Are You Distorted

Wang Yanran didn’t seem the least bit surprised by Ye Yue’s pair of crimson wings—in fact, she appeared almost accustomed to them.

“Did you distort reality again?” Ye Chuan glanced at his younger sister, suspecting she had altered perceptions.

“Not this time,” Ye Yue blinked innocently, because she genuinely hadn’t.

Really hadn’t.

And Wang Yanran was clearly already used to it.

After all, staying by Ye Chuan’s side—a man who defied all logic—meant she’d seen everything short of ghosts.

Wait, no, she’d seen ghosts too. So, maybe just deities were left?

Hold on, had she seen deities as well?

At this point, the young heiress was completely numb to it all. If Ye Chuan could casually pull a spaceship out of thin air, what was so strange about a little girl sprouting wings?

“Let’s go, then.”

Both Ye Chuan and Ye Yue moved at blinding speed, scooping up Wang Yanran as they flew in the direction she indicated.

Technically, Wang Yanran was strong enough to manage short bursts of flight herself, but she hadn’t learned sword-riding techniques and couldn’t levitate purely through raw power like Ye Chuan.

From afar, Ye Chuan and Ye Yue spotted the new purple rift, surrounded by a sea of monsters.

Not only that, but numerous super martial artists were already hunting the creatures. When the trio landed—despite having flown in—no one batted an eye.

“This time, it’s…” Ye Yue noticed Ye Chuan’s gaze and gave a small, obedient nod, her ash-white hair swaying slightly.

“Not bad,” Ye Chuan ruffled her hair. If this was the effect of altered perceptions, staying low-key wasn’t a bad thing.

Though messing with common sense…

“Kinda feels like an overpowered ability, doesn’t it?” Ye Chuan muttered. Pity he hadn’t inherited it—all he got was a lousy cognitive pollution power.

“This is the place. Initial surveys suggest the other side is a plain teeming with more monsters,” Wang Yanran explained, adding that the rift was too new for thorough exploration.

“Why not seal it?” Ye Chuan asked.

“No. Right now, super martial artists rely on the Super Martial Alliance for currency and resources—whether through auctions or material buybacks. Letting guilds and independents explore the rifts reduces the Alliance’s losses,” Wang Yanran replied.

Cannon fodder?

Not necessarily a bad thing, but clearly, playing middleman worked in the Alliance’s favor.

“Even if the official Alliance regulates monster material trades, black markets are inevitable, right?” Ye Chuan pressed.

“Yes, but there’s no stopping that,” Wang Yanran conceded.

Ye Chuan didn’t care much. As long as Wang Yanran managed the Alliance and their company, he was happy to just collect the profits.

“There’s one more thing…” Wang Yanran hesitated.

“What?”

“Remember the ‘Liberators’ I mentioned before?”

“Rain?”

“No.” Seeing his blank look, she sighed and re-explained. “That cult believes the rifts are divine punishment, that monsters are envoys sent to purify the world.”

“Oh, right.” Ye Chuan vaguely recalled a Super Martial Alliance escort mentioning it once, and Wang Yanran had brought it up in passing.

But for a group so laughably insignificant, he didn’t get the concern. “And?”

“Their ranks are swelling. They’ve recruited powerful super martial artists, attacking lone fighters and abducting gifted children,” Wang Yanran said.

“How the hell does a clown show like that gain traction?” Ye Chuan arched a brow. “Alliance not cracking down?”

“We’ve raided a few hideouts, but they’re slippery,” Wang Yanran admitted sheepishly. The Alliance had the muscle, but chasing shadows was another matter.

“You want me to root them out?” Ye Chuan guessed.

“If you could find leads, yes.”

Ye Chuan exhaled. “I’d hate for something this trivial to need my attention.”

No overtime. Ever.

“…” Wang Yanran immediately bowed her head. “Sorry, Ye Chuan.”

“Don’t be. We’re friends.” If she was struggling, he’d help—he just didn’t want his time wasted on petty nuisances.

Pulling a vial from his spatial backpack, he tossed it to her.

[Item: Truth Serum

Effects: Forces complete honesty for 10 minutes after consumption.]

A trinket looted from Ke Ning. Ye Chuan had several, though at his current power level, mind-reading made it redundant.

“Use this on anyone you capture.”

“Got it.” After a quick inspection, she pocketed it.

“Now, business.” Ye Chuan’s focus shifted to the monsters. Just as he prepared to strike, a voice interrupted.

“Hey, you three! Super martial artists?”

Turning, he saw three men and a woman approaching in sleek gear.

“We’ve spotted a high-tier monster. Want to team up? We’ll cut you in on the rewards,” the leader offered, extending a hand.

“High-tier?” Under Ye Chuan’s spiritual scan, the strongest thing here was barely Foundation-level.

“Yeah. You made it this far, so you’re no rookies. Partners?”

“Pass.” Ye Chuan waved dismissively.

“We can sweeten the deal—” The man persisted, his gaze lingering on Wang Yanran.

“What’s special about this monster?” she asked.

“It’s not in the Alliance’s bestiary!” he blurted.

“Unrecorded?” That piqued her interest. She turned to Ye Chuan and Ye Yue. “Should we check it out?”

“Whatever.” Ye Chuan studied the man for a beat before smirking. “Lead the way.”

“Great!”

The group took a detour down a secluded path.

“An unrecorded monster…” Wang Yanran mused. “Think it’s because this rift’s unique?”

Ye Chuan chuckled. “Who knows?”

“Monsters are scary,” Ye Yue muttered.

After half an hour, just as Wang Yanran asked where the creature was, the leader spun around, drawing his weapon with a vicious grin.

“Miss Wang, fancy meeting you here.”

On cue, more figures emerged from the shadows, encircling the trio.

Ye Chuan and the others stared blankly.

Utterly unfazed.