Xia Lun looked back and saw Sletta standing gracefully behind him.
At this moment, Sletta was no longer hiding her face under a hood. Instead, she wore a magnificent emerald-green dress, her arms adorned with light white gauze. It was simple yet exquisite... exactly the same as Liyana's attire during her coronation.
Please excuse my appearance, Mr. Xia Lun.
Noticing Xia Lun's gaze lingering on her dress, Sletta lifted her skirt and gave him an impeccable curtsy. The corners of her mouth still bore that signature, elegantly sculpted smile.
Even among the elves, Sletta's appearance was stunningly beautiful. Xia Lun couldn't think of any other adjective besides perfect... She was so beautiful that it felt somewhat unreal.
It's quite surprising to see you dressed like this, Miss Sletta. Xia Lun withdrew his gaze, his voice calm. Sletta's current attire was a far cry from the plain blue robes she wore in the outside world... Her entire aura had changed.
As an astrologer, she was currently wearing the clothes of the Elven Queen... Xia Lun didn't want to overthink what this meant. He had no desire to get involved in the affairs of the elves.
Well, if Liyana had stayed here, even as the Elven Queen, there was an eighty percent chance she would have been tamed into an obedient puppet by Sletta. Xia Lun silently guessed in his heart.
After all, I am a girl too, and secretly, I also want to look pretty... I'm really embarrassed that Mr. Xia Lun had to see this side of me. Sletta narrowed her eyes at Xia Lun, playfully sticking out her tongue before placing a finger against her lips. I hope Mr. Xia Lun can keep this a secret for me.
Xia Lun didn't detect any hint of a threat in Sletta's tone; rather, it sounded like a coquettish plea laced with a touch of charm.
Oh? Is that so? Keep what a secret? A cold, clear voice suddenly rang out from behind Xia Lun.
Aina... why are you here too? Xia Lun turned his head in surprise.
What surprised him even more was Aina's attire. A fiery crimson evening gown clung tightly to her exquisite figure. Her shoulders were half-exposed, outlining her graceful curves and slender waist. This mature charm, completely different from her usual self, was like a red rose blooming abruptly, making it utterly impossible for Xia Lun to look away.
Aina naturally walked up to Xia Lun's side and wrapped her arm around his, her movements carrying an unquestionable sense of claiming ownership.
Lady Aina. Sletta bowed slightly once again, the perfect smile on her face unwavering. Are you satisfied with your accommodations these past few days?
Not bad. That much was undeniable, but Aina still stared intently at Sletta, shielding Xia Lun behind her.
That is wonderful to hear. Sletta then slowly raised her head, looking toward the corrupted branch.
The scale of the corruption was quite substantial, like a large pool of viscous tar splashed across a pristine white canvas, exuding a heart-palpitating, ominous aura... The last time Xia Lun came to the Spirit Realm, he must have been on the other side of the Divine Tree of Life, which was why he hadn't noticed this patch of blight.
A tangible darkness coiled and writhed above it, attempting to erode the branches of the Divine Tree of Life. However, the rich vitality surrounding it suppressed the darkness, confining those auras to this spot and preventing them from spreading.
Aina also followed Sletta's gaze, her beautiful brows furrowing imperceptibly.
Hmm, it is indeed the aura of the Natural Holy Anthem. If delayed any longer, this area will be completely under its control... It could even evolve into a temporary vessel for that guy, allowing its will to forcibly descend.
Isn't that really bad? Xia Lun gently wrapped his arm around Aina's shoulder. An evil god having the ability to descend here at any time...
Heh, it wouldn't dare. Aina smiled disdainfully, lifting her chin with a hint of pride and shooting Xia Lun a somewhat domineering glance. This is my territory.
Xia Lun patted Aina's head, his palm gently stroking her soft hair. Darling, you are truly amazing.
The Demon Lord's mood seemed to improve a little.
There's no time like the present. Since you're here, I might as well help you get rid of those things right now, Aina said casually, looking back at Sletta.
Of course. It is entirely up to your decision, Lady Aina. Sletta bowed slightly, showing not a single flaw, seemingly hiding all her intentions beneath that impeccable elegance.
Aren't you going to prepare first? Xia Lun scratched the palm of Aina's hand and looked at the murky patch above, asking softly, What do you plan to do?
That massive patch up there... felt like it would be quite troublesome to deal with. Xia Lun felt that with his strength, he might also be able to handle that filth, but it would probably take a lot of time.
Prepare what? You underestimate me too much, Xia Lun.
Aina reached out a hand toward the sky, and then, closed her five fingers.
Buzz—
The entire Spirit Realm fell into a strange tremor.
Xia Lun watched with his own eyes as everything above began to distort. An invisible, immense force caused the filth polluting the Divine Tree, along with that very branch of the tree, to instantly collapse and compress into a round bead, which ultimately landed in Aina's hand.
Xia Lun stared blankly for a moment at the longan-sized bead in Aina's hand.
Aina casually stored the bead away.
This isn't suitable for you, Xia Lun. Next time, I'll prepare a more fitting gift for you. Aina also scratched the palm of Xia Lun's hand in return.
The seemingly eternal expression on Sletta's face finally underwent some changes—astonishment, shock... but they were quickly concealed by Sletta, turning into respect. Lady Aina, thank you for your intervention.
Mhm. Let the Divine Tree decide the candidate for the next queen again. We'll play for a few more days, and then we're taking Liyana with us, Aina said flatly, her tone leaving no room for disobedience.
As you command, Lady Aina. Sletta bowed deeply.
Let's go back then, Xia Lun.
Xia Lun only felt his vision spin, and then his consciousness returned to reality.
Xia Lun slowly opened his eyes. Before him were familiar sights and a familiar person.
Aina lay against his chest, slowly lifting her head. Her silver hair cascaded down, and her crimson pupils met Xia Lun's gaze, containing an indescribable tenderness.
Aina must have already been in the mood earlier... but Sletta's sudden appearance made her worry about Xia Lun's safety, prompting her to enter the Spirit Realm to protect him.
Aina did not speak. Xia Lun reached out and caressed her cheek.
Xia Lun asked softly, Shall we continue?
Mhm...
't think I'm that capable, I'm just trying my best to stay alive. I've been kind all my life, never did anything bad, yet worldly suffering spared me not one bit. The human world is a nice place, but I won't come back in my next life. A kind young man, who wanted to just get by singing, but through repeated deceits and betrayals, has gone down an irredeemable path.
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
with countless casualties. As a top-tier gamer, Liu Xuan volunteered to join the fight, intending to dominate with his skills, but instead he obtained the hidden class: [Pacifist]. Unable to attack. Unable to use active skills. Fortunately, with each level gained, he acquired a new passive skill. And so, armed with a body full of passives, Liu Xuan slaughtered his way through the battlefield of ten thousand races! [You attacked Liu Xuan] [You gained the debuffs: 'Poison', 'Fear', 'Burning', 'Bleeding', 'Freeze', 'Silence', etc.] [Your attack speed has been reduced by 99%] [Your armor and magic resistance have been reduced by 99%] Warriors of the Ten Thousand Races: How the hell am I supposed to fight this?!
