Fu Yuanzhong's words further crushed Jiang Chu's self-confidence.
But the thought that even a graduate student couldn't understand it gave her a momentary sense of relief.
Might as well just coast along.
"How about it? Feeling less nervous now?" Fu Yuanzhong asked.
He could tell Jiang Chu was carrying a heavy psychological burden.
"Actually, us Taoists aren’t much different from ordinary people. In the past, my masters and ancestors once descended the mountain to defend this land, just like everyone else. In fact, you could say we’re even more integrated into this world than Buddhist monks."
During times of war, though they were Taoists, they didn’t shut themselves away in the mountains like the monks.
Fu Yuanzhong held deep admiration for those ancestors—some sects even sacrificed every last member.
"Not nervous anymore." Jiang Chu quickly shook her head. "What you mentioned—I actually came across a short video about it before. There was even a photo: riding a horse to slay enemies, dismounting to cultivate the Tao. Back then, I just felt a passing emotion, but now it feels genuinely moving."
Jiang Chu’s heartfelt sigh came from deep within.
"So we need to let more people know about Taoism," Fu Yuanzhong said, sitting upright, his eyes gleaming.
"Mhm." Jiang Chu nodded.
Meanwhile, Little Wei, who had been watching for a while, pulled her head back.
"The atmosphere seems pretty good, huh?" she said to Youyin.
"Even if it is, that doesn’t mean she’s developed feelings," Youyin half-doused Little Wei’s enthusiasm with cold water.
Little Wei: "..."
Sniffle, this is so hard.
She genuinely had no idea how to complete this mission.
Even though it seemed like she hadn’t done anything at all.
"Why are you so set on pairing them up?" Youyin glanced at Little Wei.
What kind of ancestor actively hopes for their descendant to marry so soon?
Besides, Jiang Chu had just suffered heartbreak—there was no way she’d develop feelings for another man so quickly.
Even if Fu Yuanzhong was a decent guy.
"I’m just digesting things rationally. After all, our own descendants should only be handed over to someone we approve of," Little Wei reasoned with flawless logic.
Youyin: "..."
Whatever. As long as Little Wei was happy.
Nothing else seemed particularly important anyway.
And it wasn’t like Little Wei was forcing their heads together, demanding they kiss.
If it ever reached that point, Youyin felt she’d have to call the police.
Time passed slowly, yet Fu Yuanzhong’s progress in studying the formation accelerated. He even made a trip up the mountain to reprint ancient Taoist texts, filling his thirty-square-meter study to the brim.
He even managed to lure Youyin over.
When Jiang Chu returned with melons, she saw Little Wei and Youyin leaning against the wall behind Fu Yuanzhong, eyes wide as they stared at the formation diagrams on the display screen.
The screen was something Fu Yuanzhong had specially bought.
Originally, he hadn’t needed one, but the two insisted on watching him draw formations. His 12.6-inch tablet wasn’t nearly big enough for both of them, so he had to connect an external display.
This way, Little Wei and the others could see everything clearly.
"Can this thing really suppress the Ghost King?" Little Wei eyed the chaotic formation with skepticism.
"In theory, yes. But I’ve never seen a formation like this before," Youyin observed intently.
"But we don’t have enough people. This formation requires several elders working together to activate it properly." Fu Yuanzhong frowned at the diagram, then turned to Little Wei.
"Logically speaking, with Jiang Xixi’s strength, she could instantly obliterate Xu Yichen."
Privately, Fu Yuanzhong didn’t want to rely on Jiang Xixi, which was why he’d dug up this ancient formation instead.
"Me? No way, I’m way too weak for that." Little Wei hastily waved her hands.
She did want to help, but she was terrified of being struck by lightning.
She was a certified weakling.
"Stop being modest," Fu Yuanzhong said, exasperated.
He genuinely didn’t understand why a ghost would bother with humility.
Besides, in theory, ghosts could strengthen themselves by absorbing the energy of their kind—yet Jiang Xixi didn’t seem the slightest bit interested.
But then again, if she were that kind of ghost, Youyin would never have allowed her to live with them in the first place.
"Si, if Fu Yuanzhong and Youyin were to take action against the male lead, they wouldn’t get struck by lightning, right?"
"They wouldn’t. They’re natives of this world," Si replied, puzzled. "Why do you ask?"
"I’m wondering if they can use the staff." Little Wei’s mind was full of mischief.
Si: "..."
"Give it up. That’s absolutely not happening."
Was she trying to exploit a loophole here?
Besides, how could the staff possibly be used by someone else?
As for Little Nailuo, that was different—she wasn’t human, and the staff didn’t obey her either. It just treated her like a little sister.
Meanwhile, Little Nailuo, who was playing games nearby, sneezed loudly.
"Si-jie, was Little Wei-jie just bad-mouthing me?" Little Nailuo rubbed her nose, her voice sweet and childish.
"Yep, she definitely was."
Little Wei: ???
Even if that were the case, did they have to slander her character right in front of her? Bullying Little Nailuo—was that something she’d do?
Ridiculous.
Meanwhile, Youyin was sizing Little Wei up with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Really? You can’t do it?" Youyin felt something was off.
Right.
There was something strange here.
If the Jiang Xixi from the original story had been as powerful as the one before her, there was no way she could’ve died at the hands of the male and female leads.
What was the discrepancy?
Youyin frowned. Could Jiang Xixi have been soul-transmigrated?
That was too far-fetched. Besides, Jiang Xixi was already a ghost—how could she have undergone soul transmigration like her?
"I really can’t. What’s with that look?" Little Wei raised an eyebrow at Youyin’s distracted expression.
Youyin was clearly preoccupied.
"Nothing. Just remembering something." Youyin shook her head, snapping out of it.
"Ancestors, stop researching. It’s time to eat," Jiang Chu called from the side.
"Oh, right. Coming." Youyin quickly stood and followed, pulling Jiang Chu along to cook.
Little Wei stared at Youyin’s retreating figure for a long moment before finally asking Si:
"Is she thinking about men?"
Little Wei’s thought process defied all logic.
Si: "..."
"You’re overthinking it."
Sometimes, Si really wanted to crack open Little Wei’s head to see what was inside. How could it be so bizarre?
"She is thinking about men. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have spaced out like that."
Si: "Yeah, sure. She’s thinking about you."
Little Wei paused, then suddenly covered her face. "That’s so embarrassing. I feel shy just hearing it."
"You’re about to get beaten up."
Little Wei huffed but ignored Si.
Women. Always the same.
Meanwhile, Fu Yuanzhong withdrew his gaze from outside and turned to Little Wei.
"Do you... have some unspeakable difficulty?"
Fu Yuanzhong studied her with a frown.
He could tell—Jiang Xixi really wanted to take down Xu Yichen.
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)
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
] [Lone Wolf, No Male Gaze] [Protagonist is pursued early on; extreme protagonist-stans, stay away!] The "Carnival Paradise" descends and slowly devours the real world in the form of a game. By chance, Zhu Yan awakens the talent [Roleplay], becoming one of the first beta players. He thought he could develop safely, but after clearing the first instance, he is branded by humanity as the chief culprit behind the game's spread—a traitorous villain. A villain? Who would ever... become one! He'll be the villain! From then on, Zhu Yan is not only a player but also a lackey for the Carnival Paradise. Between the straight path and the crooked path, he chooses the con. With his left hand, he dons the villain's mantle, staging scenes within instances, infuriating players who decry him as a despicable traitor, all while the game happily promotes him. With his right hand, he joins the non-human organization "Fangcun Mountain," which opposes the Carnival Paradise, transforming into a mysterious player who slaughters game bosses, earning cheers of "Long live the expert!" from fellow players. Gradually, Zhu Yan rises to become an S-rank human player in Fangcun Mountain's archives, while also being the Carnival Paradise's certified top game Boss. But when the final war erupts and both major factions place their hopes in him— Players tag his various aliases: "Experts, this offensive depends on you." The Carnival Paradise's supreme Boss throws an arm around his neck: "Bro, you're the iron, I'm the steel; you can't let me down again!"
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?
