Chapter 120: The City is Full of Pink Fluffy Rabbits
As Qing Ji swung his sword, a pitch-black crack slowly opened before Lu Xianbei, as if an invisible giant hand was forcefully tearing apart a gap in the curtain called reality.
The crack squirmed like some kind of strange cavity, pulsating with a rhythmic breathing, spewing forth a massive quantity of pink fluffy rabbits.
At the boundaries of the crack, black lines of indistinguishable nature intertwined chaotically, twisting and dancing, extending in all directions.
At the ends of those lines, a flicker of light and iridescent colors could be seen, along with countless bubble-like scenes that emerged and vanished.
What astonished Lu Xianbei was that she had seen similar sights before…
When she first met the Proxy Player Sister, the impression was particularly deep since it was her first encounter.
At that time, on the dilapidated rooftop of that crumbling high-rise, the half-materialized figure of the Proxy Player Sister was surrounded by similar chaotic, distorted black lines!
Could it be that a phenomenon of time being severed had also appeared back then?
What on earth is the Proxy Player Sister…?
Lost in thought, Lu Xianbei decided not to let the rising thoughts roam further, as the current situation did not afford her time for deep contemplation.
She pulled her mind back to the present, looking at the dark crack and the disordered lines before her, her brow furrowing.
The Proxy Player Sister said to ask the Ancestor for help and to swing a sword to sever time… It worked now, but what happens afterward?
What should I do to taint the faith of the pink fluffy rabbits?
Stuff something dirty inside? d*mn, I’m not Stinky Sister, I’m not good at things involving malodorous bodily functions!
“Next, just leave it to me…”
A ethereal voice said from behind Lu Xianbei, “Later, you just need to concentrate and recall the calamity that impressed you.”
That voice belonged to Calamity, and when it reached Lu Xianbei’s ears, it transformed into the pink fluffy rabbit.
This voice… is the Proxy Player Sister? She paused for a moment, about to turn around, only to hear that voice sternly warn, “Don’t look back! If you don’t listen, even ten lives won’t be enough!”
At the words, Lu Xianbei shuddered slightly, her neck having turned a little, as if it had turned to stone, freezing there.
In the corner of her eye, she vaguely caught a glimpse of a tall, slender figure, a few strands of pale hair dancing in the wind.
In the wind, an indistinct whisper came—a girl on the verge of d*ath…
That voice, filled with an ominous, chilling air, was clearly not something a living person could produce.
As the voice gradually became clear, the girl seemed to be chanting an ancient and mysterious ballad.
The song resembled the singing of a mythical sea siren, beguiling the mind, exuding a chilling aura yet irresistibly drawing one to pursue the source of the song, even if d*ath awaited at the end.
As the echo of the song resonated, a suffocating, thick smell of bl**d pervaded the air.
The temperature dropped sharply, and the rain that was hovering in mid-air began to freeze into slender ice crystals at a visible speed.
Immediately afterward, a strong chill surged, and in a moment, a scene of a bl**d ocean surged and churned, flashing through her mind.
On the crest of that bl**d tsunami, a silver-haired girl, with her hands clasped together, eyes lowered, sang with piousness; amidst the surging crimson, figures of n*ked, alluring girls appeared and vanished like illusions.
They laughed, cried, and screamed… bathing in crimson with slender arms stretched out, as if to pull everything within sight into that bl**d ocean.
Just as Lu Xianbei’s heart swayed at the sound of the song and the illusions flashed in her mind, a delicate, pale hand with ice-crystal-like glimmers reached out from behind her, gripping her wrist, guiding her, and pushing her hand into that dark crack ahead.
Pain, deep into the bones.
It felt as if she was being nibbled and shredded by countless sharp teeth, in the moment her arm was engulfed by the dark crack, Lu Xianbei felt a pain that pierced to her very marrow.
Accompanied by that excruciating pain, a dizzying noise erupted in her mind.
She heard the calls of thousands of people.
“He knows all secrets because He spies, from the wind, from the water, from every single molecule, no hiding, no deception, no escape…”
That was the call of countless believers of Calamity.
“Lu Xianbei, it’s now!”
Hearing the soft call of the Proxy Player Sister in her ear, Lu Xianbei endured the excruciating pain in her arm and the horrifying noise, silently recalling her impression of the pink fluffy rabbits.
What are the pink fluffy rabbits like? Lu Xianbei thought.
First, it must be pink, with a lot of fluff, like an Angora rabbit—surely a lot of fluff. The ears have to be big and long, able to flap and take off flying when needed. The eyes have to be large and sparkling…
Since this is an urban legend, being a bit exaggerated isn’t too much to ask, right? The body could be as round and chubby as the Catbus from animation, right?
Finally, it always has a mischievous expression, likes to play pranks but means no harm…
Thoughts flashed through Lu Xianbei’s mind, gradually shaping a concrete image—a creature that a bit silly yet with a touch of mischief, like a little demon, forming in her mind.
Then, amidst the calls of thousands, a disharmonious noise suddenly emerged.
“The pink fluffy rabbit knows all, because the pink fluffy rabbit is peeking, from the wind, from the water…”
Following that, as if to refute this “heretical saying,” the calls of the believers to Calamity instantly intensified, shifting from quiet whispers to thunderous shouts.
Countless shouts gathered, coalescing into a noise so dense it felt almost solid, as if it wanted to shatter the listener’s consciousness.
However.
Soon, among those countless shouts, more disharmonious noises appeared.
“The pink fluffy rabbit knows all, because the pink fluffy rabbit is peeking…”
“The pink fluffy rabbit…”
The disharmonious noises grew in number, gradually disputing the original cries, eventually drowning out the original calls.
“Pink… He… fluffy rabbit…”
Finally, after a brief silence, the calls erupted again, leaving only one voice from countless mouths.
“The pink fluffy rabbit knows everything because it opens its watery, big eyes, in the wind, in the water, in every molecule, no concealing, no deceiving, no escaping…”
At that moment, the hand gripping Lu Xianbei’s wrist slowly loosened.
In her peripheral vision, the slender figure with silver-white hair quietly faded away, like smoke blown away by the wind, disappearing without a trace.
As the figure completely vanished, with a breeze grazing past her ear, it felt like an illusion; someone whispered next to Lu Xianbei, “See you, Lu Xianbei, I have to… rest now.”
In the next second, after Qing Ji made that astonishing sword swing, the briefly halted time began to flow again.
That dark crack violently shrank, devouring all the chaotic black lines, leaving just a slender black line that slowly dissipated, like pencil lines erased by an eraser.
The rain that had been suspended in the air, frozen into ice, once again succumbed to gravity’s call, falling into the embrace of the earth, crashing down, “crackling” into a pale powder, scattering everywhere.
Lu Xianbei, “…”
This power description suddenly became cute and playful!
That aura emitted by the Proxy Player Sister just now bore an uncanny resemblance to the core of the witch-related urban legend…
Could it be that to taint the faith of the pink fluffy rabbits so quickly, a charm ability was employed?
Thinking of this, Lu Xianbei suddenly felt as if a door to a new world had been opened.
Ever since she discovered that she had mastered charm abilities, the methods she had used were always simple and crude, almost instinctively affecting the target’s mind.
But now that she witnessed the Proxy Player Sister using a similar ability, she felt she had vaguely touched upon a more advanced way to use charm abilities.
Charm is not just to deceive with beauty, luring the target into a beautiful illusion; further, it can make the target disregard reality, distorting their perception of it.
Just like the difference in color perception between a color-blind person and a regular one.
The Proxy Player Sister took advantage of this trait, spreading Lu Xianbei’s perception of the pink fluffy rabbit among countless believers, thus completing the assimilation.
It’s similar to an illusion, yet also different; this fundamentally erased the target’s original perception of something, akin to the control of the sensory perception by the “Reverse Flower Curse.”
The urban legend remained the same urban legend, but the perception of it among its believers underwent a dramatic change; this is the tainting of faith!
The pollution of faith ultimately affects the urban legend itself, and this phenomenon has been repeating throughout history, akin to how the Gnostics reformulated the Messiah based on the myths of pagans, ultimately giving rise to the New Testament while the Old Testament gradually declined.
Such situations for urban legends are like being infected by a fierce virus, suffering serious ailments; although most of the time, they can recover, they inevitably suffer substantial losses.
Lu Xianbei’s understanding of the pink fluffy rabbits serves as that viral original strain, while the Proxy Player Sister applied a power similar to the core of the witch-related urban legend, enhancing and accelerating the “viral” spreading process.
Such an ability poses a fatal threat to spiritual ability users and urban legends that rely on faith for power.
When believers become burdens, threats, or have caused substantial harm, from the perspective of spiritual ability users and urban legends, it is akin to sparking disputes and causing disasters—genuine man-made calamities!
Lu Xianbei could even imagine the Proxy Player Sister, upon learning of an enemy’s power description, quickly tainting their faith in battle, causing their powers to become affected and weakened.
That would be like the entire team battle being shackled by weakness, unable to output, which would be exceedingly uncomfortable.
However…
I probably can’t reach that level yet, but if paired with the “Reverse Flower Curse”…
Under similar levels of spirit energy fluctuation, I should be able to influence the perception of a single target, but I’ll need more practice before applying it in actual combat, Lu Xianbei thought.
At that moment, Huasang’s voice rang out behind her, interrupting her thoughts.
“What just happened? Where is Senior Qing Ji?”
Lu Xianbei looked at Huasang, shrugged, “He went to chase after his little Yan Zhi.”
After speaking, she turned and took a few steps forward, bending down to pick up the intact Ling Tai Purification that had fallen to the ground.
The next moment, the Ling Tai Purification suddenly melted, as if melting under high temperature, turning into a liquid that floated in Lu Xianbei’s hands, writhing and transforming as if it were a living blob of mercury.
Lu Xianbei, “???”
What’s going on? What is this thing? What about my great big sword?
Just as Lu Xianbei momentarily dazed, the liquefied Ling Tai Purification suddenly erupted with dazzling silver light, its shape shifting in a breath.
A diamond-shaped tower shield, about her height and slightly curved, emerged from her hand, followed by an armored gauntlet that almost merged with the shield, then a heavy helmet with a phoenix wing cover and a triple-ringed neck guard, and a heavy chainmail exterior armor…
By the time it was done, she looked like a person clad in a 25cm steel bucket on her upper body, holding a thick tower shield!
Even Huasang, who was proficient in defense, silently gave Lu Xianbei a thumbs-up, calling her an expert.
“……”
Is this… Oh my gosh?!
It was only then that Lu Xianbei suddenly remembered that Qing Ji had once told her that Ling Tai Purification had sentience and would alter its shape based on the holder’s temperament after gaining its recognition…
Previously, the incomplete Ling Tai Purification remained in the form of a broken sword because the holder was still Qing Ji.
At this moment, with that last fragment residing in the holder finally dissipated, Lu Xianbei became the new holder of Ling Tai Purification, and its form naturally changed.
And her temperament emphasized “fear of d*ath,” thus Ling Tai Purification took on this ridiculous form.
Lu Xianbei, “……”
But still… Doesn’t that mean my “Taihe Gentleman Sword Illustration” was practiced for nothing?
Is there anyone who knows where to learn “shield techniques”?
If you do, please message me, it’s quite urgent!
————
In the domain of Calamity.
Amidst the chaos, thunder rumbled like drums.
With just the booming and shaking, endless chaotic colors shattered in response.
Then, a brilliant blue lightning streak, spanning over a dozen kilometers, traced dazzling trajectories through the chaos, showering countless destructive branches.
Zhang Hainan did not know if the message he sent out could stop the unknown source’s call from awakening the Codename F urban legend; he could only continue to fight, trying to inflict damage on the Codename F urban legend, delaying its awakening.
And so, time passed without him realizing how long it had been until accompanied by a violent spatial shake.
A silver sword energy, with no clear beginning or end, seemed to fly from the void, sweeping across the entire divine realm.
In his line of sight, everything suddenly stopped abruptly.
Feeling as if his consciousness had briefly vanished for a few seconds.
When his consciousness regained clarity, it was like recalling something, and he looked toward the direction from which the silver sword energy shot, suddenly tearing up, mumbling, “That’s Senior Qing Ji’s…”
At that moment, amidst the seemingly endless chaotic colors floating in the divine realm, a hint of pink quietly surfaced, gradually increasing until the chaotic colors now speckled with dense pink dots.
It looked like some serious skin illness had struck.
Zhang Hainan returned to his senses from his melancholic state, noticing the dense pink dots and furrowing his brows.
After the chaotic colors attached the pink dots, the spirit energy fluctuation suddenly dropped significantly; the purpose of relaying his message had been achieved, but the method seemed a little different from what he had imagined…
Immediately after, the eldritch god that had been pushed to a corner of the divine realm by the chaotic colors, sounded the horn of counterattack first.
A huge shadow loomed, a monstrous fish resembling a mountain outlined in the chaos, and from the gills of the gigantic fish extended countless dark green tentacles.
Those thick tentacles, each over a hundred meters in diameter, whipped like long whips against the chaotic colors, thrashing around and emitting screeching sounds akin to a foghorn.
Hearing that shrill sound, Zhang Hainan collected his thoughts, raising his eyes towards the most dazzling chaotic colors surrounded by numerous factories and machinery, squinting them slightly.
Now, it’s time to suppress this calamity… Zhang Hainan thought.
————
Meanwhile, in another location, Amsterdam.
The sky was gloomy, lead-gray clouds piled up, blocking the moonlight, and a fierce wind roared, sounding like a wail.
In the sky, dark clouds roiled like rows of massive waves, like countless wild beasts breaking free from their cages, charging at the ships flying in the sky.
Amidst the tumultuous clouds, a monstrous black ship faced off against four slightly smaller ships.
On the large ship, painted in black and entwined with water plants, its deck covered in thick green viscous flesh, Bruce Ma stood proudly in a dark red, elaborate captain’s outfit, staring at the four ships that had encircled him in a fan shape, his expression dark.
Previously, the Wordless Book had warned him that Urban Legend F would corrupt all “items.” Though he had been careful, even reluctantly executing dozens of members, it was evidently not enough!
When he learned from the Wordless Book about the message Zhang Hainan sent out and reluctantly decided to take action, he was shocked to find the corrosion of Urban Legend F on the Tulip Society was even more severe than he’d imagined.
For the Tulip Society to dominate a region, aside from the deity they believed in, they also relied on the seven ships from different eras.
These ships, with their legendary tales, had sunk into the depths of the ocean over the long years, gradually transforming into special existences between urban legends and spirit energy items; with the right captain endowed with spirit patterns, they could create terrifying combat power.
However, six out of those seven ships had suffered varying degrees of corrosion, with only the “Vengeful Black Swan,” granted by the divine figure and captained by Bruce Ma himself, remaining unscathed.
In truth, it was only when Bruce Ma discovered that six ships had been corrupted that he realized Urban Legend F was not after the wealth of the Tulip Society but most likely after the ships.
Now, being at stake, with two out of the seven ships—the very foundation of the Tulip Society—torn apart by the urban legend manifested from the Wordless Book, Bruce Ma found himself unable to make any decisive choice, and could only continue to circle the four ships, as if on the verge of crushing them with the speed of the “Vengeful Black Swan.”
As an A-Class spiritual ability user, controlling the strongest of the seven ships, “Vengeful Black Swan,” he held significant confidence in sinking those four ships. However, doing so would severely cripple the Tulip Society’s strength, undermining its power.
Moreover, those ships were not just the foundation of the Tulip Society; they were precious partners and relatives of this group of pirate descendants.
“Never thought a person like you would also hesitate? If you can’t make a decision, I think I can help…”
Just as Bruce Ma hesitated, a hoarse, deep voice sounded behind him.
Bruce Ma heard the voice but did not turn around.
He knew the voice belonged to the Wordless Book and that her current image would be enough to give any local a month’s worth of nightmares.
“I’ll think about it, d*mn, let me think it over…” Bruce Ma growled.
The Wordless Book observed his back and, pondering for a moment, shook her head, just as she was about to act to destroy the four ships ahead when an unexpected change occurred.
The ships violently trembled, stirring the air and producing rumbling sounds as if a giant beast were roaring.
Next moment, the white flesh, shimmering with chaotic luminescent colors, attached to those ships suddenly exploded, splattering white pus, forming arcs in the air, bursting out dazzling brilliance, resembling vibrant fireworks.
Then…
Those flowing lights bizarrely transformed into fluffy, chubby pink rabbits as they fell, emitting bizarre giggles.
“Eek hee—yahoo—!”
The Wordless Book, “???”
Just as the Wordless Book was momentarily stunned, a pair of huge pink rabbit ears popped out from the four massive ships with a “pop.”
The style looked just like a festive parade float.
Bruce Ma, “???”
————
In the end of a dirty, narrow alley at the Pasupati Temple in India.
A bl**d-soaked spiritual ability user leaned against a crumbling wall, trembling as he assumed a fighting stance.
Less than ten minutes after the helicopter crash, of the six APTYA members, only he remained.
He had witnessed his companions being devoured by a pale giant beast, shredded by a strange bird, and backfired by their own spirit energy items… A series of bloody and bizarre gruesome images had nearly driven him to the brink of mental collapse.
And now, he was about to fall apart.
With his bloodshot eyes barely able to open a slit due to the swelling, he saw sprawling white flesh everywhere—on the ground, on the buildings, in the sky… and that eerie figure blending into the items.
Just then, in the moment before he was about to lose consciousness, as if a hallucination appeared, the white color suddenly transformed into pink, fluffy pink, filling the entire city with pink.
In that moment, he felt he had finally gone mad, driven to madness by this terrifying urban legend…
————
On the mountain road surrounding the Zhenwu Mountain scenic area.
Two shared electric vehicles sped at an astonishing speed.
In principle, the maximum speed of an electric vehicle is capped at 25 km/h. Although some daredevils might modify them to reach 60 km/h, that would already be near the limit of what an electric vehicle can withstand.
Of course, that’s just the principle; if miracles happen, it’s not up for discussion.
The two people driving the electric vehicles were Sheim and Salih, and their speed had reached an astounding 120 km/h.
They created this “miracle” because they sensed the Miracle Flower blooming, and upon reaching the Zhenwu Mountain scenic area, they could see, from afar, that colossal, holy, and radiant golden flower blooming in the sky.
The fragrance of the Miracle Flower wafted over even to Shizhou City, dozens of kilometers away.
“Quick, quick, quick!” Sheim urged Salih, “That direction is where the Dachunyang Palace is; such a massive Miracle Flower blooming must be a sign that the Holy Son created a miracle inside Dachunyang Palace! If we reach late, we won’t be able to witness the grand moment of the miracle’s birth!”
“Understood!” Salih shouted back, turning the vehicle and speeding off the road, charging into the dark ravine.
Seeing this, Sheim slammed the brakes abruptly, creating sparks as the wheels clashed, stopping the electric vehicle by the roadside, then stretching his neck to glance into the bottomless ravine, his expressions twisted.
“So, you see… the youth today just doesn’t understand! This is the time for the Holy Son to create miracles, not your time to shine!”
Muttering to himself, he restarted the electric vehicle, which was belching smoke, heading toward the depths of the Zhenwu Mountain scenic area. He hadn’t gone far before flames erupted from the wheels.
Under the night, from afar, it looked like the evil spirit rider from a movie, with occasional pained screams resonating from the burns inflicted.
…
A few minutes later.
A burnt-bottomed Sheim and a bruised Salih quietly infiltrated Dachunyang Palace, successfully meeting near the mountain gate.
Soon after seeing numerous disciples inside Dachunyang Palace, fighting against those monsters fused with their own bodies, with pale flesh everywhere, a suffocating spirit energy thickening the massive palace complex, they’d drawn two conclusions.
First, Dachunyang Palace was definitely going to perish this time.
Second, the Holy Son truly deserved to be a symbol of miracles, managing to seize such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create an unparalleled miracle within Dachunyang Palace.
With these conclusions and their yearning for the Miracle Flower, they slipped into the vicinity of Chi Li Hall, and then… witnessed the “miracle” with their own eyes.
Under the night, the wreckage of a tower burned by flames rose tall. At the top of the ruins stood a slender figure enveloped in golden light, behind her blossomed a colossal golden flower that overshadowed the sun, with countless petals overlapping, dazzling to the eye.
“She” stood there, lavishly dispersing the fragrance of the Miracle Flower, as if sitting at the very apex of the world.
Countless strange figures and a sea of pale flesh surged towards “her,” just as they were about to touch her body, something unexpected happened.
Suddenly, the golden light intensified, and under the blinding golden orb, those strange figures and pale flesh froze midair and then seemingly birthed a touch of flamboyant pink.
Countless figures with pink rabbit ears, resembling cartoon plush toys, fell from the sky like a rain of pink.
In that pink rain, strange, spirit-polluting laughter echoed.
What is a miracle?
Sheim and Salih exchanged glances, and in unison, they found the affirmative answer in each other’s eyes.
This is a miracle!
The Holy Son’s strength is unmatched; we are willing to follow closely by this side!
————
Similar situations to those in Amsterdam, Pasupati Temple, and Dachunyang Palace continually unfolded in seven areas corrupted by Calamity.
That night, in seven areas, the city was filled with pink fluffy rabbits…
————
In the depths of the night, within the Bamboo Slips Illusion.
At a depth in the dense forest, a dark and ugly monster fish hovered before a desk, with its long fins shimmering with a faint blue light, scratching furiously on a phantom piece of paper.
“Operational plan number 3,792, pertaining to the task of the [Super Magical Girl Demon-Slaying System], version number 632…”
The current situation continued to deviate from its original trajectory, racing ahead, and the system found it increasingly difficult to comprehend; a series of plans previously laid out were now glaringly unsuitable.
Fortunately, it had extensive experience in dealing with the seven apocalyptic factors and could timely adapt plans to respond to potential changes.
As time slowly passed, when the system elegantly penned over ten thousand words on that phantom piece of paper, just as it was about to complete the initial revisions, Gu Qiqi, riding Gu Jinhua, landed beside it.
“System, system…”
“Don’t bother me, Gu Qiqi!” the system sharply interrupted, “Didn’t I just tell you not to disturb me if there’s nothing going on?”
“But…”
“There’s no but!” It interrupted again, “If you keep messing around here, you’ll face a halving of rewards for your next three tasks!”
“……” Gu Qiqi fell silent for a few seconds, puffing her cheeks and tentatively said, “What about this time?”
“What’s this time?” The system glanced at Gu Qiqi, taken aback.
“This time’s reward won’t be halved, right?” Gu Qiqi whispered, “I just completed a task.”
The system, “……”
After a few seconds of silence, it slowly moved its gaze towards the phantom piece of paper floating before it, sighed heavily, then began screaming madly, flailing its fins in a fit, tearing the paper into shreds…
d*mn it, what is this thing?!
(EMMM, written a bit too much today, might have errors in detail, welcome everyone to help point them out…)
Epilogue One
Heavy clouds stacked up in the sky, resembling a piece of twisted, giant pig iron hanging above, making it hard to breathe, and torrents of rain strings fell from below, exuding a foul odor reminiscent of corpses.
The rain splattered onto the streets, sprinkled across intersecting roads, and slapped against the surfaces of towering buildings… in an instant, blooming into clusters of dark green “bulbs,” those bulbs writhing and blossoming, with irregular green threads spreading outwards.
In the city, beings contaminated by the rainwater and irregular threads began to sprout wriggling dark green flesh on their skin, resembling swarms of insects.
At the edge of the city, a girl donned in a luxurious green gown and with long powdery white hair, gazed silently at the city gradually being consumed by dark green fungal threads, lost in a prolonged silence.
Behind her, several individuals stood silently.
A tall boy, with red hair and white face, holding a wolf’s tooth spear; a girl dressed in a dark purple outfit, with a short kn*fe hanging at her waist; a one-eyed elder carrying a huge gourd; a big sister in a white suit stained with bl**d; and a vague, short figure.
“This Pestilence Taijie is powerful; it seems this time we really can’t win! Everyone worked hard; let’s pull back for now?”
Upon hearing this, the “short figure” unconsciously took a step forward, looking at her back with a complex expression, wanting to say something but ultimately lowering their head in silence.
Noticing the “short figure’s” odd behavior, the girl turned to face her, ruffling her hair, smiling, “Not willing to accept it? I’m not entirely willing either!”
“But losing this time is alright; I’ll definitely become the strongest and change everything with everyone!”
“Trust me… x*x*x!”
The girl’s lips opened and closed, as if calling out someone’s name, only for her voice to become distorted at the moment of uttering the name due to some strange force.
The “short figure” widened their eyes, gazing at the girl just inches away from them, their eyes trembling, mouth opening to speak, only for the exquisite face before them to abruptly morph into a rabbit with pink fur, large ears protruding from the gaps.
Then…
With a burst of eerie laughter, it stuck out its tongue and made an exaggerated face.
…
“d*mn! Don’t come closer!”
With a startled shout, the system woke from its slumber, opening its little eyes to find itself in a pitch-dark forest illuminated by bioluminescent mushrooms.
Beside it, a campfire crackled softly, and by the fireside, Gu Qiqi lay sprawled over the massive and plump body of Gu Jinhua, sound asleep.
Seeing this, the system secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but soon after, as the images from its dream and memories surfaced, its guilty feelings grew increasingly tangled.
It could no longer remember the last time it had slept so soundly, nor the last time someone had called it that name… and the dream it had was of that nature.
Was it the calamity that prevented the resurrection of Calamity? That method to pollute faith in a short span of time—there shouldn’t be any other urban legend capable of that, right?
But that doesn’t prove she has changed; absolutely can’t waver in my thoughts or trust her easily because of this small matter.
I will no longer be deceived by her sweet words!
She may have other terrifying plans, just like that time…
The system recalled the terrifying experience of the calamity swallowing the other six major apocalyptic factors, transforming into the scariest urban legend in this world.
Since such things have happened before, it isn’t impossible for it to happen again!
After pondering for a moment, it lightly waved its fin, causing a roll of phantom paper to quietly unfold before it.
Thus, the revision of “Operational Plan Number 3,793, pertaining to Task of the [Super Magical Girl Demon-Slaying System], Version Number 633” began.
————
Under the night sky, in Dachunyang Palace, on Zixiao Terrace, thunder rumbled everywhere.
The massive platform seemed to have become a legendary thunder pool, where countless electric arcs churned with emerald water, surging in waves.
Suddenly, between the lightning and green water, a solemn phantom appeared, donning a crown of black jade, clad in feathered robes, and bearing a giant flag, his eyes radiating divine light as he swung down a sword made of condensed thunder.
With a single strike, the churning lightning and water froze momentarily, then began to rapidly shrink.
As the lightning and water contracted to their limits, leaving only a pinpoint behind, a fierce light burst forth, and when the brilliant light dissipated, an elderly figure with white hair and tattered clothing appeared on the Zixiao Terrace.
The elder was none other than the Black Emperor Zhang Hainan.
Having completed the suppression of the Codename F urban legend, he finally left that divine realm and returned to this world.
He seated himself cross-legged atop the Zixiao Terrace, meditated for a long while, exhaling heavily before slowly opening his eyes.
Although the faith of the Codename F urban legend was tainted, causing its spirit energy fluctuations to weaken, it was nonetheless an initial-grade cataclysmic urban legend with terrifying power.
To seal it without a gap, preventing its faith from spreading further, was almost akin to killing it outright, putting it into a deep slumber.
Although he had united with the eldritch god behind the Tulip Society and the Gu King Holy Bug from the Miao region, Zhang Hainan still nearly drained his spirit energy, growing several sizes slimmer, appearing weak and haggard.
Fortunately, the source of Codename F’s faith-spreading had been nearly completely severed…
For the Codename F urban legend to wreak havoc in the world again, it would need to k*ll all three cataclysmic entities involved in its suppression. Zhang Hainan thought.
He did not know whether the eldritch god and Gu King Holy Bug would be killed, but he certainly would not be!
Of course, even then he couldn’t let his guard down; as long as there were people constantly bestowing malice upon the Codename F urban legend, one day it would awaken again.
People’s thoughts are always hard to change, and strict supervision over Codename F urban legend, including continually reinforcing and maintaining its seal, would be necessary until its power is thoroughly corroded by the tainted faith.
Yet…
Zhang Hainan thought that in the future, some parents might find themselves admonishing their children with, “You keep this up, indulging in XX, and you’d better watch out for turning into a pink fluffy rabbit!” His expression became somewhat nuanced.
Just then, a commotion of hurried footsteps approached; someone was coming up the steps leading to the Zixiao Terrace.
Soon, a rugged-looking, robust middle-aged man appeared before Zhang Hainan on the Zixiao Terrace.
The newcomer, known as Huayangzi, is one of the elders of Dachunyang Palace and the eldest disciple of Zhang Hainan’s third senior brother, often overseeing the discipline of the disciples with Bi Xuzi.
“Greetings, Chief Priest! At last, you’re back! You don’t know how chaotic things have become in Dachunyang Palace—hurry and take charge!” Huayangzi clasped his fists in salutation.
Zhang Hainan appraised Huayangzi, his gaze lingering on the wrap of bandages around him and squinting slightly, “Huayangzi, what’s that on your head?”
Hearing this, a flicker of panic flashed across Huayangzi’s face as he stammered, “W-Well, Chief Priest, I just… sustained a minor injury…”
A minor injury wrapped up like this? Zhang Hainan’s suspicion deepened, and he said lightly, “Is that so? Then take off the bandages; I’ll have a go at healing you for you!”
“Ah…” Huayangzi instinctively took a step back, looking uncomfortable.
“Are you going to take it off, or do you want me to help you take it off?” Zhang Hainan said in a serious tone, “Hurry, or I’m really going to make a move!”
“……”
Amidst the silence, Huayangzi once again retreated a step; after hesitating for a moment, he finally grit his teeth, raised his hand, and took off the bandage on his head, causing a pair of pink rabbit ears to pop out with a “pop!”
A burly male thaumaturge sporting a pair of cartoonish plush rabbit ears was a pretty peculiar mix.
He blushed furiously, covering his face with both hands and said, “I was confused for a moment and was misled by a vile entity. I ask for your punishment, Chief Priest!”
Zhang Hainan, “……”
This… Could it be that those who were corroded by the Codename F urban legend but not fully corrupted were all transformed into this grotesque form?
What am I supposed to punish for?
In this state, going out to meet people is the biggest punishment for him! Zhang Hainan thought.
However, immediately afterwards, his years of teaching and nurturing experience made him realize that this situation was somewhat ominous.
Those who had been corroded by the Codename F urban legend, many of whom harbored no malevolent thoughts, yet now suddenly sprouting these rabbit ears, would lead to a lot of unfair treatment—they could even trigger considerable trouble.
Minimizing the impact would require careful handling and a lot of time…
“Huayangzi, how many disciples are in a situation like yours?” Zhang Hainan asked midway through.
“Um…” Huayangzi remembered a bit and replied, “To report to Chief Priest, while I haven’t done the full accounting, roughly estimated, it’s about two thousand five to three thousand.”
Zhang Hainan, “……”
Two thousand five to three thousand? So nearly thirty percent of the disciples have been corrupted?
How could there be so many?
d*mn it, Dachunyang Palace is nearly turning into a place of chaos…
————
The next day, morning.
Lu Xianbei supported her chin with one hand, tilting her head as she looked at the sleeping Fu Xinyi, bound to a crooked tree by a spell.
After the Proxy Player Sister left, Huasang had received word from Qing Xiazi that the crisis had been averted and immediately departed the circular city highway, each going their separate ways to act.
Huasang returned to the Zhenwu Mountain scenic area to report to Qing Xiazi.
Meanwhile, Lu Xianbei collected the remnants of the spirit energy items left by Hu Chuan, then headed to the Never-Night Street where she found Lin Nian, paying the final amount, and helped her summon her great-grandfather as per their agreement.
Afterward, she sought a relatively secluded place, bathed in the morning sun, and then, riding the Shuishu Beast, arrived here, finding Fu Xinyi sleeping for over ten hours.
After a moment’s contemplation, she raised her hand and removed the spell binding Fu Xinyi.
Then…
She turned around and petted the large head of the Shuishu Beast, gently saying, “Big cousin, please take care of this one; I’ll need you to take her back later.”
“Pfft—!”
The Shuishu Beast snorted impatiently, looking at Fu Xinyi with a face full of disdain.
Though among the disciples of Dachunyang Palace, Fu Xinyi was one it comparatively liked, normally, gaining its approval would require her to work a little harder.
At least a hundred times more effort!
“Please help me, big cousin! You saw yesterday as well; you should know my identity is rather sensitive. It would be troublesome if I can’t find someone to take the blame!” Lu Xianbei said, making exaggerated facial expressions while offering three spicy strips to the Shuishu Beast.
The Shuishu Beast glanced at the spicy strips and, extending its tongue, rolled it in before chewing, then held its head high and stooped down.
Seeing this, Lu Xianbei hurried to carry Fu Xinyi and place her securely on the Shuishu Beast’s back, then handed over three more spicy strips.
“Hey, you’re the best, big cousin! I’m counting on you…”
“Pfft!” As if responding to Lu Xianbei, the Shuishu Beast lightly snorted, then stood upright and turned towards the direction of Dachunyang Palace, galloping off at lightning speed.
————
Meanwhile.
In Dachunyang Palace’s Qiaoyuan Courtyard, Huasang’s abode.
Inside the room, Qing Xiazi sat before the computer, watching a video recording just transmitted from the traffic police.
In the video, on the ring road of Shizhou City, dense fog rolled in, and amid the fog, a silhouette cloaked in lightning flashed by. It was vaguely visible that a girl was riding on that seemingly horse-shaped figure.
“Are you saying this is your apprentice, Xinyi?”
“……” Huasang hesitated briefly before nodding, “Probably, many people witnessed her riding down the mountain on a divine beast yesterday.”
Everyone saw Fu Xinyi riding down the mountain on the divine beast; who else could it have been but her?
No one else could ride a divine beast if they weren’t acknowledged by it!
“Where is your apprentice now?”
Huasang shook his head, responding frankly, “I don’t know.”
Qing Xiazi furrowed her brow thoughtfully, and at that moment, a soft call came from outside the window.
“Quick! Hurry to the mountain gate; the divine beast is bringing back Senior Fu!”
“The divine beast… Fu Senior… Could it be that the one who turned the tide last night was Senior Fu?”
“Very possible! Even if it wasn’t, she surely played a crucial role!”
“……”
Hearing the noise from outside, Qing Xiazi turned to Huasang and cast inquiring eyes at him.
Huasang shrugged, indicating “I don’t know, don’t ask me.”
Seeing this, Qing Xiazi rolled her eyes at him, hurriedly stood up, and followed after those disciples rushing towards the mountain gate.
When she arrived at the mountain gate, she witnessed an astonishing scene.
What towered at the end of the massive platform, which had been a wreck from the chaos of the previous night, was a divine beast adorned with green scales and golden fur, robust in form, gracefully approaching, surrounded by faint mist and weak arcs of electricity.
From afar, it resembled a victorious warrior.
As soon as the gathered crowd spotted the figure on the divine beast’s back, nearly all hundreds of them instinctively held their breaths. As the divine beast continued to draw near, everyone could see the figure’s face, erupting into cheers.
“It’s real, it’s real—Senior Fu has returned!”
“Oh my goodness! Senior Fu actually…”
“……”
Among the crowd, Qing Xiazi gazed keenly at her beloved disciple, eyes narrowing slightly.
It seems I’ve underestimated Fu Xinyi…
With her talent, studying under an A-Class spiritual ability user would only hinder her, Qing Xiazi thought.
In the bustling sounds of excitement, the long-dormant Fu Xinyi was roused; in that moment, she felt an onset of familiarity—dizziness spreading.
Regaining her senses, she slowly opened her eyes to behold the aquamarine scales of the divine beast, and the throngs of people at the mountain gate.
She blinked in bewilderment for two seconds, drew a deep breath, and then shut her eyes gently.
I must be dreaming; I must be dreaming to see such a scene… Fu Xinyi self-reassured, until the voice of Qing Xiazi broke through her thoughts.
“Xinyi, you must be exhausted; come back with me!”
“Master, I…”
Fu Xinyi suddenly raised her head to look at Qing Xiazi, wanting to explain something, but Qing Xiazi relentlessly interrupted, “No need to say, I understand!”
“……”
Why… Why is this happening?
Clearly, there’s nothing sad about it, yet why are tears welling in my eyes? Fu Xinyi pondered.
————
Among the crowd.
Huasang quietly observed the scene of Fu Xinyi being taken away by Qing Xiazi and noticed someone approaching from behind, glancing back, with a slight frown.
“Do you think what we did was a bit too much?”
“……” Lu Xianbei pondered for a couple of seconds, her expression unreadable, “Fu Xinyi is still young; a bit more training is good for her.”
“As for me, I’m getting old—I can’t handle such tribulations.”
“Neither can I.” Huasang replied earnestly.
“Then, let her bear it on her own!” Lu Xianbei stated.
“Hmm.” Huasang lightly responded, then shifted the topic, “Yesterday, we caught two suspicious individuals near Chi Li Hall, currently detained at Zhen Ting Hall.”
“They seem to know you; do you want to go check it out?”
“Suspicious individuals?” Lu Xianbei tilted her head.
“Yes, when disciples found them, they were lying among the ruins of Chi Li Hall, in a state of spirit patterns surge.” Huasang explained.
“What surging state?” Lu Xianbei blinked in disbelief.
“That kind of state is somewhat similar to resonance with powers; simply put, they are fervent believers who have seen the object of their worship, and their spirit patterns are influenced by the object’s power, entering an extremely euphoric state; in severe cases, they may even lose their senses.” Huasang elaborated.
Pausing, she added, “Additionally, I heard that yesterday the Miracle Saint made an appearance at Chi Li Hall, neutralizing many members of the Secret Society, with uncertain intentions.”
Hearing Huasang mention the Miracle Saint, Lu Xianbei instantly figured out who those two suspicious individuals were.
Although personal desires are free, being in a heightened spirit patterns state… is extremely strange.
I think the most urgent issue for them now isn’t to see me, but they’d better go see a doctor! Lu Xianbei thought.
Just then, a familiar voice flashed through her mind.
“Lu Xianbei, come to the back mountain; let’s have a talk.”
It was Zhang Hainan’s voice passed through the paper seal…
Zhang Hainan had indeed made a vow not to spy on “Gu Qiqi” through the paper seal, but what does that have to do with Lu Xianbei?
Epilogue Two
That day, the old Liu Head, who lived in the village near the Zhenwu Mountain scenic area, woke up early as usual, pulling his cart to sell melons at Xuanwu Ping. Just as he set up his stall, a strange person approached.
A handsome boy with cold eyes, an eerily pale gaze, squatted before the melon stall, expressionless, and asked, “Sir, how much are these melons per pound?” as he lightly caressed his fingers over the watermelons.
Though it was a simple action, the old Liu Head felt a chill creep up his back.
He didn’t know if it was his illusion, but he felt that the boy was caressing plump human heads.
“Um, um, two yuan and fifty cents per pound.” The old Liu Head chuckled awkwardly.
“Alright, then give me a basket.”
“……” The old Liu Head opened his mouth to respond but heard the boy again ask, “By the way, Sir, are these melons fertile?”
“Why would you ask that—I’m an old man selling melons, how could I sell…” The old Liu Head suddenly realized something didn’t seem right, and froze there.
It was common for people to ask whether the melons were ripe, but this was the first time someone asked whether they were “fertile,” and it felt very strange.
“I just want ten fertile melons, the more fertile, the better.” The boy calmly stated.
“Um, no, young man, what do you mean?” The old Liu Head waved his hand, dismissing him, “Go, go, go, don’t make a scene!”
“I’m not making a scene; I just want fertile melons, ten of them.” The boy’s tone remained firm. “If that’s not enough, I’ll even add money, a hundred each, and want five.”
For one melon, Zhang Hainan’s old man would compensate me two hundred, yet here I’d spend only a hundred for five and make a keen profit, not to mention being able to watch him eat watermelon—a surefire money-maker! Lu Xianbei thought.
This kid values credibility; he declared he’d want to see the elder eat melons, and he definitely wanted to see that!
“Fine, wait here; I’ll go get them for you!” The old Liu Head unconditionally agreed.
For a hundred each, even if they weren’t fertile, even if the melon seeds were made of gold, he could get them!
So, ten minutes later, Lu Xianbei contentedly backed a tote bag of large and round watermelons, setting off towards the back mountain of Dachunyang Palace.
By the time the old Liu Head brought the melons, he had already checked to see that they were indeed superior melons; when he cut it open, he temporarily mistakenly thought it was a winter melon.
Looking at the pale deathly flesh of the melon, Lu Xianbei was quite worried that old Zhang Hainan would experience gastrointestinal issues after eating it.
Thus, she prepared a box of digestive pills he had left over…
————
On the back mountain of Dachunyang Palace, at the edge of the cliff, stood a robust ancient pine tree.
The thick branches of the ancient pine twisted and curled, the rough tree bark resembling a coiling dragon, with its massive canopy spread out like an awning.
Beneath the pine sat an elderly man with white hair, meditating on a bamboo mat, brewing this year’s freshly harvested tea from Zhenwu Mountain over a small charcoal burner and a pottery kettle on a flat, natural stone table.
The elder was Zhang Hainan. Although he had bathed and changed into clean clothes, the tremendous consumption from the night before still left him looking somewhat haggard, his face exuding an added sense of weariness compared to usual.
That feeling was akin to an ordinary old object appearing rusty overnight yet becoming more charming as an antique.
After some rest, having left the Moon-gathering Cave, he cast a divination concerning the future of Dachunyang Palace.
The hexagram symbolized water, indicating danger ahead, belonging to an ominous hexagram.
This hexagram foretold a future fraught with hardships and dangers, neither adventuring nor being idle would work; yet if one remained as determined as endlessly flowing water, unseeking of luck, willing to confront hardships, and applying wisdom, they could turn danger into safety.
In an increasingly prolonged night filled with monsters and growing legends in the world, establishing a cult would…
From a certain perspective, this hexagram could actually be viewed as auspicious.
After storing the copper coins used for divination, Zhang Hainan contacted Lu Xianbei through the paper seal.
……
“Rustle… Rustle…”
In the distance, footsteps crunching on fallen leaves echoed lightly.
Zhang Hainan lifted his head, seeing Lu Xianbei approaching while carrying a basket of watermelons along the winding mountain path; the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, before he silently prepared a teacup, brewing a cup of tea to place on the opposite side of the table.
As Lu Xianbei drew near, he raised his hand gently, saying softly, “You’re here? Sit down.”
“Yeah…” Lu Xianbei responded, setting the basket beside the stone table carefully, and quickly fell into a state of fluster.
At this moment, facing Zhang Hainan, the facileness she felt at the Never-Night Street breakfast shop had evaporated.
This time feels different.
There’s a saying about settling accounts after the autumn harvest; Lu Xianbei felt that Zhang Hainan召ing her here had little chance for praise and more potential for settling scores.
She dared not drink the tea on the table.
With a sip, she might suddenly black out and wake up with a collar around her neck, tethered in front of the door of Dachunyang Palace.
She also temporarily refrained from mentioning the matter of watermelons.
The reputation of the Black Emperor is very firm; there would be nothing that could be done to him.
Zhang Hainan looked at the fidgeting Lu Xianbei, studying her thoroughly several times before smiling, “What’s the matter? Are you afraid of me? You weren’t like this in the Never-Night Street.”
“I’m not; I’m not; don’t think too much of it!”
Lu Xianbei shook her head vigorously like a rattle, earnestly stating, “I have no grudges or feuds with you; you’re so kind and magnanimous; why would I fear you?”
How could it possibly be like now when the pink fluffy rabbit had not been settled yet? Lu Xianbei thought.
“If you aren’t afraid, then this…” Zhang Hainan pointed at Lu Xianbei, laughing softly, “Ha ha…”
The instant Lu Xianbei sat down, the Ling Tai Purification she carried activated, transforming into full armor and wrapping her body tightly with layers; a towering diamond-shaped tower shield unexpectedly thrust between the two of them, instantly making her appear like an “iron bucket.”
Even her outerwear, at the activation of Ling Tai Purification, had deftly changed its aura, engulfing Lu Xianbei’s aura into the surrounding environment.
“Uh, that’s not because I’m scared…” Lu Xianbei lowered her head, glancing through the helmet’s gaps at the armor on her body, her eyes darting around, explaining, “In today’s world, it’s standard to wear a helmet while fishing. Isn’t it reasonable to be fully equipped while drinking tea? It’s just a personal habit.”
Hearing this, Zhang Hainan shook his head in silent disapproval, smiling, “Do what you like! I summoned you mainly to ask you a few things, and also to fulfill our previous promise.”
He was well aware of Lu Xianbei’s sensitive identity and that this would make her cautious—a perfectly normal reaction.
As he spoke, he lowered his head, reaching into his wide sleeve to rummage briefly. He pulled out a scroll radiating an ominous air, a souvenir USB drive marked with the logo of the Zhenwu Mountain scenic area, and a paper seal.
The scroll contained the “Hunting Chart for Canines,” which he previously promised to Lu Xianbei, while the USB drive contained schematics for three spirit energy items.
When Zhang Hainan raised his head again, placing the scroll, USB, and paper seal on the table, Lu Xianbei synchronously surged out a large watermelon from the basket, placing it on the table.
Seeing that, Zhang Hainan’s mouth twitched, his complexion darkening, “Let’s talk about the watermelons later.”
Why are you so focused on wanting me to eat melons?! Don’t you have any questions for me? Zhang Hainan interiorly lamented.
Noticing the odd expression on his face, Lu Xianbei hastily said, “Uh, I thought you mentioned fulfilling a promise, so I thought… my apologies!”
“Indeed, these matters are like waiting for a green light, not smoking in public, not throwing things from heights, not littering… all depends on one’s awareness, wouldn’t you say?”
As Lu Xianbei continued speaking, she ungrudgingly gathered the scroll, USB drive, and paper seal into her pockets.
Pausing, she added, “The paper seal I will take for Gu Qiqi for now; don’t worry, I’ll return it to her when I see her.”
“……”
That particular remark was wholly unnecessary; as the Chief Priest of Dachunyang Palace, would I ever go back on my word?
Zhang Hainan internalized a groan, glancing at Lu Xianbei, suppressing the urge to slap her head into submission, and asked, “About the sword swing that severed time yesterday, that was done by Senior Qing Ji, right?”
Upon hearing Zhang Hainan mention Qing Ji, there was a momentary dimness in Lu Xianbei’s eyes, before she earnestly replied, “I’m not clear about that; you would need to ask Sister Fu Xinyi.”
Zhang Hainan, “……”
This response was in alignment with Huasang’s girl… Have you both conspired to pin this down on Fu Xinyi?!
This was utterly distasteful! I’m curious to see just how far that girl can push herself; if she can press on with resolve, it would be perfectly fine to pass her title to her…
Zhang Hainan had been serving as the Chief Priest of Dachunyang Palace for several decades and had long since entertained the notion of passing on the succession, but had struggled to do so due to the lack of suitable candidates.
Among the elders, there were many outstanding individuals, but the most gifted, Xuanji Zi, was obsessed with music and music-wove his little path with his impractical habits, whereas the keen-witted Bi Xuzi, who was dedicated to the sect’s welfare, was like his disciple—too slow-witted; Qing Xiazi was intelligent but overly gentle and lacking in tenacity.
In the younger generation’s disciples, there were remarkable individuals like Huasang and Fu Xinyi, yet still far too young and not fully defined; they required more refinement.
And now, clearly, the time had come for Fu Xianyi’s refinement.
After a moment of pondering, Zhang Hainan looked back towards Lu Xianbei and inquired, “Speaking of which, do you know about your engagement with that girl Huasang?”
What does he mean? Is this old man following the same path as the Ancestor, attempting to arrange a marriage? Lu Xianbei’s heart abruptly raced, worrying, “Senior, it’s not sweet to force a melon that isn’t ripe; this kind of thing…”
As she spoke halfway, Zhang Hainan waved his hand to interject, “It’s not my concern about your marriage; you should know your father, Lu Ming, arranged countless engagements for you as well?”
Lu Xianbei gasped, pausing momentarily, “You know my old man?”
After saying this, she felt a bit silly for asking—her dad was also an ancestor’s descendant, so it made sense for Zhang Hainan to recognize him.
“Of course, I know him.” Zhang Hainan grinned, “A powerful spiritual ability user like him is quite rare!”
Even if Lu Ming wasn’t a descendant of Qing Ji, he was still the only one to have achieved A+ grade as a spiritual ability user and earned the qualification to become a protector of the Siye Society, with the code name Yunshen Machine…
How could Zhang Hainan possibly not know him?
However, in the end, Lu Ming had ultimately declined the invitation to become a protector and had never sat across from him at the meeting for protectors.
He was formidable, but he was also killed; his remnants were still trapped within the Solar Eclipse Society, and his son risked life and limb to save him… Lu Xianbei inwardly scoffed, continuing to inquire, “Alright, you just mentioned my father arranged many engagements for me? What does that mean?”
Zhang Hainan grinned, raising five fingers.
Lu Xianbei, “……”
Five? So apart from Gu Qiqi and Huasang, there are still three?
That’s fine; it stays within the realm of acceptability.
“Five hundred… as a starting point.” Zhang Hainan added, “And this is just for humans; considering urban legends and various other creatures, it would be at least doubled.”
Lu Xianbei, “???”
Old man, I understand your style tends to be unpredictable, but this time you’ve gone too far!
So many engagement prospects, including non-humans, even beyond stones…
What on earth do you intend to do?
Lu Xianbei suddenly felt that if someone ever told her, “Do you think the whole world is married to you?” she could calmly respond, “It could be.”
Given the current scenario, even a large rock by the roadside might have an engagement tied to her.
While Lu Xianbei pondered this, she carefully scrutinized Zhang Hainan’s expressions and weakly asked, “Senior, why are you suddenly telling me this?”
In her perception, her father had never broached such a significant topic with her; now that Zhang Hainan had mentioned it, it certainly wasn’t an offhand remark but held some purpose.
Hit me! Old man, tell me your malignant little thoughts!
Zhang Hainan looked at Lu Xianbei, straightened his posture, solemnly declaring, “Lu Xianbei, I want to tell you that when you leave the mountain in the future, don’t hesitate to utilize your power; try your best to help others.”
Zhang Hainan vaguely understood the burden Lu Xianbei bore, and knew Dachunyang Palace could not keep her, just like they couldn’t keep Lu Yuebo and Lu Ming back then; forcibly keeping her would only have the opposite effect.
He hoped Lu Xianbei could do her utmost to help those engaged to her change their destinies, for in helping them, she would also be aiding herself.
When their fates improved, calamity would cease to occur.
“Only helping humans?” Lu Xianbei tilted her head.
Zhang Hainan looked at her, momentarily surprised, then suddenly opened his half-lidded eyes, bursting into laughter, “Haha, you’re right; how about not just helping every person you can help, but each urban legend, even every land!”
“And as for who deserves help and who doesn’t, that’s up to you to decide.”
As he spoke, he gestured towards Lu Xianbei’s chest.
“That’s… an interesting point…” Lu Xianbei furrowed her brows, “You might as well ask me to save the world.”
“Perhaps…” Zhang Hainan mused slightly, replying, “It might not make a difference.”
“Why? Afraid? Didn’t you just once do that?”
Sealing the pink fluffy rabbit and putting it to sleep, from a certain perspective, was already saving the world.
By some measure, an urban legend with such an extremely special ability, once awakened, its believers would explode in number, and the threat would become immeasurable.
Lu Xianbei sidestepped Zhang Hainan’s gaze, muttering, “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
“Understanding doesn’t matter.” Zhang Hainan said with a smile, “But if you’re willing, why not start helping that girl Huasang?”
“Help her?” Lu Xianbei looked curiously at Zhang Hainan, “What can I help her with?”
Could it just be that she was enjoying the helping?
Zhang Hainan didn’t answer Lu Xianbei’s question directly, but turned his gaze towards the cold pond nearby and continued to speak on his own, “It is said that in ancient times, this land was once a vast marsh, with countless demons and monsters, where people often lost their lives.”
“When the ancestor of Dachunyang Palace established the sect, he sent the Qilin and the Xuangui to fill in the marsh and vanquish the monsters, forming this range of mountains. The offspring of the Qilin should be well known to you; the descendant of the Xuangui is said to be buried deep within these cold ponds, according to older generations of the sect, and the core of the urban legend of the Xuangui is hidden deep in these ponds; it should be lured up using human fire…”
Lu Xianbei interrupted, “Wait, how is this relevant to Huasang? How does it connect to me?”
“Huasang needs the Xuangui’s core to completely rid herself of the danger of spirit patterns spiraling out of control…” Zhang Hainan clarified, “And to fish up that core, it apparently needs to use human fire as bait, which is something that Qing Ji researched from ancient texts.”
“Given your relationship with Senior Qing Ji, I believe you can figure out what that human fire truly refers to.”
Lu Xianbei, “……”
Understood, he meant for me to ask Ancestor how to fish up the turtle’s core in the water.
But…
Since last night until now, there had been no sign of Ancestor, and she wondered if that remaining soul in the fragment of Ling Tai Purification had dissipated along with that remnant, so she would need to reassure herself about that first.
With that in mind, Lu Xianbei answered Zhang Hainan, “I can try.”
“Then that’s good.” Zhang Hainan nodded in agreement, “I’ve said what I needed to; if there’s nothing else, you’re free to do as you wish?”
Upon hearing this, Lu Xianbei stared at Zhang Hainan, remaining seated and unmoving.
“What’s the matter? Is there something else?”
Slowly, Lu Xianbei’s gaze shifted to the basket of watermelons on the stone table, then back to Zhang Hainan, raising her eyebrows.
“Uh…” Zhang Hainan’s mouth twitched for a moment, straightening his expression and saying solemnly, “Lu Xianbei, I’m not someone who goes back on my word. But look, I’m getting old; eating so many raw melons all at once, I’m afraid…”
Zhang Hainan trailed off; at lightning speed, Lu Xianbei pulled out a box of digestive pills from the crevices in her armor, slapping them on the stone table.
I’ve prepared it for you, so be considerate and take it!
“……” Zhang Hainan’s face twitched for a few seconds, then he said solemnly, “I can eat it, but could you not record it?”
“Oh.” Lu Xianbei lightly replied, silently putting away a phone that had inexplicably appeared.
Epilogue Three
At dawn, in Dachunyang Palace, Zhen Ting Hall.
A stunningly beautiful youth, dressed in white, paused momentarily in front of Zhen Ting Hall, stepping forward to ascend the stairs, moving unimpeded toward the depths of Zhen Ting Hall.
From the entrance to the inner prison in Zhen Ting Hall, he traversed effortlessly, no matter the solidified spells of Zhen Ting Hall or the Dachunyang Palace disciples passing by—none seemed to notice his existence.
For a youth who wasn’t a disciple of Dachunyang Palace to enter Zhen Ting Hall as though it were an empty field was simply a miracle!
Finally, he halted before a thick iron door embossed with intricate spells deep within Zhen Ting Hall, raising his hand as if to knock, but hesitated, his hand linger in midair for a moment, then slowly lowered it, placing it on the doorknob.
Just as if he already knew the door wasn’t locked, he gently turned the knob, accompanied by a soft “click,” the door creaked open, revealing the sight within.
Behind the door sat a middle-aged man with a full beard, alongside a youthful boy with deeply set features, bound by the spell rope woven from the spells, slumped in a corner of the empty room.
They were two members of the Miracle Cult, Sheim and Salih.
Their cheeks appeared slightly flushed as if tipsy, their eyes showing a sense of daze, as if they’d just woken from a hangover.
When Sheim and Salih saw Fang Ji appear in Zhen Ting Hall’s confinement chamber, approaching them to untie their ropes, the haze in their eyes brightened, and they exclaimed, “Left Apostle Fang! Y-You’re here! Where’s the Holy Son?”
Fang Ji couldn’t help but smile knowingly.
Isn’t the Holy Son right before your eyes?
Having personally witnessed such a spectacle last night, Sheim and Salih had already accepted Fang Ji’s identity as a member of the Miracle Cult.
There was nothing dubious about it, as the Miracle Cult always recognized miracles over other traits.
If someone could bloom a Miracle Flower grander than the Holy Son, then that person would be believed by members of the cult, regardless of their claimed title.
When it comes to the act of creating miracles, they could never claim the title of Holy Son after having outperformed others.
Well… obviously, there was still some misunderstanding lingering.
But Fang Ji didn’t mind the misunderstanding; from a certain perspective, letting Lu Xianbei wear the title of Holy Son would facilitate the implementation of his future plans.
He didn’t see it as a betrayal to Lu Xianbei; wearing the title of Holy Son could grant her abundant faith power, while it also helped him avert many inconveniences—a fair exchange.
Thus, he had smoothly recognized himself as the Left Apostle of the Miracle Cult, and had it not been for the chaotic situation last night along with Sheim and Salih’s state of spirit patterns flooding, he would have brought them away last night.
“Last night’s turmoil had extensive implications; right now, the situation surrounding Shizhou City is chaotic. The Holy Son didn’t want to expose herself, so she had me come to escort you out.” Fang Ji smiled.
“Leave?” Sheim looked past Fang Ji and into the lengthy corridor behind him, frowning.
Having personally experienced the formidable defenses of Zhen Ting Hall, escaping from here required…
Just as Sheim’s mind flashed with the word “miracle,” a miracle indeed unfolded.
An indescribable fragrance drifted from Fang Ji, causing Sheim to pause momentarily. Following the source of the aroma, he noticed the Miracle Flower quietly blooming above them as well as the three disciples of Dachunyang Palace guarding them passing by the open door.
The three disciples strolled past the door of the confinement chamber without acknowledging the open door or the figure standing at its entrance—simply walking by as if this all existed in their blind spot.
A miracle!
“Let’s go! The Holy Son has also set a vital task for us that we need to attend to!” Fang Ji softly remarked, and after that, he turned to leave towards Zhen Ting Hall’s exit.
Sheim and Salih exchanged glances at Fang Ji’s back, their eyes brimming with a fiery determination as they quickened their pace to catch up.
Once they fell in line next to Fang Ji, Sheim eagerly inquired, “Left Apostle, what did the Holy Son assign us?”
Fang Ji, casting a sidelong glance at Sheim, simply noted, “Creating a miracle—a miracle unlike any since the establishment of the Miracle Cult.”
Sheim and Salih gazed at his retreating figure, their eyes widening, a flame rising within them, dancing furiously.
Noticing the curved blade that Sheim had seemingly inexplicably drawn, Fang Ji’s mouth twitched, “Uh, put away your sword; we’re not about to act just yet.”
“Oh oh.”
—
After leaving the back mountain, Lu Xianbei immediately returned to her lodging at Hongyan Retreat.
Ultimately, she never got to see Zhang Hainan finish eating that basket of watermelons.
The moment Zhang Hainan cut open a watermelon and saw the pallid flesh inside, his expression twitched violently; the next moment, Lu Xianbei’s vision was enveloped in swirling white mist.
It was uncertain what kind of sorcery the old man had employed, but one could only say that he truly deserved to be the strongest protector of the Siye Society.
When Lu Xianbei’s vision returned, that once full basket of watermelons had dwindled to only一块, and outside of the last piece, Zhang Hainan, having finished the final piece calmly in front of her, displayed an evergreen charm as he savored it.
Lu Xianbei could only return dejectedly.
After all, Zhang Hainan had eaten it, and not witnessing it was her problem…
Once back at Hongyan Retreat, she promptly prepared to attempt to communicate with the remnants of Qing Ji’s soul dwelling within the Ling Tai Purification.
In fact, she was deeply worried that the fragment of Qing Ji’s soul, which bore memories from her youth, would vanish along with the remnant fragment that housed the old memories if it took too long, disappearing into the void of the world.
The more she worried, the less she wanted to face it; it was like finding out a loved one had an accident yet not daring to inquire about the news, only allowing the anxious emotions to brew in her heart.
However, just as she locked the doors and windows and drew the curtains, she received a message from Jiang Li.
Miaomiao Sauce: “I just heard there was a huge commotion in Shizhou City last night. You weren’t caught, were you?”
Wang Buliu: “??? Not at all, why would you assume that what happened last night was related to me? You know me—I’ve always been law-abiding; how could I possibly do such things? Everyone is around the same 36 to 37 degrees in temperature, so why can you type out such an icy text?”
Miaomiao Sauce: “Is that so? [image]”
“……” Looking at the image Jiang Li sent, Lu Xianbei momentarily fell silent.
The image displayed a screenshot of a list, and Lu Xianbei instantly recognized it as the red wanted list from the Siye Society.
On the list, the term “Calamity” had dramatically increased from over ninety to sixty-seven, and the summary column now included a note of “related to Codename F urban legend.”
Lu Xianbei, “……” d*mn it, which b*stard is pulling strings from behind me? If you have the guts, confront me head-on!
Miaomiao Sauce: “Could you not make others worry? Just ensure your hands are clean next time.”
She genuinely did worry; each time she received news, it was seldom anything other than Lu Xianbei being involved in major incidents, or “successfully hunting Calamity” type of information.
Wang Buliu: “Don’t worry.”
After briefly replying to “Miaomiao Sauce” on social media, Lu Xianbei quickly switched numbers and texted Jiang Li.
Lu Xianbei: “Leader, is everything going smoothly in Jin Guan City?”
Long time without response, Jiang Li finally replied, “Rest assured, everything is set; we should be heading back to Huacheng no later than a month from now.”
Lu Xianbei: “That’s great! When you return, I’ll cook a grand meal for you to welcome you back.”
Jiang Li: “Uh-huh, remember to use less salt this time.”
Jiang Li: “Ready to head to the headquarters, chat later [heart emoji].”
……
“Jiang Li, everything is ready; we can set off!”
Hearing someone from the Special Action Team call out from a distance, Jiang Li put down her phone and neatly pocketed it, then headed towards the black off-road vehicle.
“Boom—!”
Once inside, she closed the door, and the driver, Xing Yuan, lowered her sunglasses slightly, turning to glance back at Jiang Li, with a meaningful smile, “You know, I just checked your report, and the materials concerning the advancement of spirit patterns are somewhat different from the previous ones?”
Upon hearing that, Jiang Li furrowed her brows slightly, her expression remaining indifferent, “I recall that my submitted materials were approved. Is there a review process by the inspector?”
“Don’t be so formal!” Xing Yuan chuckled, “I’m merely acting as a concerned godmother for someone. Judging by my understanding, this new material, although the primary advancement path remains unchanged, poses significantly greater risks!”
“But it could also become much stronger.” Jiang Li stated coolly.
When one loves someone, it’s not always about being together all the time; excessive closeness can create undue burdens.
From a certain perspective, the best way to love someone is to develop oneself, then support and grow together. Jiang Li felt she was gradually falling behind Lu Xianbei.
Thus, she was willing to take risks to have the ability to assist Lu Xianbei when needed.
“That kid wouldn’t know, would he?” Xing Yuan asked.
“……” Jiang Li looked at Xing Yuan and tilted her head, her cold tone implying, “Inspector, do you plan to leak the classified material regarding agents’ spirit pattern advancements?”
“Of course not; I’m not that nosy!” Xing Yuan shrugged, turning back to reapply her sunglasses and firmly gripping the steering wheel, accelerating.
Because I’ve done similar foolish things before… Xing Yuan thought.
————
Familiar darkness enveloped her vision, and a unique, slightly buzzing sound echoed in the extreme quiet.
Her body continually fell, as if floating like duckweed in water.
Once her feet touched solid ground and a gentle breeze brushed across her face, Lu Xianbei slowly opened her eyes, seeing the old, seemingly projected image of Mudan Street from a yellowed photo.
Standing at the entrance of Mudan Street under the faded archway, Lu Xianbei looked around, her gaze gradually dimming.
The entire street was empty, filled with a chilly breeze, desolate yards, slowly flowing clear canals… No one was to be seen in sight.
“……”
Has Ancestor truly disappeared along with that remnant soul…? Lu Xianbei contemplated.
At that moment, a premonition flashed through her mind.
[A sword struck from directly behind.]
As this thought flashed across her mind, Lu Xianbei activated her spirit device, the unyielding diamond tower shield and heavy armor instantly enveloping her, with barely any gaps.
A figure shot past her back with lightning speed, trailing sparks and producing a grating noise from their metal friction.
————
Moments later, before the Lipstick Tavern, Qing Ji sat at a table, arms crossed over his chest, glancing at the jagged sword that had turned serrated, and eyed Lu Xianbei sideways before slightly lifting his chin, disdainfully snorting.
“Hmph—!”
Though as the previous owner of the Ling Tai Purification, Qing Ji knew very well how formidable the defense of the Ling Tai Purification was, he was eager to test it out nonetheless.
Then he realized that Lu Xianbei’s armor was nearly impenetrable.
Earlier, he had tirelessly attacked Lu Xianbei for half an hour, using all his means, dulling his sword and numbing his hands, and he hadn’t managed to land even a single scratch on her, nor had he breached her defenses.
She just stood there, unmoving, like a solid iron pillar, and occasionally spouted some top-level taunts.
Not being able to harm her while silencing her was downright maddening.
“Uh…” Seeing Qing Ji in such a frustrated state, Lu Xianbei tentatively suggested, “Old Ancestor, how about I take off the armor to let you swing at me?”
“What do you mean, take off the armor for me to swing at? Are you mocking me? Is this a provocation?” Qing Ji glared at Lu Xianbei, banging the table in anger, “I’ll tell you, I won’t need it!”
“Look at this ghastly form—how
