduction, a breathtakingly spectacular scene appeared on the TV. From the perspective of a bird''s eye view, two gigantic beings like mountains were violently fighting each other, with shockwaves visibly spreading outwards, flattening an area of several hundred meters into ruins. Seeing the incredibly detailed and realistic scene, more thrilling and magnificent than any monster movie, Li Cang and Ye Wan Ning couldn''t help but widen their eyes. "First Layer Heaven..." "Mythical State..." "Did a single Ascension Competition actually produce two monsters?" "Wait, why do I feel like I''ve seen these Dharma Forms somewhere before?" But before Ye Wan Ning could think further, the increasingly exaggerated collision of powers drew her attention until Susano-o pulled out a porcelain white treasure sword from the void, causing her and Li Cang to simultaneously gasp. "Divine Artifact projection?!" But just when they thought their contender''s defeat was inevitable, the following turn of events took another surprising twist. "What the heck?!!" "Xuanyuan Sword??!!!" "Wait! Are there more experts?!!" When a bright moon tore through all clouds and shone upon the earth, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang silently rushed to the TV, staring unblinkingly at the images on the screen, afraid to miss a single detail. Subsequently, when the dazzling arrogant sun turned night into day, suspending the sun and moon together at the pinnacle of the sky, the two fell into a collective silence. It wasn''t until the [Sun-shooting Bow] shot down two goddess-like girls from the top of the sky that they confusedly exchanged glances. "Oil, has the [U18 Ascension Competition] evolved to this level now?" "I don''t know~ It wasn''t this outrageous when we were in it back then!" Ye Wan Ning scratched her head, looking like "I don''t get it, but I''m greatly shocked." Then, the two unconsciously turned their gazes towards the boy who was still engrossed in eating. Although all the shots were from a distance, only capturing blurry silhouettes, they still sensed a familiar feel. "Shui, was that you?" "Yeah, it''s me, that''s why I took an extra day to wrap up the competition." Raising his head from the food, Zhu Haomiao pouted slightly in disdain, like a corporate slave forced to work overtime. "..." The two sat back at the dining table in silence, looking him up and down as if watching a monster. "What''s wrong?" "We knew you were extraordinary, but didn''t expect this level of extraordinary!" Ye Wan Ning couldn''t help but pinch his cheek, feeling the warm, real touch which slightly dispelled the unfamiliar sense of distance in her heart. Feeling their subtle and complicated emotions, Zhu Haomiao didn''t struggle and allowed Ye Wan Ning to mess around on his face. "Senior, is this very difficult?" Meeting the boy''s clear eyes, Ye Wan Ning looked at Li Cang with a face full of distress. "Damn, he played us again!" Sensing the boy''s deliberate messing around, Li Cang went with the flow and changed the topic. "How did you open the [Yanhuang Armory] in the First Layer Heaven?" "Uh¡­ wasn''t I slashed at the time, I just thought I must slash back, and then in a fit of anger, I pushed it open..." "..." "It''s true! Believe me, everyone has different physiques, I once, in a fit of extreme anger..." "Alright, alright, and how did you control the three National Guardian Divine Artifacts?" "Ah? Is it really that hard? Isn''t it just about having hands?" "..." Seeing the boy''s naive surprised expression, Li Cang gritted his teeth and rubbed his temples, squeezing out a few words through clenched teeth. "Oil, bite him." "Awooo!" Without hesitation, Ye Wan Ning let out a growl like a vicious dog and grabbed Zhu Haomiao''s hand for a bite. "Hiss!!!" Taking a sharp breath, Zhu Haomiao quickly pleaded for mercy. "I really don''t know, it felt quite easy to me, once I called out to them, they came!" Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Keep biting!" "Errrrrr..." "Really, believe me!!" "Oh! It must be the BUFF bonus from fighting little idiots, they also want to beat up little idiots!" Although the explanation was abstract and absurd, seeing the boy''s seemingly sincere appearance, Ye Wan Ning reluctantly let go. On the other side, rubbing the small neat rows of teeth marks on his hand, Zhu Haomiao lamented with a bitter face. This crazy girl likes to bite people for no reason, could she have rabies? "I feel like you''re secretly mocking me in your heart!" "Eh?!" "You are mocking me indeed!!" "Damn, you tricked me?!" "Awooo~~" "Ah! Senior, I was wrong, let go! Let go!!" On the side, Li Cang watched Zhu Haomiao being bitten till he grimaced, crossing his arms with a cold smile. A wicked person gets ground by a wicked dog! Serves you right for acting like Versailles! Do you know how much effort we put in to open the door to the [Yanhuang Armory], to get recognized and responded to by a Divine Artifact? On the other side, keenly aware that these two were just venting their frustration, deliberately taking it out on him, Zhu Haomiao meekly finished his dinner and decisively sneaked off with Diao Chan. This place is perilous, it''s best not to linger! By the time he stepped out, the outside was already moonlit, with scattered stars. As he walked back to the campus along the empty road, Zhu Haomiao habitually glanced at the direction he longed for and suddenly realized that there was a light where it should have been dark. Stunned for a few seconds, the boy reacted, a strong joy blossoming in his eyes, and he hurriedly rushed over. Pushing open the door to the school clinic, a familiar graceful silhouette turned around slowly, smiling at the fluttery boy. "Teacher Su E!" "Mm, what''s up? Is there somewhere uncomfortable again?" Adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose, Nangong Su''e looked at the boy with a teasing smile. Chapter 214 - 214: Just Walk and Watch But when Zhu Haomiao finally saw the person he was yearning for, the excitement gradually calmed, and all his words transformed into a smile of reunion after a long separation. "I''m not uncomfortable, it''s just been a long time since we last met, I missed you." Upon hearing this, a fleeting look of bewilderment crossed Nangong Su''e''s eyes, and it took a while for her to come back to herself, letting out a meaningful sigh. "Yes, it has been a long time." Strangely, Zhu Haomiao sensed a touch of nostalgia and melancholy in Nangong Su''e''s words, as if they hadn''t been apart for just a few months but for centuries! Recalling the time distortion in the Illusion Realm, Zhu Haomiao vaguely speculated that the Heavenly Position Nangong Su''e was in might be even higher than he had anticipated! "By the way, I watched your latest competition, you won three against one, very impressive." Saying that, Nangong Su''e slowly stood up and gently patted Zhu Haomiao''s head. "As a reward, a pat on the head." "?!" The originally blissful smile froze abruptly, and Zhu Haomiao dodged Nangong Su''e''s hand, looking at her in dissatisfaction. "Teacher, I''m not a child anymore!" Are you really rewarding me with that? Can''t we do something adults would appreciate?! I''m healthy, not afraid of a heavy truck roller! "Hehe." Nangong Su''e laughed without saying a word, sitting back in her ergonomic chair, chatting languidly. After inquiring about Zhu Haomiao''s recent changes, Nangong Su''e suddenly noticed a small, snow-white head sticking out of the boy''s pocket, curiously looking around. "Oh? What a cute little fellow, come over." With a gentle beckon, the originally shy Diao Chan immediately leaped onto Nangong Su''e''s body, sprawling cutely, displaying its small belly. Picking up Diao Chan and caressing it gently, Nangong Su''e looked at Zhu Haomiao with interest. "What''s its name?" "Xuxu~ my name is Xuxu~" Before Zhu Haomiao could speak, Diao Chan stood upright, proudly answering. Seeing the surprised expression on Nangong Su''e''s face, Zhu Haomiao wearily held his forehead. In the future, I can''t let Ye Wan Ning teach it wildly anymore! "Its formal name is Diao Chan, like the ''Chan'' in ''greedy worm.'' "Diao Chan, huh?" Apparently accustomed to seeing magical beasts that can talk, Nangong Su''e just pressed her lips together, suppressing a laugh, gently stroking the cute creature in her arms. "It''s the first time we''ve met, and I don''t have much to give you... Well!" Suddenly thinking of something, Nangong Su''e casually grabbed the air, magically producing an elixir the size of a dragon''s eye, emitting a seven-colored divine light. "I''ll give you this." "Squawk?!" Diao Chan''s eyes widened in disbelief, timidly accepting the elixir, looking uneasily at Zhu Haomiao. Seeing its "pathetic, weak, helpless but wanting" expression, the boy sighed helplessly. "Since it''s a gift from Teacher, just take it." "Squawk!" Upon hearing this, Diao Chan excitedly stuffed the elixir into its mouth, and with a gulp, swallowed it down. "Make sure to take good care of her in the future~" Hearing the implicit meaning in Nangong Su''e''s words, Zhu Haomiao nodded in a daze. "Oh." ........ After a long while, watching Diao Chan hop away alongside the boy, Nangong Su''e''s doting smile gradually faded, her gaze becoming distant and far-reaching. An emaciated one-armed old man suddenly appeared at the door of the school infirmary, also looking in the direction Zhu Haomiao left. "Principal, is it really okay to let him grow unchecked?" As if asking Nangong Su''e, or perhaps himself, Zhu Huacang didn''t wait for an answer, continuing to murmur softly. "He is a monster beyond common sense!" "Eight Forces Combined, First Layer Heaven opening the Yanhuang Armory, unrestricted use of the National Guardian Divine Artifact..." "In any Heavenly Position, he is the top predator. When he ascends to the nine-layered heaven, nothing in this world will be able to restrain him!" "He is more frightening than I imagined!" On hearing this, Nangong Su''e squinted her eyes, calmly staring into the void, her distant gaze seeming to stretch across time and see the future. After a long while, she tiredly withdrew her gaze, chuckling and shaking her head. "Risk and opportunity are always proportional. If we don''t guide him, someone else will." "At least so far, his actions suggest he''s adhering to his limits and hasn''t gone astray, right?" Raising her eyes again, looking in the direction Zhu Haomiao disappeared, Nangong Su''e murmured dreamily. "There is still a long time ahead, let''s just see how it goes..." ....... Beep beep beep~ The next morning, the phone ringing woke Zhu Haomiao from his sleep. In a daze, he picked it up and saw Ye Wan Ning''s call. "Hi~ Senior Sister~" The lazy, magnetic voice made Ye Wan Ning on the other end pause for a second, a tingle running through her body, but she quickly reacted, annoyed and embarrassed. "It''s already three in the afternoon and you''re still sleeping? Are you a pig?" "..." Glancing at the already westward leaning sun out the window, Zhu Haomiao realized he had overslept. "Cangcang has been fasting for several hours already, only a breath away now. Come save him!" "Ye Wan Ning, you''re such a... uwa uwa uwa~" Hearing Li Cang''s grumbling silenced on the other end of the line, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but chuckle bitterly. "Okay, okay, I''ll be there soon." Actually, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang always ate just a little bit, but they would buy dozens of times the materials, benefiting an unnamed someone. They said it was making food for the two of them, but actually, it was Zhu Haomiao who benefited! Lifting the blanket, Zhu Haomiao was about to wash up when his whole body convulsed with shock, freezing in place. His gaze stiffened downward to see a delicate little girl snuggled in his arms, hands and feet curled up, sleeping soundly. "Mmmn~" Seemingly woken by the glaring light when the blanket was lifted, the little girl hummed a bit, rubbing her face with small fists, reluctantly opening her eyes. A pair of familiar, bright black eyes blinked twice, and the little girl let out a cheer, climbing over to Zhu Haomiao''s face, starting to lick him with her tongue. "Slurp slurp..." The familiar feeling, familiar scent, familiar actions, Zhu Haomiao gradually returned to his senses from the shock, pulling the little girl away, staring at her unblinkingly. "Diao Chan?!!!" "Squawk?" The little girl tilted her head, looking at the boy with cute, puzzled eyes, not understanding his surprise. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Oh no!! My chubby, arm-sized marten is gone! A random thought flashed in Zhu Haomiao''s mind as he suddenly recalled the seven-colored elixir Su''e Teacher gave last night and her meaningful instructions. "You must take good care of her in the future." Looking at the chubby little girl in front of him, delicate and crafted like porcelain, Zhu Haomiao felt his blood pressure surging wave after wave. Chapter 215 - 215, Transformation I have pets to relieve stress, not add to it!! Su E, give me back my big Diao!! Unaware of the storm in his master''s heart, Diao Chan tilted his head from side to side, his large crystal eyes blinking twice, habitually wanting to leap off the bed. As a result, seemingly not accustomed to using hands and feet with his new limbs, the little girl awkwardly squirmed twice, stepped into thin air, and landed face first on the ground. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Ow~" Thud~ "Wuwuwuwu..." A small head emerged from the side of the bed, holding her reddened forehead, pitifully staring at Zhu Haomiao. "..." Out of habit, he patted her head for comfort. The little girl quickly forgot the pain, lying on the edge of the bed, showing a silly crescent smile. As he looked at her familiar crescent-eyed smile, the awkward feeling in Zhu Haomiao''s heart gradually dissipated, and he helplessly accepted reality. It was his pet, after all. How could he possibly abandon her? Seemingly sensing her owner''s emotions, Diao Chan clumsily climbed onto the bed, rubbing her pink cheeks affectionately against the boy''s neck. "Shuishui~ Shuishui~" "I''ll say it again, it''s pronounced miao!" Disdainfully pushing the little girl away, Zhu Haomiao examined her bare pink body, frowning with a headache. First of all... Where am I going to buy clothes for her?! Is there a children''s clothing store nearby? As his thoughts swirled, Zhu Haomiao suddenly realized something, looking at the little girl in his arms with a hint of hope. "Diao Chan, can you change back?" "Change back to fat?" Diao Chan tilted her little head, blinking innocently. "Uh... I mean back to the mouse form." "Xuxu?" "Just like before - small, pocket-sized!" Diao Chan tilted her head to the other side, watching Zhu Haomiao gesturing with his hands foolishly, finally understanding after a long while, nodding excitedly. "Xuxu, transform! Awoo~" Letting out a childlike strange cry, a gentle and radiant light emerged on Diao Chan''s body, her form slowly writhing and compressing, quickly turning into a familiar, palm-sized cute creature. "Ji~" Watching the little creature bouncing around in his arms, Zhu Haomiao finally breathed a long sigh of relief. It''s good that she can change back... Immediately, Zhu Haomiao swiftly got up to wash up and, taking Diao Chan, headed straight for the school infirmary. Oh shit! Give me a refund!! However, the cool and serene infirmary door was tightly closed, the dark room inside empty. Unwilling, he peeked around outside the door for a long time, gritting his teeth in frustration before leaving in anger. You can outrun the monk, but not the temple, I''ve got this account noted down, Little Zhuzhu! Harboring a feeling of injustice, the teenager went to the villa area not far from the school, hearing Ye Wan Ning''s strong "wail" before even entering the door. "Shui still isn''t here, I''m going to starve to death, wuwuwu..." "There''s bread in the fridge." "No! I''m saving my stomach for Shui''s cooking!" "Then don''t shout." "But I''m really hungry... Cangcang, let me take a bite~" "Stop acting crazy!" "Just one bite! Just one bite! Slurp, hehe~" "Let go! I''m no chew toy!" Pushing the door open, the picture that greeted him was Ye Wan Ning, ignoring Li Cang''s disdainful struggle, clinging to his long, pale leg, pretending to gnaw at it. "..." Seeing Zhu Haomiao come in, Ye Wan Ning''s movements instantly froze, blinking her charming peach blossom eyes, putting down the jade foot in her hand, and solemnly explaining with a straight face. "Don''t get the wrong idea, Cangcang is about to starve, I was giving him a foot massage." Starving to death, foot massage, how did you link these two words together? "..." "Senior sister, you don''t actually need to explain." Seeing Zhu Haomiao''s indescribable expression, Ye Wan Ning realized her words were thoughtless, immediately feeling embarrassed and angry, standing up with her neck stiffened, quickly closing the distance. "Who explained? Who explained?!" Watching her boldly push forward with her impressive chest, Zhu Haomiao sheepishly retreated two steps. "Okay, okay, you didn''t explain, I''ll go cook." "No way! I clearly see you''re not taking me seriously! Prepare to die! Errr..." But Ye Wan Ning didn''t care about his change of topic, letting out a vicious dog growl and grabbing his arm to gnaw it vigorously. A few minutes later, Zhu Haomiao rolled up his sleeves and washed ingredients at the sink, looking at the numerous shallow bite marks on his hand, looking at Li Cang, who was helping beside him, with unspoken words. "Has she... always been like this?" Acting like a cold goddess in front of strangers, but turning into a mad dog among friends, huh? I was too naive before, failing to see her true nature... Li Cang, slicing vegetables with an expressionless face, paused his movements, sighing faintly. "Yes, she bites when happy, bites when unhappy, bites when excited, and bites when depressed..." "Especially those she likes..." About to continue, Li Cang glanced at Zhu Haomiao, a hint of schadenfreude in his cool pupils, changing his tone. "But before, it was only me suffering. Now she seems to prefer biting you." "..." Am I some kind of chew toy? Does she bite me for fun whenever she''s bored?! No way! I have to get her to pay me more! Outraged, Zhu Haomiao made a firm resolve internally. This matter needs at least thirty thousand... no, fifty thousand to settle! "Shui! Shui!" As he pondered ways to make money, a gentle whisper sounded nearby, making Zhu Haomiao shiver all over, guiltily turning his head. "What''s up?" "Diao Chan... I feel something''s weird, overnight its aura became very pure, with no impurities at all." Holding the curled up cute creature up before the boy, Ye Wan Ning furrowed her brows in confusion. "I''m sure there''s been some serious change inside it..." "Huh?" Heart skipping a beat, Zhu Haomiao hesitated for a moment, deciding to be honest. Leaving out Su E''s part, he only mentioned Diao Chan''s accidental awakening of bloodline power, gaining the ability to take human form overnight. "What? Transforming in reality?!!" Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in the other''s eyes. "Uh, isn''t transformation a basic skill of the Demon Race?" Seeing the two so astonished, Zhu Haomiao was somewhat baffled. Though strange, it shouldn''t astonish you two seasoned transcendents, right? More concerned with where to buy clothes for Diao Chan than the transformation... Seeing he didn''t grasp the significance of the situation, Ye Wan Ning pondered briefly before patiently explaining. "First, transformation and shape-shifting are different. Most of the Demon Race use the Transformation Technique, essentially still in beast form, showing their true form when dead." "Whereas once transformed, it signifies shedding the beast flesh, evolving to a higher life tier." "At this point, they possess the Creation of Heaven and Earth of the Human Race, along with the Bloodline Divine Skills of the Demon Race, becoming a super-enhanced version of God''s Destiny!" Chapter 216 - 216: Godfather "This transformation process, even in the Illusion Realm where the Laws are relaxed, often requires hundreds or thousands of years of arduous cultivation. It''s even more difficult in reality!" "But this dead rat did it in just one night..." Watching the silly and adorable creature in her hand, Ye Wan Ning''s eyebrows knitted together, unable to make sense of it. "Xuxu is not a washing rat!" However, the newly intelligent Diao Chan understood the keyword, disgruntledly squirming while grumbling at Ye Wan Ning. "Alright, alright, you''re a live rat." Ye Wan Ning consoled it perfunctorily, examining it up and down, and tentatively asked. "Can you perform a transformation? Like turning into a human." "Squeak!" Diao Chan wriggled out of Ye Wan Ning''s grasp, leapt to the ground, and proudly puffed out its little chest. "Xuxu, transform!" A soft luminescence suddenly emerged, and the tiny shell expanded and squirmed at a visible speed, quickly transforming into a little girl carved from jade. Looking at this ceramic doll with its hands on its hips, naked, Zhu Haomiao rubbed his temples in frustration, glancing at the two people who were dumbstruck. "Senior Sister, could I trouble you with something?" "Huh?" It took a full two seconds for Ye Wan Ning to react. She hurriedly took off her coat to wrap the proud little girl. Then, she somewhat dazedly looked at Zhu Haomiao. "What is it?" "Could you help her buy some children''s clothes? I''m really not familiar with that." Upon hearing this, Ye Wan Ning snapped back to reality, nodded vigorously, her eyes brimming with excitement. "No problem, you can count on me!" With that, she picked up the little girl and ran off like a child trafficker. As Ye Wan Ning disappeared in a flash outside the door, Zhu Haomiao looked bewildered at Li Cang beside him. "Why is she so excited?" Li Cang retracted his envious gaze and said calmly. "Oil has liked cute things since she was little. Having a real-life doll to play dress-up is what she''s always dreamed of." "Huh? What''s so fun about that?" Zhu Haomiao couldn''t understand. The thoughts of buying various clothes, shoes, and socks, and painstakingly picking out outfits gave him a headache. Hearing these words, Li Cang gave him a sidelong glance. "You don''t understand a girl''s mind." You understand?! Wait a minute, this scheming "guy friend" might actually understand... Slightly frowning, Zhu Haomiao muttered silently in his heart, refocusing on his cooking. Finally, when he finished preparing a table full of delicious dishes, Ye Wan Ning entered with large and small bags. "We''re back~" Seeing her fully satisfied expression and the numerous bags hanging around her, Zhu Haomiao inexplicably felt a sense of foreboding. Those packages looked expensive... "Shuishui, Shuishui~" Wearing a snow-white dress, like a little princess, Diao Chan excitedly rushed over and hugged Zhu Haomiao''s leg, happily nuzzling. Feeling the pet''s joyful emotion, Zhu Haomiao pulled a grin and awkwardly patted her head. Then, he looked at Ye Wan Ning with a serious expression and asked gravely, "Senior Sister, how much did it cost?" "Huh? Not much, children''s clothes are very cheap." Ye Wan Ning nonchalantly waved her hand, immediately making Zhu Haomiao sigh in relief. Right, how expensive can a few children''s clothes be? "Then I''ll transfer the money to you right now." "No need, let''s consider it a gift from me to Diao Chan." Ye Wan Ning generously waved her hand, oozing grandeur. "How could I?" I, Zhu Haomiao, may be poor, but I have my dignity! How could I take advantage of others?! After some tugging back and forth, Ye Wan Ning couldn''t resist, reluctantly saying. "Alright then, it was over 150,000, you can just give me 150,000." Bang! It was like a bolt of thunder exploding in his brain, and Zhu Haomiao''s fingers on the transfer button froze completely, staring blankly at Ye Wan Ning. "For how much?" "150,000." "RMB?" "Uh...what else?" "..." What the hell kind of children''s clothes cost 150,000 RMB? You might as well rob someone!! The furious roar churned in his throat. Thinking about the balance in his bank account, Zhu Haomiao''s rigid fingers just couldn''t press the button. There''s not even 50,000 in my account... This dignity... I might as well give it up! Seeing the boy''s awkwardness, Ye Wan Ning instantly understood, her peach blossom eyes curling into crescent moons, sporting a mischievous bad smile. "No money? Just call me ''Godfather'' once, and I''ll give you however much you want!" "?!!" Zhu Haomiao''s body jolted, incredulously staring at Ye Wan Ning. I thought of you as a friend, and you want to be Dong Zhuo? No, you want to be my dad?! In his past life, he had a few roommates who shared ''father-son'' bonds, as long as they were willing to help with food deliveries, they could earn the honor of being godfathers. But once they got their benefits, the next second would be: "How can a great man linger beneath others? Evil thief! Die!" But if he took Ye Wan Ning''s money, Zhu Haomiao felt he''d be under her heel for life. Um... wait, maybe it''s not unacceptable... Glancing at Ye Wan Ning''s slightly mischievous and charming face, as well as her curvaceous devilish figure, Zhu Haomiao''s heart inexplicably stirred. I, Little Zhuzhu, have drifted through life, only regretting not meeting a wise ruler. If the lady doesn''t mind... [Book of Black]: "Indulge [Lust], [Dao Heart] -1" Damn!! "Hurry and say it, just call me ''Godfather'' once and I guarantee you''ll enjoy a life of wealth and prosperity, plus I''ll give you my Diao Chan..." Raising the bewildered little girl to the boy''s face, Ye Wan Ning''s expression was full of mischievous delight. Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao''s face turned serious, and he said indignantly. "What do you mean your Diao Chan? It''s clearly my Diao Chan!" "But the ownership certificate says my name!" "..." Seeing their increasingly nonsensical conversation, Li Cang on the side couldn''t bear it any longer and delivered a karate chop to the top of Ye Wan Ning''s skull. Thunk~ "Ow!!" "Stop fooling around, enough is enough." sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Wuwuwuwu... I was just joking..." Ye Wan Ning crouched down holding her head after being hit, tears welling up in her eyes, pouting in grievance. Clearly, Li Cang used True Strength this time, as the reprimanded Ye Wan Ning resembled a beaten puppy, pitifully holding her head and whimpering. Ignoring Ye Wan Ning''s tearful, pitiful look, Li Cang sat down at the dining table, inviting everyone to eat. "Let''s eat, the food''s getting cold." "Ah? Oh¡­" Feeling both regret and relief, Zhu Haomiao pulled himself together, glancing at Ye Wan Ning reluctantly climbing onto her chair. Godfather... pfft! Senior Sister, I, Little Zhuzhu, stand firm on my principles, always repay kindness, and always pay my debts! I''ll remember this 150,000. When I make it big, I''ll appoint you as National General! Clearing his thoughts, Zhu Haomiao''s slight guilt and unease dissipated, looking at the bumbling little girl climbing into her chair. Chapter 217 - 217: Summoning This time, the transformed Diao Chan finally had her own seat and tableware, but the idiot was holding the chopsticks in a little fist, looking cluelessly at Zhu Haomiao. "Chirp~" "..." Realizing that this guy had no idea how to use chopsticks, Zhu Haomiao pinched his forehead in frustration. Taking care of a pet only requires feeding it water and food on time, but taking care of a little girl means considering so many things!! "Wait, don''t use your hands!" Seeing Diao Chan impatiently starting to use her hands, Zhu Haomiao gently tapped her fair hand with a chopstick. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Chirp~" "Use the spoon first. I''ll teach you how to use chopsticks later." He handed her a spoon, watching her clumsily scoop food and eat, her face covered in grease. Zhu Haomiao rubbed his forehead in slight pain. "Diao Chan, is it good?" Li Cang and another person beside him didn''t mind at all, lovingly wiping her face and feeding her. "Yummy! Love!" "Then eat more." "Eat lots!" ... With Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang helping to take care, Zhu Haomiao was happy to be idle, wholeheartedly enjoying his food. But halfway through the meal, he suddenly trembled all over, looking at his chest in surprise. "Shui, what''s wrong?" Ye Wan Ning, noticing his odd expression, gave him a curious glance. "The [Dragon Emblem]... it''s moving!" He opened his jacket, revealing the slightly trembling [Dragon Emblem]. Zhu Haomiao blinked in confusion. "I think I hear some kind of call." Seeing this, Li Cang quickly explained. "There''s a supernatural disaster nearby. The state is summoning Transcendents of corresponding Heavenly Positions and energy levels, you can respond to the call!" "Huh? How do I respond?" "Use spiritual power." Just as Zhu Haomiao was about to use his spiritual power to delve into the [Dragon Emblem], the badge on his chest stopped vibrating. "Uh... it stopped, seems like it has ceased." Seeing the boy''s clueless and foolish expression, Ye Wan Ning sighed helplessly. "This means there''s already enough dominance response to the call, unless the situation escalates, the state won''t deploy further." "Oh." Having never encountered such a matter before, Zhu Haomiao was rather curious, looking toward Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang. "Senior Sister, I''ve received the call, why didn''t you two receive one?" Hearing his outrageous question, Li Cang was bemused, pursing his lips. "Most supernatural disasters are couplings of the Illusion Realm and reality; the Heavenly Position is downward compatible, meaning High Sky Rank is compatible with Low Heaven Position." "Conversely, Transcendents of High Sky Rank can''t enter Low Heaven Position abnormal areas because our energy level is too strong, it will be repelled by Plane Law." "So, when a supernatural disaster occurs, the state first confirms the Heavenly Position, then summons Transcendents of the corresponding Heavenly Position and different energy levels, while evacuating Mortals and Low Heaven Position Transcendents within the range as much as possible." "Generally, based on the disaster range, the state ensures some redundancy, but dominance level entities are usually not more than 10, you reacted slowly and didn''t respond before it filled up." Hearing this, Zhu Haomiao was even more curious. "Since it''s downward compatible, are Low Heaven Position Transcendents useless in High Sky Rank abnormal areas? Why evacuate them with Mortals?" Li Cang shook his head: "Not exactly, if it''s only one Heavenly Position apart, the dominance can still be used as a bit of Gold." "But once it exceeds two Heavenly Positions, the gap in [Quality] can''t be compensated by [Quantity]; the massive Heavenly Position suppression will press down dominance level to nearly Mortal level in reality." "So it''s stipulated to evacuate them all as much as possible." Nodding thoughtfully, Zhu Haomiao continued to ask. "What are the benefits of dealing with supernatural disasters? Why is everyone scrambling to respond?" Upon hearing this, Ye Wan Ning explained. "Of course there are benefits, the state will evaluate comprehensively based on your energy level, the danger encountered during actions, contributions made, etc., and finally pay [True Contribution Points]." "True Contribution Points?" Zhu Haomiao raised an eyebrow, recalling the Virtual Points of the [Yanhuang Armory] in the Illusion Realm. "Yes, like the Virtual Points in the Illusion Realm, you can use [Real Points] in the real world''s [Yanhuang Armory] to exchange for various rare items, including the [Storage Type True Object] you desire." "Even [True Objects] are available?!" Zhu Haomiao''s breath hitched, and his heart felt a bit of a twist. Those are treasures you can''t buy even with money! "By the way, can [True Contribution Points] be exchanged for money?" "Of course, the official exchange rate for 1 Real Point is 10,000 RMB, but hardly anyone uses such precious resources to exchange for money." At this, Ye Wan Ning turned serious and looked solemnly at Zhu Haomiao. "Shui, the supernatural disasters in reality are different from the Illusion Realm; it''s a coupling region of True and Illusion, with chaotic laws and bizarre sights. Upon entry, you can only exert part of your Illusion Realm power, more crucially..." Ye Wan Ning''s voice gradually lowered, staring intently into the boy''s dark pupils. "If you die in the abnormal area, you''re truly dead." "Don''t take responding to calls lightly, even if you''re a top expert of the corresponding Heavenly Position, you may not be able to neutralize all dangers." "Countless dominances die in supernatural disasters each year." "If you want to respond, you must be prepared for sacrifice!" Listening to Ye Wan Ning''s serious and stern warning, Zhu Haomiao nodded earnestly. "I understand, Senior Sister." Then, suddenly changing the subject, he asked curiously. "As a First Layer Heaven dominance, how many [Real Points] can I earn dealing with a supernatural disaster?" "It''s basically 100 points at the start. If injured or contributing more, there''s extra ''performance'' rewards, possibly up to two or three hundred points." Two or three hundred points!? Isn''t that two or three million RMB?!!! Rounding up to a billion!!! Zhu Haomiao''s pupils shrank, and he immediately put on a mask of agony, feeling as though his heart was clenched by invisible hands, bringing wave after wave of pain. Damn, I''m losing so much money!!! Seeing his bereft look, Ye Wan Ning knew exactly what he was thinking, rolling her eyes at him. "If you''re truly short on money, I can lend you some. I was joking with you before, don''t recklessly go on adventures. Learn the knowledge related to supernatural disasters before heading in, got it?" Hearing Ye Wan Ning''s stern warning, Zhu Haomiao shrunk his neck. "Oh." In the following days, Zhu Haomiao was distracted, dwelling on losing a billion, often waking up in the middle of the night to slap himself. Soon, Ye Wan Ning and Li Cang''s holiday ended, and they returned to the Illusion Realm to "work". Zhu Haomiao also returned to the Illusion Realm shortly after they left. ......... Chapter 218 - 218: Jump Impulse In the deep and cold underground palace, a pair of unfathomably dark pupils slowly opened. As the will returned, the long-dormant energy began to circulate anew, rippling through the underground space in visibly tangible waves. Sigh~ Exhaling a breath of turbid air, Zhu Haomiao sat up, looking around in a daze, before connecting with his previous memories after a few seconds. Before falling into a deep sleep, it seemed he had ordered Wilson to take him back to the safe house in Shanghai... Understanding his current situation, Zhu Haomiao felt at ease and began to check the gains from a long rest. [Armor Breaking Power]: LV.3¡úLV.6 (Perfect¡¤Triumph) [Heavenly Gang Power]: LV.3¡úLV.6 (Perfect¡¤Xianzhen) [Penetration Force]: LV.3¡úLV.6 (Perfect¡¤Thunderbolt) [God]+21 [Qi]+19 [Dexterity]+18 [Essence]+20 Virtual memories spanning hundreds of years surged into his mind like a tidal wave, overwhelming even Zhu Haomiao''s spiritual power briefly, leaving him staring blankly in a temporary standstill. After a long while, Zhu Haomiao finally organized and absorbed these memories, rubbing his temples tiredly. [Triumph], [Xianzhen], [Thunderbolt]... After carefully pondering them, Zhu Haomiao temporarily set them aside and looked towards his chest, which was throbbing with unbearable pain. A hideous and ugly scar crossed his chest and abdomen, the proliferated granulation tissue imperceptibly wriggling and trembling, as residual divine sword intent inside it continuously tore and healed the flesh. High-level divinity is really like a stubborn plaster, still not completely worn away after so long! Grinding his teeth, a trace of anger surged in Zhu Haomiao''s heart, but thinking about how he had devoured all three of the siblings, he could only sigh helplessly. Alas... even killing a chicken requires getting pecked a few times; paying a small price for something delicious... it makes sense... Smacking his lips, Zhu Haomiao looked at the Six-dimensional Attributes in the [Book of Black], and his tightly knitted brows began to relax. With the aid of the Triple Cocoon, his digestion and absorption speed had further increased, resulting in an average increase of 17 points in his Six-dimensional Attributes over more than a month''s rest! Although it was just a fraction compared to the massive accumulated attributes, it already gave Zhu Haomiao a glimmer of victory. At least his digestion speed surpassed his accumulation speed. One day, he would become a true Complete Body! Encouraging himself internally, Zhu Haomiao''s thoughts shifted as he turned his attention to the various Original Sins in the [Book of Black]. Before his last deep sleep, he hadn''t had the chance to research their new authority... Blinking his eyes, Zhu Haomiao calmed his mind, immersing his Divine Sense into the [Book of Black], carefully sensing the profound laws within. [Anger]... [Lust]... [Pride]... [greed]... After a while, Zhu Haomiao''s eyes suddenly widened in disbelief, gasping sharply. The High Rank authority of [greed] could actually compress and distort time, to [advance] the [results] of the future. Subconsciously grasping the air with his hand, a handful of [greed coin] appeared magically in Zhu Haomiao''s hand, but just as he was about to invest them in himself, his excited movement suddenly paused. Rumble rumble~~ The deafening sound of stomach growling was like thunder, and inwardly, Zhu Haomiao understood that in the absence of a material foundation, [advance] might fail. Rubbing his hunger-pained belly, the nutrients stored before his sleep had already been fully digested. With a thought, Zhu Haomiao looked at the last Basic Force he had yet to perfect. As his Spiritual Power interfered with reality, tendrils of gray-white filaments extended from the void, wrapping and entangling the youth like living creatures. Sealing dozens of [greed coin] along with Extraordinary Seed deep within his spirit and body, Zhu Haomiao adjusted to the sudden weakness of his physique, tucked Diao Chan, who was darting around the room, into his embrace, and pushed the door open. "Wilson..." A soft whisper ignored the barriers of time and space, directly reaching the soul of the believer. Wilson, who was processing documents, suddenly raised his head, gazing fervently and devotedly into the void. "Yes, my lord." "I''m hungry." "A grand feast has been prepared for you!" ...... Dozens of minutes later, Zhu Haomiao arrived at the Shanghai port, watching with interest as the bustling crowds loaded carts of fresh ingredients onto the familiar cruise ship, slowing his pace. Under the cover of the Triple Cocoon, the supernatural phenomenon of [Psychology Invisibility] had further intensified. S~ea??h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Now, even when Zhu Haomiao deliberately touched the surrounding crowd, they would only look around blankly, unable to ''perceive'' him at all! Despite being in the noisy and lively dock, the youth inexplicably felt as if he stood in a higher dimension, gazing down at the multitudes from a lofty, detached perspective, feeling a trace of solitude isolated from the world. In a daze, Zhu Haomiao vaguely realized that this was not merely a psychological change; it also involved an urge for Energy Level Transition within himself! Lowering his gaze for a moment, the youth then lifted his head to watch the sky, with a hint of understanding. He had already touched the natural boundary for Ascension to the First Layer Heaven. To continue staying and improving, he would have to withstand the increasingly strong repulsion of the Heavenly Dao. Blinking, Zhu Haomiao glanced at his immensely vast accumulated attributes, his brow slowly knotting. If all of this were digested, wouldn''t he ascend in place instantly? But not digesting it was not an option; how could he just watch such immense power lie dormant within him? After all, the stronger the power during ascension, the greater the benefits conferred to reality! Gritting his teeth fiercely, Zhu Haomiao decided to manifest these powers instead of being hampered by temporary difficulties! Having made up his mind, the youth boarded the cruise ship, as if entering a place with no one else, heading straight to the restaurant. Even after he took the main seat, the attendants around were still eagerly looking towards the door, and Zhu Haomiao found himself a bit troubled, stroking his chin. The Psychology Invisibility ability of the Triple Cocoon was too strong, directly severing external recognition of his existence. It''s a good ability when not wanting to be disturbed, but in daily life, it''s rather foolish... Couldn''t there be a way to control it flexibly, just blocking the aura without severing recognition? Narrowing his eyes, Zhu Haomiao studied it closely and soon smiled. [Sloth] does have this ability; it''s just that he had never noticed it before! With a shift of his mind, the Illusion cocoon shell enveloping his entire body sank beneath his skin, exposing the appearance of the youth''s existence to the outside world. The next second, Wilson, who had been quietly standing by his side, shuddered, his eyes flashing with fierce and violent black light, suddenly looking at the seat beside him. But upon seeing the shadow of the youth and sensing the soul aura linked by bloodline, the vast evil energy that was ready to erupt within Wilson instantly dissipated. He respectfully and reverently placed his hand on his chest, bowing. "My lord, your most devout believer welcomes your arrival." "Hmm." Looking at the dazzling array of shining delicacies on the luxurious dining table, Zhu Haomiao nodded perfunctorily, suppressing the dark green divine light deep within his pupils, and leisurely picked up the chopsticks. Chapter 219 - 219: This High-Level Game Until now, the attendants around finally noticed that their long-awaited target had appeared on the previously empty seat, and they promptly performed a respectful bow in unison. Without lifting his head, Zhu Haomiao waved his hand, suppressing his hunger and thirst as he finely chewed the succulent piece of meat in his mouth. A massive, terrifying snakehead slowly emerged from behind him, greedily gazing down at the delicious dishes scattered throughout the room. Then a second, a third, a fourth... As many as eight gigantic snakes, as thick as barrels, extended like wings from the young man''s back, writhing and devouring the delicious blood food in the room with wide gulps. Even though they had experienced this before, the attendants couldn''t help but feel a chill of fear at the sight of those enormous snakes resembling ancient demonic creatures, and they lowered their heads, not daring to look directly. But when they placed the new dishes on the table and the giant snakes slithered past them or above their heads at close range, the electric-like fear still surged from their tailbones straight to the top of their skulls, making their scalps tingle. Before long, Zhu Haomiao put down his chopsticks, patted his small belly, and felt that the most basic condition had been met. He casually grabbed a handful of [greed coins] from the void. The boy released his fingers, and the dazzling golden stream of light cascaded down like a waterfall, instantly creating visible energy ripples that disappeared into thin air. Utilizing the authority of [greed], time was folded and compressed. In just a brief moment, Zhu Haomiao had advanced to the [fruit] of the future. [Body] +1 His eyes brightened, and a flash of understanding blossomed in the boy''s heart. No need to digest over time any longer. As long as the [greed coins] and material nutrition were sufficient, he could fully actualize all the accumulated attributes in a short time! But immediately after, he frowned again. Just a dozen [greed coins] merely actualized a single attribute. The cost efficiency seemed a bit low... Moreover, it took nearly an hour of eating just to consume enough nutrition for 1 attribute point. If he wanted to actualize all the accumulated attributes averaging over 100 points, how long would that take? After a brief calculation, Zhu Haomiao concluded that he would need to eat non-stop for nearly a month! "......" Damn it, doesn''t the First Layer Heaven have any high-energy nutritious substances? A meal that could last a year! But after thinking for a long time, the only answer that emerged in Zhu Haomiao''s mind was uranium-235! "......" Humans cannot, at least should not, eat nuclear fuel... S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Patted his small belly, the previously settled stomach pouch once again turned insatiably hungry, and Zhu Haomiao gritted his teeth in sorrow and anger. The kickbacks given by the Lord shouldn''t be wasted in vain! Keeping so many [greed coins] wouldn''t make them reproduce anyway! Just eat slowly! Who can out-eat me?! Taking a slow and deep breath, Zhu Haomiao mentally prepared himself and gave a faint command to Wilson beside him. "This is a high-end game." "Go and gather the Imperial Chef teams from Shanghai, let them take turns presenting dishes." "I might have to eat for a month." Wilson froze for half a second, quickly reacted, and respectfully placed a hand on his chest. "Your will." ................... "Old Wang, how much for this meat?" "120 patterns per pound." "What? Why so expensive?!" "You think it''s expensive, I think it''s expensive too!" "But your meat isn''t fresh either." "It''s precisely because it''s not fresh that it''s sold for 120 patterns, if fresh it wouldn''t be this price!" In the butcher shop, the owner crossed his legs, showing an expression of take it or leave it. "Why has the meat price increased so much this month? It''s almost unaffordable." The customers grumbled and complained while picking through the not-so-fresh meat. At that moment, a carriage stopped in front of the butcher shop, and an agile middle-aged man jumped down. "Old Wang! Where''s today''s goods?!" The previously indifferent butcher shop owner suddenly stood up with a shiver, smiling obsequiously as if he saw a god of wealth. "Oh, Mr. Liu! Today''s goods are ready, freshly slaughtered this morning, very fresh!" "Hmm, if they''re not fresh, I''ll flay you alive!" "What you''re saying is, if it''s not fresh, I''d hug a stone and jump into the Huangpu River myself!" While swearing and making vows, the owner called his staff to carry out half-sized fat pigs from the back and respectfully load them onto the carriage. The middle-aged man carefully inspected them and confirmed the meat was fresh and of good quality, nodding in satisfaction. But immediately, upon seeing the carriage only half-filled, he frowned. "Only four pigs?" Upon hearing this, the owner immediately cried and put on a pitiful act. "Mr. Liu, you know how ridiculously meat prices have risen lately, and these four pigs were obtained after visiting many places, there really are no more!" Hearing this, the middle-aged man frowned deeply, unhappily glancing at the goods on the butcher shop''s counter, then disdainfully shifting his gaze away. "Alright, continue sourcing more goods, notify me if there''s any news." "Got it!" Watching the carriage disappear at the end of the street, the butcher shop owner finally breathed a long sigh of relief. At the same time, countless similar scenes unfolded across Shanghai, with carriages like busy bees rushing fresh ingredients to the dock''s cruise ships, where experienced chefs turned them into delightful, glowing cuisines. Unaware that he had driven up the entire city''s meat prices, Zhu Haomiao continued to eat leisurely and "elegantly" in the cruise dining room, the eight monstrous and sinister giant snakes behind him swaying and writhing, as if wicked entities surrounding the Demon God. After a month-long operation, the attendants around him had hearts as cold as stone, mechanically and numbly placing dish after dish on the table. Even Diao Chan, who was usually insatiable, was finally tired, running back and forth aimlessly on the eight giant snakes, starting a frantic parkour. Unaware of how much time had passed, Zhu Haomiao, patiently chewing, suddenly shuddered all over as a profound light burst from the depths of his pupils. [Sealing Demon Power]: LV.3¡úLV.6 (Perfect¡¤Soul Devouring) [God] +13 [Qi] +7 [Essence] +6 With a triple cocoon and continuous transformation, unknowingly, the last gate of the Basic Force had been broken through. But as the pupa shell shattered, Zhu Haomiao''s breath abruptly halted, and his body began to dissolve slowly and irresistibly, becoming transparent at a visible speed. The surrounding space and time sent out ripples like water waves, with his ethereal form appearing as if it would disperse with the wind. Zhu Haomiao stiffly raised his head, his gaze piercing through the material constraints to see a mysterious rift quietly unfolding at the Dome Peak. Boom! Heaven and earth changed color, the sun and moon lost their light, and within a thousand-mile radius, countless violent energies converged toward the center, forming a terrifying cloud of doom over a hundred kilometers in diameter. The enormous vortex cloud spiraled tighter, brewing bluish-white thunderbolts in its core region. In just a few minutes, the dark clouds blotted out the sun, transforming the entire Shanghai from daylight to darkness, with deafening thunders and blinding light surrounding the world as if the apocalypse was about to arrive. Chapter 220 - 220: Forced Detention At the center of all the anomalies, Zhu Haomiao trembled uncontrollably, his flesh flickering between reality and illusion, as his body defied gravity and slowly and lightly floated upward. Using all his strength to resist the pressure of ascension, grey-white divine light swirled in the depths of Zhu Haomiao''s pupils, and he squeezed two words through his clenched teeth. "Sloth!" Invisible grey-white threads spread from the void, wrapping around the youth bit by bit like living creatures. The cultivation technique seed of the originally abandoned [Plum Blossom Step] and the vast attributes were gathered into the depths of the spirit and body within the [Book of Black]. As layers of pupa shells sealed him, the irresistible repulsive force gradually dissipated, his translucent and ethereal flesh and blood solidified once more, and Zhu Haomiao let out a long breath of turbid air. Exhale~ It was as if the "buoyancy" was expelled from his body, and the young man''s floating body gently descended, his toes lightly touching the ground. Gasping heavily, Zhu Haomiao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and gulped down nervously. So close... If I hadn''t held it just now, I would''ve spiraled into the sky in an instant! To be forced to ascend midway through the competition, the most favorable contender for the championship "voluntarily withdrawing," would cause much laughter among other countries. Zhu Haomiao smacked his cheeks, slowly calming his emotions, and turned to look out the window. The several meters high waves calmed down, the surging sea was slowly regaining its peace, and the overwhelming tribulation clouds, having lost their target, were also dissipating. The terrifying anomaly came quickly and left just as fast; within a dozen minutes, the world returned to blue skies and white clouds. The unsuspecting mortals didn''t even react, thinking it was a sudden thunderstorm, but only the keen Transcendents knew the terrifying crisis that had just enveloped all of Shanghai. On the other side, after Zhu Haomiao stabilized his own sealing, he furrowed his brows in distress. He had a clear premonition that the next time he fully unseals will be the moment of his ascension! A Triple Seal, at most he could only undo two, reverting to... Huh?! As thoughts swirled in his mind, Zhu Haomiao suddenly noticed that even under the Triple Seal, he still had power at the Silver Level! Then, unsealing two levels would mean he could reach Dominance Level?! Instinctively lifting his coat, he looked at the [Dragon Emblem], and Zhu Haomiao was suddenly stunned. On his chest, the originally noble and elegant Purple Gold Badge had changed color, turning into darkness akin to an abyss. At first glance, it looked somewhat like the grey-black Black Iron Badge, but upon closer inspection, the darkness of his [Dragon Emblem] seemed to devour all light, as if wanting to swallow the viewer''s soul along with it. As the observation angle changed, tiny golden specks reflected from the depths of the dark badge, as if an infinite universe was sealed within. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Magnificent, mysterious, sinister, profound, fantastical... After looking for over a dozen seconds, Zhu Haomiao withdrew his gaze, blinking in confusion. He had previously noticed that as his power increased, his [Dragon Emblem] turned slightly black. But he didn''t expect it to turn completely black in the end... What''s going on with me now? As the young man pondered, a wave of itchiness came from his chest, and the last trace of divine sword intent was completely erased, the hideous scar squirmed briefly, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye. [Super recovery] [All Attributes] +5 A powerful force surged forth within him out of nowhere, as Zhu Haomiao took a deep breath and looked at the Illusionary Page in the [Book of Black]. As before, the six-dimensional attributes directly increased by 10 points, of which 5 points were provided by [Super recovery], while the other 5 points came from digesting the accumulated attribute. Taking one last look at the scant remaining accumulated attributes, Zhu Haomiao gritted his teeth and poured all his remaining [Greed Coins] into it. Through research over this period, he discovered that the [Greed Coins] required for the manifestation of [advance] were related to one''s own strength. Initially, only 11 or 12 coins were needed to exchange for 1 point of attribute, but this gradually increased, and it now took over 20 coins for 1 point of attribute. By reverse logic, if he were at the mortal stage, perhaps 1 [Greed Coin] could realize 1 point of accumulated attribute. Having fused all the money he earned from the Three Noble Sons into himself, Zhu Haomiao looked at his fresh and clean attribute panel, as if fulfilling some obsession, he exhaled with satisfaction. [God]: 219 [Dexterity]: 178 [Strength]: 199 [Essence]: 213 [Qi]: 210 [Body]: 188 Admiring his outrageous six-dimensional attributes, understanding this power didn''t belong to the First Layer Heaven, Zhu Haomiao couldn''t help but curl the corner of his mouth. Great, now I just need to wait for the awards... Hold on, I can''t be arrogant! High-level divinity is beyond reason, no matter how enormous my [Quantity] is, it can''t withstand a [Quality] crush. Yet, glancing at his lineup of Perfect Basic Strength, Zhu Haomiao sighed and gazed at the vast world outside the window. I''m not targeting anyone, I''m just saying everyone here is trash! With a humble mindset, Zhu Haomiao left the cruise ship amidst the trembling and kowtowing servants, heading straight to the [Yanhuang Armory]. Sheltered by the Triple Cocoon, the young man concealed all signs of the Transcendent, appearing like an ordinary mortal, weaving through busy streets. Familiar with his route, he entered the [Yanhuang Armory], where people were busy and chaotic, rushing around like headless flies. "Senior Brother Wang, what''s going on?" Finding the exhausted and busy Wang Hua, Zhu Haomiao curiously looked around. "Damn, kid, you disappeared without a sound for months, where''d you go?" Though busy, Wang Hua was happy to greet the youth with a bear hug, then his tone shifted, speaking excitedly. "I''m telling you, we just detected a high-energy reaction we''ve never seen before, but it disappeared before we could pinpoint it, we''re now trying to capture it again!" "Hmm?!" Frowning, Zhu Haomiao blinked, wanting to speak but hesitated. Seeing this familiar expression, Wang Hua''s eyes widened, looking at him in disbelief. "Damn it, couldn''t be you again... um um~" "Shush~" Covering Wang Hua''s mouth, Zhu Haomiao secretly gave him a look, lifting his coat to reveal a deep, dark blackness. At first glance, it seemed the young man had turned into Black Iron, Wang Hua''s eyes widened, but upon closer inspection, he noticed the divine peculiarity, gasping in shock. "Abyss Level..." "Huh? What on earth?" Without answering, Wang Hua silently broke free of the youth''s grip, looked at him with an incredibly complex expression for a long while, and sighed heavily. "Let''s go, Senior Brother Feng needs to know about this." Following Wang Hua to Feng Zhaobai''s office, as soon as the door opened, Wang Hua couldn''t wait to shout. "Senior Brother Feng, two pieces of good news!"