Arrival at Phantom Star City

That evening.

Su Family Villa.

"Hmm?"

"Illusory Star City?"

Su Muwan lay with her head resting on Qin Luo's lap, tilting it slightly upward.

Her eyes were fixed intently on Qin Luo: "We're going there for a vacation??"

The phone in her hand was momentarily forgotten, the screen still silently playing a video of adorable kittens.

She clasped her hands over her stomach, one foot swaying gently back and forth.

Her blue shark slippers teetered precariously with each movement.

Hearing her question,

Qin Luo smiled faintly, idly running his fingers through Su Muwan's hair as he explained: "Before answering the young lady's question,"

"I'd like to ask first—do you have any idea how many factions are under your influence?"

Factions under her influence?

Su Muwan blinked.

That kind of thing...

"I didn’t have any in my past life, so why would I have them now?"

She replied with a proud grin.

Qin Luo's eye twitched. Why are you so smug about that?

Never mind.

Clearing his throat, Qin Luo continued: "At present, there are three major factions under your control that are actually useful."

"First, the Su Family and the martial artists from allied families."

"Second, the Imperial Foundation."

"Third, the Shadow Organization."

Su Muwan blinked again, only half-understanding. "I get the first two, but what’s this last one?"

"The Shadow Organization? Wasn’t that just a disposable villain group that showed up once?"

Qin Luo chuckled. "Remember what I did when I went out this morning?"

"I was establishing a proper Shadow Organization for you."

"It’s small in numbers for now, but it has plenty of high-level fighters, so it’s quite useful."

Su Muwan: ??

Hold on, I was just lazing around at home playing games today.

And you went and planted another landmine like this for me?

But...

Trusting Qin Luo implicitly, Su Muwan took a deep breath and asked: "Sooo, how does this relate to us going to Illusory Star City for vacation?"

"Young lady, you really don’t grasp the situation at all..."

Qin Luo sighed. "We’re not going there for a vacation."

"We’re going to take over the city."

Su Muwan: !!

Take over the city.

The city.

The...

"!!!"

Her shock was unending.

Qin Luo’s eye twitched again. So you seriously never considered this possibility?

The next moment—

"Qin Luo! How could you!"

Su Muwan grabbed his face with both hands, glaring at him as she shouted: "Just two days ago, I finished dealing with that ancient ruins mess!"

"And now, before I’ve even had time to rest, you’re dragging me into another troublesome mission!"

"Qin Luo!"

"I’m human too! I need breaks!"

Qin Luo froze.

Ah, right.

My stamina is maxed out, so I don’t feel tired.

But the young lady isn’t like that.

Continuous battles would definitely wear her down.

Maybe... I’ve been pushing too hard.

"Well then—"

Before he could speak,

Su Muwan cut in, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she looked at him expectantly: "So you see!"

"Can’t we just go to Illusory Star City and have fun for a few days before doing the serious stuff?"

"No—wait—"

She released Qin Luo, her expression turning serious. "Having fun is the serious stuff!"

"And taking over the city? That’s just a side quest!!"

Qin Luo: ?

Thump-thump~!

"Say it, say it~"

She kept butting her head against Qin Luo’s stomach: "If you don’t agree, I’ll keep headbutting you!!"

"Fine."

"Yay!"

Well, how could I ever refuse such an adorable young lady?

......

......

A day later.

Illusory Star City was located in the central-southern region of the Eastern Nation.

Its uniqueness lay in the seamless blend of urban prosperity and untouched primal forests.

The city center was a dense cluster of skyscrapers, modern towers piercing the clouds.

The streets bustled with traffic, crowds of pedestrians, and a vibrant commercial atmosphere.

But at the city’s edge stretched an expansive, untamed forest—locally known as the "Mirage Woods."

Within it grew all manner of bizarre flora.

Some plants emitted mystical fragrances,

and there were even merchants who specialized in buying these rare flowers.

Rumors claimed their scents could ease fatigue and enhance spiritual energy.

The woods were also crisscrossed by crystal-clear streams, eventually merging into a single "Spirit River" that flowed through the city.

Because of this, it wasn’t uncommon to see boats suddenly appearing in the city’s central waterways.

Of course,

while the Mirage Woods were wondrous, their depths were strictly off-limits to locals.

A dense, mystical fog shrouded the forest’s heart, concealing powerful and dangerous creatures.

Especially after the spiritual energy resurgence, the safe zones within the woods had drastically shrunk.

There were even eyewitness accounts of massive, monstrous boars lurking within.

Not only that, the forest was riddled with natural spiritual traps.

Like the Mist Marsh—step into it, and you’d be lost in endless illusions.

Or the Spirit Vine Labyrinth, where ensnaring tendrils could trap intruders indefinitely.

Under such circumstances, even highly skilled martial artists needed to form teams before venturing inside.

This was why the local branch of the Martial Arts Alliance was so unique.

They had a dedicated Warrior Hall,

where missions were posted and teams were formed for forest expeditions.

......

......

Splash-splash~~

On a boat gliding toward the city center—

"Wow! Luo Luo, look at the water!"

Su Muwan rushed to the railing, gripping it tightly as she leaned forward, eyes locked on the colorful fish darting below. "Luo Luo, come quick! There are so many fish down there! And they’re all rainbow-colored!"

"But why aren’t there any little sharks?"

Qin Luo walked up beside her with an amused shrug. "Probably because the city doesn’t allow sharks."

"Hmph, is that so?"

Su Muwan turned around, smirking triumphantly at Qin Luo. "Well then, on the day I conquer this city—"

"I’ll fill Illusory Star City with sharks!!"

Clap-clap-clap.

Qin Luo applauded. "Ooooh, such determination, young lady."

"Hmph!"

She gave a haughty sniff before turning back to watch the fish.

Qin Luo stood quietly beside her,

his gaze lingering on Su Muwan.

Today, she wore a creamy-white tweed short coat over a light pink high-neck cashmere sweater.

Her lower half was clad in a deep brown leather pleated skirt, cinched with a brown belt.

On her feet were sleek black ankle boots.

Her silky hair fluttered in the breeze.

Unable to resist, Qin Luo reached out and gently pressed down on the khaki beret atop her head, smiling. "Young lady."

"Hm?"

She tilted her head up in confusion.

"As adorable as ever."

Su Muwan: ?! ⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄

She immediately turned away, yanking the beret down firmly. "Hmph... as if I needed you to say that!"