The operation begins, is everything going according to your plan

Time passed slowly.

Early next month.

"Warrior Shop selling new spirit pets! Adorable and petable!! Come take a look!"

"Warrior Roast Chicken, delicious and affordable, 500 yuan for half! Boosts cultivation when eaten!"

"Gu's products—guaranteed quality, hurry and buy!"

In the largest commercial complex of Linhai City, neighboring Jianghai City,

a conspicuous group caught everyone's attention.

Why conspicuous?

Because this group was composed of a dazzling array of beautiful young women.

At the center was a lively girl with a head of golden-blonde hair, swinging it carefreely.

She had her arms around several stunning ladies, all exuding extraordinary charm.

This group... was none other than Leng Ling'er's sister squad.

"Yahoo~! Finally, a break! Training nonstop is exhausting, you know!"

Leng Ling'er excitedly surveyed the newly renovated commercial street.

She sniffed the air, her eyes instantly sparkling.

This was... a flavor she'd never tasted before!

And the local culture—so different from Jianghai City!

"Ling'er-jie, why did you invite so many people out on a rare holiday?"

Bai Qionglan clung to Leng Ling'er's arm, pouting. When she first heard Ling'er-jie had invited her for a trip to a neighboring city, she'd been thrilled.

But then...

She glanced at Ning Qian on Leng Ling'er's left, the ever-present Yuxing behind her,

and the swarm of glamorous girls surrounding them like bodyguards...

This...

What kind of nonsense was this?!

Did they really need this many people just to hang out?!

Leng Ling'er simply wore a look that said, You just don’t get it, and giggled. "Qionglan, the more the merrier!"

"Besides, weren’t you feeling down lately worrying about your brother? I thought bringing more people would cheer you up!"

At this, Bai Qionglan’s face flushed. "W-who’s worried about him?! He’s probably just on a mission, that’s why he hasn’t returned."

"A-anyway, Ling'er-jie, let’s hurry and explore! I heard this place was funded by your brother-in-law!"

The mention of her brother-in-law made Leng Ling'er stomp her foot in frustration. "Hmph! That stupid brother-in-law is always 'too busy'—he didn’t even come for my sister’s birthday."

"What a jerk. Qionglan, let’s not talk about men today—just us girls having fun!"

"Too bad Yin Yin couldn’t make it. She was the one who recommended this place, but something came up last minute."

"Yeah, let’s buy some local snacks for her. Didn’t she love candy?"

"Speaking of which, Yin Yin always ate the candies your brother-in-law gave her. You think they...?"

"Hey! Don’t spout nonsense! My brother-in-law and sister are pure love!!"

After the lively chatter, the group linked arms, forming a human wall that blocked the entire street as they leisurely strolled into the commercial district.

Bystanders could only stare in bewilderment.

Who were these girls?

And seriously—marching in a line like this was totally blocking the way!

In the shadows,

several figures cloaked in black lurked.

Among them was Old Gao.

The other cloaked figures varied in build, but one exuded an especially terrifying aura, its gaze fixated on someone in Leng Ling'er’s group.

This figure seemed restless, almost frenzied.

"Quiet."

"Wait for the Young Master’s signal. Then, you’ll make your move."

Old Gao’s calm tone instantly silenced the group.

............

..........

Inside the Anti-Demon Weapon laboratory,

a man in a white lab coat presented experimental results to the heads of the three great families.

"Honored elders, regrettably... without higher-grade demonic essence, all experiments have failed."

The man bowed his head, trembling with fear.

"Useless trash!"

Long Aotian’s face darkened with fury.

He scanned the lab—rows of containers, each holding a failed experiment.

Damn it, all of them were failures!

Situ Guan, the Situ Family’s elder, shook his head. "No matter. We still have Lin Yinyin—the vessel prepared long ago."

Yuwen Tuo, the Yu Family’s elder, nodded in agreement. "No more delays. Take Lin Yinyin now."

They spoke vaguely, mindful of the outsider present.

"Tch."

"So be it."

Long Aotian reluctantly conceded.

Lin Yinyin stood motionless, her eyes hollow.

From the moment of her creation, a control device had been implanted.

Now, her consciousness was sealed deep within.

Long Aotian pointed at the lab-coated man. "You. Bring Lin Yinyin and come with us."

As a core researcher, he could address any issues with the vessel.

With the descent of the gods imminent, no mistakes could be allowed!

If all went smoothly... he’d be disposed of. The gods’ affairs could not risk a fourth witness.

"Yes!"

The man bowed hastily.

But from an angle the elders couldn’t see, his fearful expression shifted—cold, calculating.

A silent command was sent:

[Commence the operation.]

As they departed,

every Anti-Demon Weapon in the lab’s containers...

vanished, teleported away via pre-arranged arrays.

In Linhai City, Old Gao received the signal.

He stared at the bustling commercial complex—freshly invested in by the Gu Family—and without hesitation, hurled several orbs into the crowd.

BANG!

The demonic orbs arced through the air before exploding on impact, releasing thick black mist.

"ROAR—!!"

From the mist, grotesque demons emerged, their howls shaking the complex.

"Demons?! Why here?!"

"Someone help!"

"Where are the warriors?!"

Panic erupted instantly.

Screaming civilians stampeded in all directions as chaos consumed the scene.

Old Gao turned to the elite Anti-Demon Weapons beside him—each at Grandmaster rank or higher.

"Move."

With bestial snarls, their eyes glowed with mindless bloodlust.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

They scattered, storming key areas of the complex.

Alarms blared, red emergency lights flashing as the massacre began.

Many would die here.

But as the Young Master said—their deaths weren’t truly the end.

Old Gao gazed into the distance, an inexplicable unease gnawing at him.

The Young Master had arranged everything in advance...

Almost like... preparing for the worst.

Please... let him be safe.

.....

......

Meanwhile—

Alliance Headquarters.

Director’s office.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Leng Qingqiu was unusually not cultivating today. Instead, she was pounding on a stress-relief toy on her desk.

It was a gift from Leng Ling'er, who said hitting this toy felt like hitting Gu Yan.

"Hmph, not as satisfying as Gu Yan's actual face."

Leng Qingqiu muttered under her breath before withdrawing her hand.

That bastard Gu Yan didn’t even show up for her birthday, just dropped off a gift and vanished. Who knew what he was up to now?

She had finally figured it out—Gu Yan was doing this on purpose, pulling stupid stunts just to make her resent him.

But!

If you’re going to do it, commit to it! Why didn’t you just stab me with that dagger back then?!

And why even bother sending a birthday gift?!

What kind of half-hearted nonsense is this?

All it does is make me think about you even more!

Leng Ling'er even said something about me having no choice but to kill you... What a joke.

As if I could ever kill Gu Yan.

I like him way too much for that...

Leng Qingqiu suddenly recalled the nickname Gu Yan had given her—"Sister Thin Ice."

Back then, she had been so consumed by vengeance that she’d adopted the mindset of "walking on thin ice" through life.

But now, with Gu Yan pulling stunts like this...

The next time she found him, she was going to yell right back at him—"Brother Thin Ice!"

Just then, a voice echoed in her mind—her other self, Xiao Leng.

[You’re still so naive, my other half.]

[Get ready. Gu Yan... has already set the stage for you.]

The stage?!

Leng Qingqiu froze for a moment.

The next second—

BANG!

Shangguan Miaoyin burst into the room.

"Master, it’s bad!"

"Linhai City is under attack by demonic creatures!"

"Not just demons—there are also Anti-Demon Weapons!"

"Their target might be Miss Leng Ling'er!"

"And evidence of the three major families and smaller factions colluding in Anti-Demon Weapon experiments has been leaked online!"

Anti-Demon Weapons?! Demonic creatures?!

Leng Qingqiu’s expression darkened.

Combined with Xiao Leng’s mention of a "stage"...

Gu Yan... you’re behind all this. But why?

She didn’t have time to dwell on it. The danger sensors on Leng Ling'er hadn’t triggered yet, meaning she was safe for now.

Gu Yan had to know she was keeping an eye on Leng Ling'er.

Those demons wouldn’t stand a chance against her.

So... this was deliberate. He wanted her to step in?

Remembering what Xiao Leng had hinted at earlier—about Gu Yan wanting to make her a hero—

Leng Qingqiu clenched her fists.

First, kill the demons. Then, wipe out the families.

Gu Yan... was this all part of your plan?

A strange sense of oppression weighed on her heart.

She knew Gu Yan’s intentions, yet she had no choice but to follow his script. If she didn’t act, Leng Ling'er would get hurt, and the three families would keep harming those around her.

Gu Yan... why are you so determined to make me a hero...?

Leng Qingqiu took a deep breath.

Under Shangguan Miaoyin’s hesitant gaze, her expression turned icy.

"Deploy forces immediately. Seal off all families, corporations, and individuals connected to the Anti-Demon Weapons."

With that, she stood, a spatial rift opening before her.

"I’m heading to Linhai City."

WHOOSH!

As Leng Qingqiu vanished, Shangguan Miaoyin’s face lit up with excitement.

Yes! Finally, it’s time to take down those damn families!