The meeting had concluded.
Since Bai Jun still needed to discuss some details with the members of the Peace Faction, Gu Yan stayed behind for the time being. Leaning against the wall, he mentally sorted through the key points from the strategy meeting.
First.
The transformation of the Peach Blossom Society Stronghold hadn’t happened overnight.
The changes had been gradual, beginning precisely after last night’s whispered wish to the little demon.
Second, due to the sudden surge in danger level, the Martial Arts Department had officially designated the Peach Blossom Society Stronghold as—the Fifth Forbidden Zone.
Previously, there had only been four Forbidden Zones in the world.
Now, this so-called ancient ruin had become the fifth!
Third, the exploration date had been pushed to the day after tomorrow, and the division of teams was straightforward—split into four factions:
The Peace Faction, the Conservative Faction, the Radical Faction, and the Coexistence Faction.
Bai Jun had been blunt during the meeting.
This Fifth Forbidden Zone was newly emerged, and they, as martial artists, were its first explorers.
The danger level was unknown, and their lives could be at risk at any moment.
Because of this, each of them had been given a wristband capable of briefly masking their aura.
In moments of peril, it could conceal their presence for ten minutes—potentially a lifesaver.
Fourth, Gu Yan glanced ahead at a certain silver-haired troublemaker currently being scolded in hushed tones by Bai Jun.
From Bai Jun, he’d learned that the Peace Faction itself was unstable lately.
Due to Lin Yinyin’s childish mindset and youthful appearance, many sought to replace her as leader.
The faction had split into two groups.
One supported Bai Jun taking over Lin Yinyin’s position as head of the Peace Faction.
The other backed a different candidate.
Either way, both sides wanted Lin Yinyin to step down.
Gu Yan, having read the original novel, gave a slight nod.
This was mostly in line with the source material—Bai Jun, due to an incident in the past, had no desire to lead the Peace Faction.
In truth, this strategy meeting had been orchestrated by Bai Jun behind the scenes.
The purpose of bringing Lin Yinyin here was simple: to help her establish authority.
Of course...
That had been the plan. Unfortunately...
Gu Yan recalled Lin Yinyin’s tearful tantrum at the start of the meeting.
His lips curled slightly, and inwardly, he let out a dark chuckle. Tsk tsk, now the original plot is bound to resurface soon...
The fracture of the Martial Arts Department, the infighting between factions...
Then...
Let’s see—should I exploit the chaos myself, or pick a puppet to manipulate...?
Just as Gu Yan was lost in thought—
“Hmph, you seem quite pleased with yourself.”
“Was chatting with that old woman really so enjoyable?”
A voice that made Gu Yan freeze cut through his musings.
He turned his head.
There, leaning against the wall beside him with arms crossed, was a coldly elegant woman who bore a striking resemblance to his beloved Qingqiu.
Her face was near flawless—skin as pristine as freshly fallen snow, eyes deep and composed like the brightest stars in the night sky, lips pale and unadorned.
Her hair, a rich black, was simply tied back, each strand exuding a frosty allure that mirrored her aloof demeanor.
Tall and graceful, every movement carried an effortless poise.
This person was...
“Leng Bingning?”
Gu Yan blinked, then uttered the name.
Why is Leng Qingqiu’s sister, Leng Bingning, here? Did she infiltrate too?
Is she also joining the expedition to the Fifth Forbidden Zone?
Seeing Gu Yan recognize her disguise as Leng Bingning, Leng Qingqiu felt a flicker of pride in her acting skills.
See, Xiao Leng? When I step in, even Gu Yan can’t spot a flaw!
[...How did you do your eyes?]
“Colored contacts.”
[...]
Xiao Leng went silent.
Leng Qingqiu had no intention of letting Gu Yan off the hook so easily. With a light chuckle, she said, “Yes, it’s me. It’s been a while since we last met.”
“You’ve changed quite a bit since then—especially in matters of the heart...”
“I couldn’t help but notice how warmly you were talking with that old woman.”
“If my... sister found out, do you know what would happen?”
She deliberately glanced toward Lin Yinyin, who was still being lectured by Bai Jun.
Old woman...?
Gu Yan followed “Leng Bingning’s” gaze.
Only when he saw Lin Yinyin, now deprived of her lollipop, did he realize—
Ah, so the earlier stare that made me break out in a cold sweat was hers?
Once he recognized her identity, the meaning behind her words clicked.
Wait... is this like getting caught by the in-laws in a compromising situation?
No, no—it’s not like that! Everything I do has a reason! A justification!
With a wry smile, Gu Yan shook his head. “My dear sister-in-law, you’ve got me all wrong.”
“My feelings for Qingqiu are as steadfast as the heavens—simply put, we’re rock-solid.”
“As for Lin Yinyin, that ancient gremlin...”
Here, Gu Yan sighed and looked at Leng Bingning—his sister-in-law, Qingqiu’s elder sister. “Sis, you know how it is for a rookie like me in the workplace.”
“I have to butter up the higher-ups. If I don’t, they’ll make my life miserable. And if that happens, my career here is over before it even starts.”
Leng Qingqiu’s lips twitched upward, but she scoffed. “Cut the nonsense. As the young master of the Gu Family, do you really need this job at the Martial Arts Department?”
“Why not just go back and inherit the family fortune?”
Gu Yan frowned slightly.
Why does that scoff sound so familiar?
If I didn’t know you were Qingqiu’s sister, I’d swear she was standing right in front of me.
Pushing aside the odd feeling, he explained, “Because I need to prove myself.”
“Prove yourself?” Leng Qingqiu was taken aback. Prove what?
“Exactly. I have to shed the title of ‘Gu Family’s young master.’”
Gu Yan’s expression turned melancholic. “Whenever people talk about me, all they see is the Gu heir—wealthy, privileged.”
“But Qingqiu is a genius, a world-class prodigy. I have to work hard to be worthy of her.”
His voice grew resolute. “So I’ll carve my own path in this world!”
“Right here, in the Martial Arts Department, I’ll prove my worth!”
“When we explore the Forbidden Zone, I won’t back down!”
] This is a dark fantasy-themed dating simulation game. The main gameplay involves containing various monster girls and investigating the truth of a world shrouded in mist alongside your companions. However, due to his love for the dark and bizarre atmosphere, Luo Wei ended up turning a dating game into a detective mystery game. Women? Women only slow down his quickdraw! To Luo Wei, the female leads in the game are more like tools to perfectly clear levels and squeeze out rewards. For Luo Wei, flirting with every girl he meets and then discarding them is standard procedure. Worried about characters losing affection points? No need. With his maxed-out charm stat, Luo Wei is practically a "human incubus." A little psychological manipulation and those points come right back. It's a bit scummy, but the paper cutout heroines in the game won't actually come at him with real cleavers. However... Luo Wei has transmigrated. He's accidentally entered the second playthrough of this game. His past actions have caused all the girls to transform into terrifying yanderes. Due to the game's setting, most of the heroines he once contained are "troubled girls." Obsessive, twisted, mentally unstable, all aggressive yanderes... The type who will kill you if they can't have you... Luo Wei wants to cry but has no tears left. "I really just want to survive..." In short, this is a story of battling wits and engaging in a love-hate relationship with yanderes.
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)
] [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!"
n Our Village Many years later, Xiushui Village had transformed from a remote, impoverished hamlet into the renowned and flourishing Xiushui City of the Shifang Continent. All of this, solely because it was the birthplace of the Shifang Continent's number one sect—the Lingxian Sect. This is the story of a group of village youths, family, and friends, building a sect and growing together. Lin Xiao: As the sect master, my days are filled with countless tasks. Cultivating really gets in the way of building the sect. System: Received. Understood. Arranging it immediately. [Ding—Congratulations, Host, on successfully activating the Auto-Cultivation Function] Lin Xiao: Oh no, we're out of spirit stones. System: Received. Understood. Arranging it immediately. [Ding—Sect Mission issued. Mission Reward: Spirit Stones xN] No one loves their host more profoundly than this System!
