Ninika eagerly handed over paper and a pen. Xia Lun's expression shifted from surprise to realization, then finally to resignation.
He'd been recognized.
After all, they had discussed those matters right in front of Ninika... and when he gave his name, it wasn’t strange for his identity to be exposed.
Still, Ninika was the first person who truly believed he was the Hero.
Seeing Xia Lun hesitate, Ninika reminded him, "You promised to help, Lord Xia Lun."
Under Ninika’s expectant gaze, Xia Lun carefully inspected the paper, ensuring it wasn’t some demonic contract, before finally signing his name.
"Wonderful!" Ninika cheered, carefully storing Xia Lun’s autograph before exclaiming, "Hero, you’re my idol—no, wait, I’m your fan! I grew up hearing stories about you!"
Xia Lun suddenly noticed that the books on Ninika’s shelves weren’t ancient tomes but rather biographies of the Hero...
Xia Lun coughed. "You’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not the Hero."
Ninika: "The Hero in my heart would never lie."
Xia Lun: "..."
He instinctively averted his gaze.
"You are the Hero!" Ninika pointed at him excitedly, catching his evasive glance.
Aina gently tapped Xia Lun’s finger, a faint spiritual glow flickering in her palm—clearly asking if she should erase Ninika’s memories.
Xia Lun shook his head slightly and pressed Aina’s hand down.
Ninika: "Lord Hero... I never expected you to come to such a small place. What brings you here?"
Xia Lun: "Just passing through."
Ninika: "Lord Hero, it’s incredible that you’re still alive. Aren’t you human?"
Xia Lun: "I’d rather not say."
Ninika: "Lord Hero..."
Now fully embodying the role of an adoring fan, Ninika chattered away like an excited child. Xia Lun remained unfazed—he was used to this kind of attention.
Then Ninika turned to Aina.
If Xia Lun was the Hero, then this woman’s identity was obvious.
"You must be Aina, the mage from the Hero’s party, right? I heard you’re the Hero’s wife..."
Xia Lun’s lips parted slightly.
This girl had even guessed Aina’s identity—she wasn’t just an ordinary fan. She was a devoted fan.
Ninika retrieved the signed paper and pen again. "Could you give me your autograph too?"
Given Aina’s personality, she wouldn’t indulge in such trivialities, nor would she spare Ninika’s feelings... Xia Lun mused silently.
"No. Pointless," Aina said flatly.
Just as Xia Lun expected.
"Eh? Really? That’s such a shame." Ninika sighed. "I was hoping you’d sign next to Lord Hero’s name and draw a little heart between them..."
"Give me the pen," Aina extended her hand.
Ninika beamed and handed over the quill.
She actually managed to sway Aina? This girl’s impressive... Xia Lun shot Ninika a surprised glance.
Ninika then offered another quill dipped in pink watercolor. Aina took it and meticulously colored the tiny heart between the two names pink.
"Thank you so much, Lady Aina! I’ll treasure this forever!"
"Just a small favor." Aina gave a satisfied hum, as if she’d accomplished something meaningful.
Xia Lun suppressed a smile. Aina was adorable when she indulged in these childish moments...
"Hehehe..." Ninika hugged the autographs to her chest, giggling to herself.
"Aina, do you have a way to resolve Nameless Village’s situation?" Xia Lun asked his wife.
He thought that since Aina had solved Mida’s problem, she might also be able to break the village’s curse.
"Killing the Fabricated Truth would solve it," Aina said coolly. "But that thing is hiding far away now—it doesn’t dare show itself anymore. And I can’t leave this world to hunt it down."
"What about Mida—"
"Mida’s issue wasn’t truly resolved either." Aina shook her head. "I was merely her guardian, protecting her during the most dangerous period of her childhood. Now that she’s grown, the Fabricated Truth’s curse no longer threatens her."
Xia Lun clicked his tongue. Asking Aina to shield the entire village indefinitely was unrealistic.
They could never return to normal lives.
"You don’t need to worry so much about us, Lord Hero," Ninika said softly. "Honestly, the village isn’t so bad. It’s peaceful, everyone gets along... There’s no conflict, no schemes. Children born here have never even seen weapons."
Now that he thought about it, this place really was a hidden paradise.
Xia Lun nodded and said no more.
"Besides, I sneak out sometimes to buy the latest Hero biographies." Ninika sounded proud. "As long as no one catches me, it doesn’t affect my next reformation."
"You can leave?"
Ninika nodded. "Yes, it’s easy for us. Only outsiders have trouble entering."
Xia Lun stroked his chin.
He must have used his Eyes of Insight to reinforce his perception of the village, which was how he’d brought Liyana and the others inside.
They probably hadn’t noticed the village’s strangeness yet—otherwise, they might’ve been thrown into the lake like he had been.
"By the way, what’s the Village Spirit?"
"It’s the sentience born from the magic barrier enveloping Nameless Village over time," Ninika explained. "The barrier was left by our ancestors to repel outsiders, allowing us descendants of the cursed dragonblood to survive in this secluded corner of the world..."
She stretched, having not spoken this much in ages.
"Outside of here, only the Goddess Church knows we exist... We have an agreement with them. They send nuns periodically to act as anchors, maintaining our existence. But only the Church’s higher-ups know about this." Ninika added, "Ms. Landa is a wonderful person, staying here for so long... Most nuns can’t endure more than a few years."
"Miss Lessa might take her place," Xia Lun remarked offhandedly.
Ninika tilted her head. "Miss Lessa? Who’s that?"
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
ions, keeping it grounded and realistic】 After quitting his job, office worker Su Yang accidentally binds with the "Enjoy Life System." As the name suggests, simply by indulging in life's pleasures, he can earn random rewards from the system—no need to spend money on beautiful women or grovel before anyone. Just enjoy, and the money follows, making it all about effortless fun. The system comes with a scanning feature, allowing him to establish a favorability bond with women rated 85 points or above. Every 20-point increase in favorability unlocks additional rewards. After suffering through over twenty years of hardship, Su Yang trembles with excitement, his dull eyes suddenly gleaming with newfound hope. "Enjoy life? How hard could that be?"
y came from. The chests contained supplies, currency, class-change scrolls, skills, talents… and even godhood! The laws of the world were completely rewritten. This became a world where everyone gambled with their fate! Some people, despite having nothing, opened a divine artifact and rose to the top, eventually ruling the world. Others went bankrupt, opened nothing but worthless junk, and leaped from skyscrapers in despair. Lin Ye arrived in this world from another reality, utterly bewildered. “What is going on? Why is everyone a gambling addict?!” “Opening chests? No way. I refuse to gamble. I’ll start with myself!” Until— On his first chest, he obtained a Mythic Talent: Void Incarnation! He could become completely intangible, pass through all things, and reduce everything to nothingness! … On his fiftieth chest, he obtained a Mythic Weapon: Blade of Karma! With a single slash, karma shattered, twisting the universe and overturning the myriad phenomena of creation! … On his ninety-ninth chest, he obtained a Mythic Divine Treasure: Primordial Purple Energy! It could split open the heavens and earth, create all things, and evolve countless worlds with a single thought! Lin Ye: “Now that I think about it… shouldn’t someone have told me that every chest is guaranteed to contain something Mythic?!”
nto another world, I bought a slave for the first time, never expecting the silver wolf girl to be so cute... Lin Feng: I know it's cold, but you don't have to sneak into my bed! Yuna: Just sharing body warmth, if you dare do anything naughty, I'll definitely...
