This left Gu Chengyin completely at a loss.
He had come to the bedchamber, naturally, to further confirm Luo Zhao's condition.
But now, Shangguan Yunying was sleeping right beside Luo Zhao.
How was he supposed to confirm it now?
Was he supposed to test Luo Zhao right in front of Shangguan Yunying?
After a moment of thought, Gu Chengyin understood the reason.
If Luo Zhao was truly hypnotized, and Shangguan Yunying firmly believed it,
then as the chief female official, she would naturally stay by Luo Zhao's side without taking a single step away,
ensuring that if any accident occurred, she could react immediately.
Therefore, sleeping beside her was actually very reasonable.
This instead proved that Shangguan Yunying really thought Luo Zhao was hypnotized.
Her behavioral logic was built upon this understanding.
Gu Chengyin slowly retracted his perception.
Those invisible tentacles quietly withdrew from the depths of the bedchamber, shrinking back into his sea of consciousness.
The entire process did not cause any ripples.
Then, with silent footsteps, he walked toward the inner chamber.
Finally, he stopped by the door, thirty feet away from the phoenix bed.
At this distance, he could clearly see the situation on the bed without getting too close.
After all, Shangguan Yunying was a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator; her five senses were far more acute than an ordinary person's.
If he got any closer, he would likely be noticed.
Seeing it with his own eyes now further confirmed the results of his earlier perception.
Shangguan Yunying was indeed right beside Luo Zhao.
Standing in the shadows by the door, Gu Chengyin watched quietly while his mind raced.
Should he continue to confirm?
As things stood, all signs indicated that Luo Zhao was indeed under his control.
Shangguan Yunying's behavioral logic, Luo Zhao's perfect performance, and even Gu Xiaoli's vague testimony.
Everything pointed to the same conclusion: the hypnosis had taken effect, and this Crown Princess had become a pawn in his hands.
However, the thorn in the bottom of Gu Chengyin's heart had never been removed.
This was an innate intuition, an instinctive vigilance, a perception of killing intent.
It was like a hunter walking in the wilderness; even though he didn't see any danger, he could feel eyes staring at him from the dark.
This feeling was very uncomfortable.
That was why Gu Chengyin had to test the waters time and time again.
Rather than saying it was to confirm Luo Zhao's condition, it was more to put his own mind at ease.
With an uneasy heart, nothing could be accomplished.
When doing anything, if there were doubts, scruples, or uncertainties in one's heart, it would be difficult to go all out.
It was like holding a sword but always suspecting a chip in the blade; when striking, one would naturally hesitate and hold back.
And hesitation would lead to defeat.
So Gu Chengyin had to put his mind at ease.
He was now tied to Luo Zhao's giant ship, and he couldn't just jump off whenever he wanted.
His official position was built upon the foundation of the Crown Princess's faction, and his power was firmly attached to Luo Zhao's banner.
Then, through solid battle achievements, he would plant his influence deeply into everyone's hearts.
Every single one of these elements was interlocked and indispensable.
After thinking it over, Gu Chengyin finally made a decision.
He slowly released a bit of his aura.
He didn't release it completely, but rather slightly relaxed his deliberately concealed state.
But in the exact moment Gu Chengyin released his aura,
Shangguan Yunying on the bed instantly snapped her eyes open.
She immediately sat up, her gaze like lightning, shooting straight toward where Gu Chengyin was located.
Who is it?
Gu Chengyin's figure slowly emerged from the shadows.
He did not continue to hide, but proactively stepped into the area illuminated by the moonlight.
It's me.
When she saw clearly that it was Gu Chengyin, Shangguan Yunying's tense expression noticeably relaxed.
The vigilance in her eyes faded significantly, though she maintained her sitting posture.
Why are you here?
Shangguan Yunying asked in a low voice.
But in her heart, she wasn't actually surprised.
Because during the day, Luo Zhao had told her that Gu Chengyin would most likely come at night.
That was why Shangguan Yunying was here.
Appearing beside Luo Zhao was both a close-quarters protection and a part of the plan.
The plan was for her to act as bait, enticing Gu Chengyin to bully her even more excessively.
And right on this very bed, right beside Luo Zhao.
When she first heard this plan, Shangguan Yunying's initial reaction was that Her Highness had gone mad.
Time and time again of temporary forbearance had led to a psychological perversion.
It wasn't until Luo Zhao explained the deeper meaning and purpose behind it.
Only then did Shangguan Yunying realize that this was a plan specifically targeting Gu Chengyin.
It was to make him believe with one hundred percent certainty that the hypnosis was successful.
And the price paid for this was her, Shangguan Yunying.
Did she resist it?
Not really.
Shangguan Yunying actually wasn't averse to taking things a step further with Gu Chengyin.
But in order to avoid having to choose between the two of them in the future,
she was prepared to make some slight, subtle adjustments to this plan~
Gu Chengyin's gaze bypassed Shangguan Yunying and glanced at Luo Zhao beside her.
Her jet-black long hair was scattered on the pillow, gleaming with a silk-like luster under the moonlight. Her breathing was even, and she hadn't been awakened at all.
Where are the female officials on duty in the bedchamber? Gu Chengyin suddenly asked.
Shangguan Yunying paused for a moment and replied, Since I am guarding Her Highness, I let them go back and return tomorrow morning.
What's wrong? she added, carrying a hint of confusion.
Nothing. Gu Chengyin retracted his gaze. Just that when I came over earlier, I found no one on duty outside, which was a bit strange.
Something happened today, and I came to ask you about it, but I didn't expect you to be here.
Just as Shangguan Yunying was about to open her mouth and ask what the matter was.
The tip of her nose suddenly twitched.
As if she had sniffed something.
Shangguan Yunying instinctively furrowed her brows, tilted her head slightly, and sniffed carefully in Gu Chengyin's direction again.
This movement was done very naturally, like a hound identifying scents in the air.
Gu Chengyin stood in place, unmoving.
But his heart had already skipped a beat.
Crap.
He had forgotten about this.
At the Cloud Gazing Pavilion in Fanlou, he and Lin Qingyan had hugged for an entire night.
Their bodies were pressed tightly together, their breaths intertwining.
Lin Qingyan's hair had brushed against his neck, and her scent had seeped into his robes.
That special fragrance had long permeated his entire body.
Although after leaving Fanlou, he didn't take a carriage back, but instead walked in the night breeze for a long time.
Logically speaking, the smell should have mostly dissipated.
But how acute were a cultivator's five senses.
Especially Shangguan Yunying, as a woman, was naturally extremely sensitive to fragrances.
Even if there was only a trace left, she could catch it.
Sure enough.
Shangguan Yunying's brows furrowed tighter and tighter.
She got off the bed, her bare feet stepping on the cold jade bricks, and walked toward Gu Chengyin step by step.
The moonlight shone on her, and that thin nightgown outlined her slender yet powerful curves.
She walked up to Gu Chengyin, close enough to almost feel each other's breathing.
Then, Shangguan Yunying leaned close to the side of Gu Chengyin's neck and sniffed carefully again.
This time, she was certain.
On your body...
Shangguan Yunying raised her head, her eyes now filled with complex emotions.
There was doubt, confusion, and a hint of displeasure.
Why does it smell so fragrant?
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
y came from. The chests contained supplies, currency, class-change scrolls, skills, talents… and even godhood! The laws of the world were completely rewritten. This became a world where everyone gambled with their fate! Some people, despite having nothing, opened a divine artifact and rose to the top, eventually ruling the world. Others went bankrupt, opened nothing but worthless junk, and leaped from skyscrapers in despair. Lin Ye arrived in this world from another reality, utterly bewildered. “What is going on? Why is everyone a gambling addict?!” “Opening chests? No way. I refuse to gamble. I’ll start with myself!” Until— On his first chest, he obtained a Mythic Talent: Void Incarnation! He could become completely intangible, pass through all things, and reduce everything to nothingness! … On his fiftieth chest, he obtained a Mythic Weapon: Blade of Karma! With a single slash, karma shattered, twisting the universe and overturning the myriad phenomena of creation! … On his ninety-ninth chest, he obtained a Mythic Divine Treasure: Primordial Purple Energy! It could split open the heavens and earth, create all things, and evolve countless worlds with a single thought! Lin Ye: “Now that I think about it… shouldn’t someone have told me that every chest is guaranteed to contain something Mythic?!”
nd fell into a coma while saving his younger sister from an out-of-control car. He became a vegetable. No one knew that his consciousness had crossed into a world of cultivation. Over the course of sixty years, he began as the lowest kind of mine slave, struggling to survive amid mountains of corpses and seas of blood. By sheer chance, he eventually obtained the complete memories of a fallen Immortal King. Alchemy, medicine, formations, feng shui, physiognomy, artifact forging… Every great inheritance of the cultivation world was now his. But when he opened his eyes again, he discovered that ten full years had passed in the modern world. To pay for his treatment, his father had sold the family’s shop and house, leaving himself covered in lasting injuries and illness. His mother had cared for him day and night, and more than half of her hair had already turned white. His younger sister, who had been only fifteen back then, was now twenty-five. To help repay the family’s debts, she had been forced to lower her head and put on a smiling face in places of glittering lights and endless revelry. Only then did Chen Xuan understand that what he had lost was not merely ten years. He had lost the life his entire family was meant to have. The good news was that he had brought back the memories of an Immortal King’s entire lifetime. The bad news was that his soul had returned alone—his cultivation had not come with him. Spiritual energy was scarce, resources were depleted, and the modern world still had firearms, surveillance, capital, and laws. If he wanted to protect his family, break free from everyone’s control, and become truly invincible beneath the heavens, he would have to start all over again.
s + Rent Collection Wealth】 At the start, he inherited a rundown house in the urban village from his grandfather. The house had no tenants, but the moment he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, a self-proclaimed empress from the Tianxuan Continent arrived as his first tenant. Ye Chuan soon discovered that with every new tenant moving in, not only did he receive massive daily payments, but he also obtained unique items related to their backgrounds. 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Tiger Strength Pill—dramatically enhances physical power!】 【Acquired Bai Qianshuang’s related item: Deer Blood Pill—significantly boosts vitality!】 …… From that day on, all sorts of bizarre tenants began appearing in the house: the empress from Tianxuan Continent, an apocalyptic sorceress from the Magic Realm, a mysterious scientific girl who fell through a spacetime rift… Every single day, he received strange, powerful items and endless money. Then one day, he suddenly realized—he had become invincible. Enough, enough! Stop giving me more!
