Volume 1, Chapter 26: Eavesdropping on Happiness

"If she wants to leave, let her go." Xu Zhengnan said abruptly, watching the two of us like a hawk circling a chick. He had no intention of asking me to stay; he was indifferent to whether I reconciled with my parents.

Aunt Yang glared at him, then turned to comfort me with forced patience, "Yueyue, don't worry. It’s just a meal and some conversation. You’re living such a happy life now; they won't blame you anymore. They were just worried you might take the wrong path back then."

Hearing her mention my "happy life," I couldn't help but glance at Xu Zhengnan. Sure enough, he was scrutinizing me, too. My life was nothing like the happiness the media described. Once these facades were torn away, my previous...

The magpie ran to the side of the North Star, dancing with countless ribbons once more to shield itself completely, peeking through the gaps in the fabric.

"Student Xu Tingting, I’m sorry." As the three of them reached the main road in the distance, Lin Chu suddenly apologized to Xu Tingting.

The sound of thunder crackled continuously, and flashes of lightning flickered outside the window, as if the storm were right beside us. Even Ji Meina felt a shiver of fear.

Besides, counting the last time you staged that collision, you, Immortal Dou, have only met Tan Xuan twice. How could you possibly know he was being underhanded behind your back?

"Pfft, what's impossible about it? Can’t I, your sister, be exceptionally gifted?" Yu Linglong tilted her head proudly.

After hearing the sound of bones shattering, it walked over to the Mirror of Erised, satisfied, and stood there obediently, unmoving.

Once Dongfang Yunyang had made his decision, he did not hesitate. He immediately controlled his Susanoo to prepare an attack on the Void Barrier, while simultaneously issuing orders to the Wood Golem.

Sweet Pig’s fists descended like massive iron hammers, but the middle-aged man, bundled up like a polar bear, slid backward, dodging the blow with effortless grace.

The tableware, food, and ornaments on the table slid down the tilted surface with a clatter, leaving the floor in a chaotic mess.

***

The second duel was also an evenly matched contest, though it took less time than the first, concluding in just over ten minutes.

One was swift with his kicks, while the other moved with fluid punches. Their limbs clashed repeatedly; to outsiders, it seemed like a stalemate. Only Zuo Zilu felt the sting of misery—every time they traded blows, his legs were left buzzing with numbness.

He could not leave such a massive danger lurking in the Dead Realm. Looking at the endless giant eggs surrounding him, they perhaps held the powerful beings hatched by the Underworld.

She hadn't even caught how Lü Xuan had arrived at Ergouzi’s side, let alone how he had struck him. That was why she had endured time and again.

Behind Wen Xin, the three members of the Invincible Heavenly Team who had been following her reported the news as soon as she entered the Rock Sand Lands. Knowing their strength was similar to Yu Feng’s trio and aware they couldn't defeat Dao Wuhei, they chose not to attack but to follow and track her destination.

Shi Ganzhang was a practitioner of Qi-to-Spirit cultivation who still addressed Yun Wansheng as "Uncle Master." Yun Wansheng’s background was clearly anything but simple.

Others might have missed it, but Tang Baiyu and Yang Yunhan were supreme experts of their time and immediately sensed the movement from the corpse. Both of them exclaimed "Eh?" in unison, sweeping their gazes toward the body of Gao Guanyin Tai.

This battle had been fought on four fronts. Although the other three contingents had arrived to provide support at the critical moment, Xiao Yunfei still needed to understand the specifics of the fighting.

The Level-Zero Heaven-Swallowing Beast was still in a dormant state; the fact that it hadn't reacted even after three of its kind were killed by Li Jiang was proof enough.

Yang Yunhan was unaware that Master Fuju, who stood behind him, was gradually withering—his once robust body growing gaunt, his face sinking inward.

"Fine, we accept this mission!" Ghost Sting smiled faintly, the bracelet returning to his hand.

Ling Xi gave Mo Wang a wink. Mo Wang nodded and released the bindings on Mo Yue.

"A 'Pornography Appraiser'? What’s that?" Mo Wang, oblivious to what Ling Xi was thinking, asked innocently.

Jue Qingchang narrowed her sharp eyes, shifting her Wind-element spiritual power abruptly. Only then did she spot the blood bat that had been struck by Mo Qi’s fireball.

Xuan Que’s expression flickered slightly. He sighed softly and said, "How boring. Since your master has arrived, Ninth Imperial Brother, I won't pester you further. Let’s catch up another time!" With that, his figure flickered and vanished.

***

Transforming his palms into swords, he struck down once, and the head of a man in black was instantly severed from his body.

In the beginning, he had only stolen food meant for his master's fighting dogs because he was starving. In his master's eyes, he was naturally worth less than the dogs.

A fierce, icy wind whipped at her, and she was instantly knocked off her feet by its sheer force.

Walking slowly into the hall, she wondered if Dongling Feng was only staying in this residence temporarily; the furnishings were extremely sparse.

"You... you... are you human or a ghost!" Wang Yueyue’s tears were still wet on her cheeks as she frantically rubbed her eyes, terrified she was hallucinating.

"What did you say?" Tu Lingzi stopped laughing and whipped his head around, staring at Yufeng with sinister malice, as if he would strike if Yufeng said one wrong word. Even Yajun couldn't help but feel a flicker of concern.

Qiaoli had already briefed them on their mission. They stood to the side, waiting for the Princess’s command.

The Governor of Kuaiji Commandery was Sun Jing, who lay ill on his bed. "Father, take your medicine." Sun Jing’s eldest son, Sun Bing, brought the bowl. By his bedside, his fourth son, Sun Huan, and fifth son, Sun Qian, were also gathered.

But reality allowed for no negligence. In this northern campaign, Zhao Yan had lost his life—or rather, the entire country. Even though he had narrowly escaped death in the end, it remained the greatest humiliation of his life.

However, she had almost mastered the technique of generating force for a cat’s leap. She had been just a hair away from making it up last time; with a little more effort, she should be able to do it.

"No, the body and sword must become one. Then, strike again and again!" Blue Rose shouted even louder. The Divine Phoenix Sword tore through the horizon, and a Heavenly Gate appeared, showing no sign of yielding to Wu Fan.

So when Su Yan sat down, his back was already slick with cold sweat—both for himself and for the Third Prince.

"Ma Dai is here!" Ma Dai charged at the front, ordering his cavalry to attack. But Xu Rong was no pushover; the temporary defensive line he had set up made it difficult for Ma Dai to break through.