Although everyone had long been prepared, witnessing a comrade fall before their eyes was a grief no one could instantly shake off. Even the usually stern female captain remained silent for a long time.
Standing alone at the edge of a high-rise, she gazed down at the increasingly dilapidated city, lost in thought.
It wasn’t until a young female team member approached, speaking with reverence as she reported the situation.
"Captain."
"This operation has successfully eliminated all wraiths. Our squad lost one member and has another severely injured."
The beautiful captain gave a slight nod.
When she turned around, her face had regained its usual resolute expression.
"Continue monitoring the surroundings—not a single moment of laxity is allowed. After confirming no wraiths remain, follow protocol to report progress to headquarters and arrange compensation for the fallen and treatment for the wounded!"
"Additionally."
"Starting today, a curfew will be enforced here. Wraiths roam at night—no one is permitted to leave their homes without authorization!"
The surviving team members immediately saluted in acknowledgment.
"Yes, Captain!"
Behind her, the female team member pulled out a communication device, swiftly transmitting photos from the scene.
Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.
After enduring repeated losses, the team had grown more composed, suppressing personal emotions in favor of duty, prioritizing the protection of civilians above all else.
Only when they took off their uniforms did they become themselves again.
But clad in these black uniforms, they were the city’s guardians—the last line of defense for countless households, never permitted to retreat even a single step.
Yet.
The situation seemed to be worsening.
Tonight, another comrade had fallen, and only by the skin of their teeth had they managed to secure a sliver of peace.
What would tomorrow bring?
How much longer could they hold out in the future?
A wave of unease crept into the beautiful captain’s heart as she stared blankly at the city’s nightscape.
Suddenly!
A figure caught her eye!
The captain froze, her gaze sharpening as she focused intently.
There was indeed a man strolling down the long street, dressed plainly, carrying two bags in his hands, looking utterly carefree and nonchalant.
Frowning deeply, the captain immediately sprang into action!
Her teammate, though unaware of what had happened, hurried after her.
By the time they reached the street,
the young man hadn’t gone far. He appeared to be just an ordinary citizen, his leisurely pace only adding to their exasperation.
The captain strode forward, calling out to him.
"Excuse me."
Wu Tao turned around in confusion, his appearance entirely unremarkable.
"What’s up?"
That single question.
Nearly made the female teammate’s temper flare up!
What’s up?!
While they were risking their lives to protect civilians, this guy couldn’t even care less about his own, wandering around at night like it was nothing—did he have no respect for the fallen warriors?
Compared to her fiery temper, the captain remained far more composed.
Taking a deep breath, she fixed him with a stern gaze.
"It’s too dangerous at night. A curfew will soon be enforced—you should avoid going out alone after dark. Understood?"
Wu Tao only grew more puzzled.
He hadn’t sensed even the slightest hint of danger, not a one-in-a-million chance. After racking his brain, he couldn’t figure out what he’d done wrong.
"What danger?"
"I don’t feel anything threatening at all..."
Only when the topic of staying indoors came up did Wu Tao’s expression turn resolute.
"Not going out isn’t an option."
"If I don’t come out to buy things, that’s when things get dangerous!"
He quickly glanced at the bags in his hands, relieved to see the talisman paper still intact.
His nonsensical words and actions made the two women’s hearts sink.
Even the captain couldn’t help but frown.
This man was truly ungrateful—she had come to warn him personally, yet it made no difference. He clearly had no grasp of the situation and might end up in trouble.
But clad in her black uniform, the captain couldn’t simply ignore him. She couldn’t let a civilian die on the streets if she could prevent it.
After studying him for a moment, she restrained her tone and asked,
"Sir, where do you live?"
"If it’s no trouble, we can escort you home."
Wu Tao was taken aback—were people really this kind nowadays?
Had the world become so warm and bright?
After sizing them up,
seeing the two women exuding an air of righteousness and posing no threat, he cheerfully agreed.
"Sure."
With a tilt of his chin, he gestured ahead.
"My place is just up there. Thanks."
The two women nodded and accompanied Wu Tao home.
At first,
they remained vigilant, scanning their surroundings at all times.
But seeing Wu Tao’s utterly relaxed demeanor, the female teammate couldn’t help but mutter under her breath.
What kind of nerves did this guy have, strolling around at midnight without a care in the world, treating his own life like a joke?
What a character.
The more she observed his laid-back attitude, the more she felt like she was witnessing something extraordinary.
Leaning closer to the captain, she whispered,
"Boss, do you think this guy might have a screw loose? Like, he doesn’t even understand the concept of death?"
The captain shot her a glare but didn’t respond.
The teammate awkwardly stuck out her tongue and lowered her voice further.
"Uh..."
"He doesn’t seem mentally challenged, though."
"But tonight’s the Blood Moon—every citizen was notified in advance. Anyone with half a brain knows to stay hidden. How does he dare to wander around like this? Is he not afraid to die?"
Seemingly irritated by the questions,
the captain shot her another look and replied coldly,
"Don’t overthink it. Since we’ve encountered him, we’ll just take him home. That’s our duty fulfilled."
The teammate nodded in admiration.
"Yes, Boss!"
Indeed.
As the captain said, whenever they encountered civilians, they had to fulfill their duty to protect them. Greater power came with greater responsibility—this was the ethos of a true Sky Cultivator!
Perhaps it was this very principle that allowed the captain to achieve perfection, with not a single failed mission to her name.
Just as the teammate was lost in admiration,
suddenly!
Several figures flashed across the rooftops on either side!
Even if only for a split second, it was impossible for people like them to miss it!
The captain halted abruptly.
The teammate also tensed, frantically looking around!
What she saw next made her face pale in horror.
These wraiths weren’t like the usual ethereal ones—instead, they bore a distinct crimson hue!
This unnatural color signified slaughter.
It meant these wraiths had taken human lives—at least ten or more—to manifest such an aberration. These wraiths weren’t just vicious; they were far more powerful!
Almost the instant she recognized the wraiths’ eerie glow,
the captain and her teammate pressed back-to-back, their expressions grave!
"Find a corner and stay out of sight!"
The captain shouted at Wu Tao.
Facing wraiths like these, she had no choice but to take them seriously.
Slowly drawing the sword at her waist, her eyes burned with killing intent!
The teammate also braced herself, sweat nearly soaking her gloves before the fight had even begun!
The next moment,
an aura of death erupted as they threw themselves into battle at full strength!
Though outnumbered, the captain’s extraordinary combat prowess and their seamless teamwork allowed them to hold their own against four or five crimson wraiths!
The fierce battle raged for several minutes, leaving the long street in ruins!
Fortunately, they managed to barely eliminate the bloodthirsty fiends!
As they caught their breath and turned to call for Wu Tao, they realized the young man was nowhere to be seen.
The two men's expressions changed instantly. Without a moment's rest, they gasped for breath and sprinted forward, scouring the entire street—yet the young man's figure was nowhere to be found.
As dawn approached, they reluctantly gave up the chase.
"Captain, he's probably..."

ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"

Cheng's father told him he was getting remarried—to a wealthy woman. Cao Cheng realized his time had finally come: he was about to become a second-generation rich kid. Sure, it might be a watered-down version, but hey, at least he'd have status now, right? The wealthy woman also had four daughters!! Which meant, starting today, Cao Cheng gained four stunning older sisters?? But that wasn't even the whole story... "My name is Cao Cheng—'Cheng' as in 'honest, smooth-talking gentleman'!"

esick Sect? Well, at least it's considered a respectable orthodox sect. Wait a minute— What kind of vibe are you all giving off? Shouldn’t this be a love-struck, romance-obsessed sect? Why does everyone here sound more like demonic cultivators? "Master, today he’s getting married. This disciple wishes to descend the mountain and crash the wedding, then toy with him to death right in front of his wife..." "Elder, I only got into your sect through connections, so why won’t you teach me anything?" "Because I also became an elder through connections." Thankfully, Su Ji was just an outer sect labor disciple. Surely, nothing too crazy would— "Junior Brother, you’ve broken through to Qi Refining. Once you sever your useless spiritual root, you can officially become an outer sect disciple." "The Great Dao is merciless. Don’t let a worthless spiritual root waste your essence and spirit, hindering your cultivation." Is this really the Lovesick Sect? ... Three years later, Su Ji sat in the seat of the Lovesick Sect’s sect master, sighing with emotion. His rise to this position all started when his junior sister adamantly insisted on preserving his "spiritual root." "Mmm... Senior Brother, what’s our relationship now?" "Stop talking. Keep going." "By the way, that newly promoted top-tier sect—didn’t they come to buy our Love Beans?" "One top-grade spirit stone per Love Bean—is that really so expensive?" "I suspect they’ve eaten too many Love Beans." "Now they’re lovesick." Well, this really is the Lovesick Sect after all.

reezy rom-com) Good news: Jiang Liu is quite the ladies' man. Bad news: He’s lost his memory. Lying in a hospital bed, Jiang Liu listens to a parade of goddesses spouting "absurd claims," feeling like the world is one giant game of Werewolf. "Jiang Liu, I’m your first love." "Jiang Liu, you’re my boyfriend—she’s your ex." "Jiang Liu, we’re close friends who’ve shared a bed, remember?" "Jiang Liu, I want to have your baby." The now-lucid Jiang Liu is convinced this must be some elaborate scam... until someone drops the bombshell: "The day before you lost your memory, you confessed your feelings—and got into a relationship." Jiang Liu is utterly baffled. So... who the hell is his actual girlfriend?! ... Before recovering his memories, Jiang Liu must navigate this minefield of lies and sincerity, fighting to protect himself from these women’s schemes. But things spiral even further out of control as more people show up at his doorstep—each with increasingly unhinged antics. On the bright side, the memories he lost due to overwhelming trauma seem to be resurfacing. Great news, right? So why are they all panicking now?