After Betraying the Whole World, You’re Telling Me They Were All Real? - Chapter 1:

Chapter 1: Only Complete Conquest Counts as Conquest

“So… you even slept with Her Highness the princess?”

“Just last night.”

“And then you ran off? In the middle of the night?”

“Yes!”

“You abandoned the princess just last night, and today you still dared to attend her birthday banquet?”

“Well, I was just bored…”

Inside the palace of the Great Yan Empire, the banquet plaza was lively and filled with guests. In one corner of the banquet, seated across from Ling Qi, was a woman dressed in white. Her features were delicate and elegant, her temperament graceful, like a fairy from the heavens untouched by mortal dust. That charming face always carried a pure, gentle smile that could stir the soul.

“I’ve seen many people who like to brag, but this is the first time I’ve seen someone exaggerate this much,” the white-clothed woman said with a smile.

According to what Ling Qi had just told her, this was a “game world,” a virtual world where everything was fake—except for him. Everyone else was supposedly… NPCs? Naturally, she didn’t know what NPCs were, but based on Ling Qi’s explanation, it meant fixed puppets without real self-awareness.

Ling Qi did whatever he wanted in this world—acting recklessly, living without restraint. He had done all kinds of dangerous things, stirred up countless storms, killed ruthless people, and offended powerful factions. Whenever he encountered a woman he liked, he would make her his, even including Her Highness the princess.

As of now, there were only three women in the entire world that he desired but had yet to claim:

First: the supreme Empress of the Great Yan Empire, Jiang Ling.

Second: the Demon Sect’s bloodthirsty sect master, Ye Youluo.

Third: the most famed heroine of the martial world, Fairy Chu—Chu Xinyue.

An Empress, a demonic sect master, and a fairy-like heroine—recognized as the three top goddesses of the current age. Status, beauty, and strength, all at the absolute peak. The peerless three!

And Ling Qi’s next goal was to claim these three women for himself.

He really was bold enough to dream in broad daylight.

Ling Qi shook his head while sipping wine. Even though what he said sounded boastful—absurd even—it was all true.

He had been in this fantasy martial world for many years now. Along with him had come his system: a little black cat. That cat had told him this was a nearly 100% realistic game world, urging him to enjoy it fully.

Then it ran off…

Ling Qi had been extremely annoyed. Shouldn’t a system bind with the host and provide power-ups or something? Why did it leave? It didn’t even tell him how to clear the game or play it.

Left with no choice, Ling Qi had to explore everything by himself. Since it was just a game world, he figured he might as well do whatever he pleased. Things others wouldn’t dare to do, he did. Women others wouldn’t dare to pursue, he pursued. Places others wouldn’t dare to step into, he stormed in.

No matter what kind of evil or absurd acts he committed, he felt no guilt—because everyone in this world was just an NPC.

Even now, he still didn’t know how to clear the game or exit the world. He had even considered whether dying in this world would cause him to log out.

So he ventured into the Forbidden Demon Region, a place no one dared to enter. And he lived. Barely. He came out severely injured and now had little time left to live.

Thinking of the three peerless beauties he had yet to conquer, he arrived at the Great Yan Empire, determined to claim them all. Once that was done, he’d have experienced everything this game world had to offer. If death came, then so be it. If he exited the game, so be it.

“Of course you don’t believe me. No one would believe something like this,” Ling Qi said with a smile.

Who would believe that they were an NPC? That wasn’t part of anyone’s setup.

“So, according to you, your next step is to target those three women?” the white-robed woman asked, still smiling.

“Mm-hmm,” Ling Qi nodded.

“You’re really that confident?” she asked. “Those three… their status and power are the highest in the world.”

Ling Qi smiled slightly. In this world, there wasn’t a woman—no, not even an NPC—he couldn’t handle.

“And what methods are you planning to use against them?” she asked curiously.

“Adapt to the situation,” Ling Qi said with a grin. As long as he met them, he’d find a way.

“Then… among those three, who do you think is the most outstanding?” the white-clothed woman asked again.

“No idea. Aside from the Empress, I haven’t met the other two,” Ling Qi replied with a faint smile. As he spoke, he turned to look toward the noble figure seated on the dragon throne atop the high platform. That was, of course, the Empress of the Great Yan Empire—Jiang Ling.

She wore a long golden gown that hugged her curvaceous figure, exuding a natural aura of royal dominance. Her face was breathtaking, with a golden mark on her forehead and light-golden eyes that added an air of nobility and mystery.

Truly above all others. Absolutely stunning.

As for the other two, Ling Qi had never met them.

The heroine Chu Xinyue was widely known but rarely appeared in public. Those who had seen her claimed she looked like a celestial fairy, unbelievably beautiful.

As for the demonic sect master, Ye Youluo, she never left her sect. Ling Qi had never been there.

And Ling Qi? Though he had roamed among countless flowers, becoming unmatched in charm, he had long become a reclusive master—like a nameless monk sweeping the grounds, known to few.

Many had seen him, yet didn’t even know his name. Even the princess he had shared intimacy with last night didn’t know his name.

“You really haven’t met them?” the white-robed woman asked, watching him.

“Very soon,” Ling Qi said with a smile.

“Then tell me… how do I compare to those three in your heart?” she asked again.

Hearing this, Ling Qi looked up into her clear, beautiful eyes, then smiled slightly, “Honestly, it’s the first time I’ve met an NPC with your level of beauty and temperament. Just on looks alone, you’re no worse than the Empress sitting on that dragon throne.”

“That’s why I came to your table.”

Among the crowd, he had spotted her at a glance—and sat down. A beauty like this, Ling Qi wouldn’t let slip by.

“Hahaha, so before going after those three, you wanted to have a little appetizer first?” the white-clothed woman giggled. “You think I look like someone easy to take down?”

“Easy or not, the result will be the same,” Ling Qi raised his wine cup again. As long as he had his eyes on someone, it was only a matter of how much effort it took. In the end… they would all be his.

“Are you some kind of flower thief?” she teased. “You even dare set your sights on the Empress and the others? You’ve got guts.”

Hearing this, Ling Qi laughed. A flower thief, huh? If you insist on calling it that… it wasn’t entirely wrong. But there was still a difference.

He never used vile methods on women—he made them willingly fall for him.

Only a wholehearted conquest counted as a true conquest.

Were NPCs really that hard to handle? As long as you understood their settings and applied the right strategy, they were easy to deal with.

“Then do you know… who I am?” the white-robed woman suddenly asked.

“No. But since I find you pleasing to the eye, let me share a little secret,” Ling Qi said with a grin.

“What secret?” she asked, watching him with interest.

“The Empress used this birthday banquet for the little princess as a cover to invite heroes from across the martial world. Her real goal is to nominate Chu Xinyue as the Martial Alliance Leader,” Ling Qi said slowly. “Then she plans to use Chu Xinyue to fight Ye Youluo, making them destroy each other so she can profit from their conflict.”

He had overheard this while passing by the Empress’s chambers last night after leaving the princess’s bed. That woman sitting on the dragon throne had great ambition. She didn’t just want to destroy the Demon Sect—she wanted to control the entire martial world.

So she planned to pit Chu Xinyue against Ye Youluo, letting them clash weapons.

If those two truly fought, there would only be one outcome: one injured, one defeated.

At that point, the Empress would sweep in and eliminate the threat. Whether it was Chu Xinyue or Ye Youluo, both would be removed.

“Oh?” the white-robed woman narrowed her eyes slightly and looked toward the Empress on the high platform. “Is that so? Her Majesty is hailed as a wise ruler for the ages—would she really scheme like this behind the scenes?”

“She may be a wise ruler, but she’s still an Emperor,” Ling Qi said with a faint smile. “Born to rule, she must secure her eternal empire.”

These years, the martial world had grown increasingly unfathomable. To prevent the martial world from devouring her empire, she had to act—eliminating all threats.

The white-robed woman said nothing more but fell into deep thought over Ling Qi’s words.

At that moment, a cold and noble voice echoed across the plaza, “Today is Yaoyao’s birthday banquet. Taking this opportunity, I have specially invited heroes from all over the martial world to discuss the matter of eliminating the Demon Sect!”

Everyone turned to look toward the dragon throne—where Empress Jiang Ling sat.

“In today’s martial world, heroes are everywhere. If we join hands with the Empire, the Demon Sect is hardly worth mentioning,” Jiang Ling’s voice rang out again. “However… though heroes abound, the martial world lacks a true leader.”

“I intend to use this opportunity to host a Martial Arts Conference and select a Martial Alliance Leader.”

Hearing this, all the martial experts present were stunned.

A Martial Arts Conference? To select a Martial Alliance Leader?

No wonder they had received invitations from the imperial court. They had thought it was pure honor to be invited—but it turned out the Empress wanted to choose a leader for the martial world?

The guests were all big names from powerful factions across the martial world. But to take on the title of Martial Alliance Leader… who could bear such weight? Who could earn the respect of all heroes under heaven?

“I just happen to have the perfect candidate,” the Empress said once more. “Of course, since this is a Martial Arts Conference, if anyone has objections, you may step forward and challenge her.”

“Heroine Chu, Fairy Chu!”

As her words fell, her golden eyes turned toward the table where Ling Qi sat. She wasn’t looking at him, of course, but at the white-robed woman sitting across from him.

Ling Qi’s eyes narrowed.

Heroine Chu? Fairy Chu?

So the woman sitting across from him… was Chu Xinyue?

The most renowned heroine in the entire martial world? Heh…

No wonder he had noticed her at a glance among the crowd. There really was a sense of connection.

This NPC was quite interesting. After talking for so long, she hadn’t revealed anything about herself.

No wonder she had asked how she compared to those three. No wonder she had asked which one Ling Qi valued more…

“A bit unexpected,” Chu Xinyue said, her clear eyes fixed on Ling Qi, a playful smile tugging at her delicate face. “I’m one of the three you were so confident about conquering.”

After all that talk, the person Ling Qi had been searching for was right in front of him. And he had even spoken his honest thoughts without holding anything back—so full of confidence, as if success was guaranteed!

She wondered what he was feeling now. Would he feel embarrassed? Startled? Maybe even scared?

However, Ling Qi’s expression remained largely unchanged. Instead, a smile grew on his face. “It really is unexpected… an unexpected surprise.”

Didn’t this save him quite a bit of trouble? Now, among the three he wanted, he had run into two already.

“Oh? You don’t look nervous at all?” Chu Xinyue was becoming more intrigued by Ling Qi.

She added, “You’d better not really be some kind of flower thief. Otherwise… I won’t let you off easily.”

She was the renowned heroine of the martial world—Chu Xinyue. Upholding justice and punishing evil had always been her calling.

“The things I said, you’d better keep in mind,” Ling Qi said in a low voice. “Don’t think that woman born to rule would really have the heart to work with you.”

“You must always remember—she is an emperor. And an emperor can never allow anything to threaten her throne.”

That was a trait found in every emperor NPC—domineering, authoritative.

“Thanks for the warning,” Chu Xinyue replied with a faint smile.

She glanced at Ling Qi, then opened a paper umbrella and gracefully leapt toward the high platform like a celestial being.

Ling Qi didn’t turn his head to watch her leave, because he knew that a pair of unfriendly eyes beside the Empress were staring at him.

That girl was the cute and petite princess of the Great Yan Empire, the Empress’s younger sister—Jiang Yao.

“Hmm? Who’s that guy? Why is he sitting with Heroine Chu?” Jiang Yao muttered with a curious expression. “Doesn’t Heroine Chu always act alone? Could she actually have a friend?”

Ling Qi was sitting at the banquet table with his back facing her.

Had she seen his face, she would’ve instantly recognized him as the bastard who played with her last night and ran off.

Last night, she had been absolutely furious. That guy had whispered sweet nothings like they were the truth.

Then, when she woke up—he was gone.

She’d felt used and discarded.

She never imagined that someone like her—Her Highness, the Princess of the Great Yan Empire—would be abandoned.

Getting her was that guy’s fortune earned over several lifetimes, yet he treated it like it was nothing?

Once she found him, she’d make sure he paid…

As a faint floral scent filled the air, Chu Xinyue’s graceful figure landed lightly on the high platform.

Dressed in white purer than snow, untouched by dust, her presence radiated like an immortal. A breeze brushed past, and she seemed cloaked in ethereal light.

From afar, it looked like a soft white halo surrounded her—pure and captivating.

“Is that Heroine Chu? I didn’t expect her to be here as well.”

“Clearly, this Martial Arts Conference was planned in advance between Her Majesty and Heroine Chu.”

“Seeing is believing. Heroine Chu truly looks like a fairy from the heavens.”

“Her brilliance is more than just appearance.”

“Rumor has it she’s at the peak of the Heaven-Revering Realm—one of the most powerful in the world!”

“There are many in the Heaven-Revering Realm, but very few have reached the peak. Chu Xinyue is one of the absolute best!”

“Hehe, didn’t expect Heroine Chu to have ties with the Empress.”

“Having Heroine Chu as the Martial Alliance Leader would be fitting.”

“Which hero in today’s world hasn’t fallen to Heroine Chu’s sword—or her beauty?”

“…”

As soon as Chu Xinyue appeared, the crowd erupted in whispers.

Appearance, strength—she was just like the Empress.

A woman who could make heroes bow with a smile.

She truly was the perfect choice to lead the martial world.

An Empress ruling the empire, a heroine leading the martial world.

Thinking about it, it even sounded poetic.

“Grateful for Your Majesty’s favor. The martial world indeed needs a leader to unite its heroes,” Chu Xinyue said with calm politeness as she stepped forward. “The Demon Sect has acted without restraint in recent years. They must be eradicated.”

“Though my talents are limited, I am willing to give all I can.”

“If Your Majesty has nominated me to be the Martial Alliance Leader, for the sake of peace in the world, I shall not decline.”

“Of course, since this is a selection conference, if any of the heroes present would like to put themselves forward, let it be a fair competition!”

“…”

Though she spoke humbly, there was a subtle pride in her voice.

All the martial world’s experts exchanged looks.

Becoming the Martial Alliance Leader meant being able to command the martial world.

Everyone had dreamed of such a position.

But… the one standing on stage was Chu Xinyue.

A peak-stage Heaven-Revering Realm cultivator!

In this world, cultivation realms followed this order: Spirit Martial Realm (1st to 9th stage), Profound Earth Realm, Heaven-Revering Realm, Supreme Limit Realm…

No one had ever heard of anyone reaching the Supreme Limit Realm.

But many had reached the Heaven-Revering Realm.

Chu Xinyue was one of its absolute pinnacles.

Aside from the Empress on that dragon throne, there was likely no one present who could match her.

So… who could even compete for the position of Martial Alliance Leader?

“Hehe, I am Wu Yuan, the Asura Blade of Chaos Shadows!”

A voice rang out from the crowd.

A man with a long blade strapped to his back leapt onto the stage.

“I know I’m no match for Heroine Chu. But since I have the fortune of seeing her in person today, how could I let the opportunity pass?”

As he drew the blade from his back, Wu Yuan smiled and said, “I have no intention of contending for the position. I’m not cut out to lead. I simply wish to spar with Heroine Chu.”

Competing with her? He couldn’t win. And with the Empress herself appointing Chu Xinyue, challenging her would only make one look foolish.

But sparring? That was perfectly reasonable.

Across from him, Chu Xinyue remained calm. She lifted her jade-like hand and spoke a single word, “Please.”

She didn’t mind any challenge.

If she was to become the Martial Alliance Leader, she had to earn everyone’s respect.

Wu Yuan smiled slightly, his aura rising as he slashed forward.

Chu Xinyue didn’t even draw a sword. She simply folded her paper umbrella and used it like a blade to counter the attack.

A peak-stage Heaven-Revering Realm cultivator was truly unmatched. After just a few moves, the Asura Blade was thrown off the stage, completely unable to fight back.

The crowd gasped, “As expected of Heroine Chu—her fame is well-deserved!”

“Wu Yuan barely reached the early stage of the Heaven-Revering Realm, but in front of her, it was over in mere moments.”

“Even within the same realm, the difference can be like heaven and earth!”

“…”

The whispers grew louder.

After winning the first bout, Chu Xinyue raised her hand again.

Since she had already agreed with the Empress to take on the role of Martial Alliance Leader, today she would accept all challengers.

With the first person leading the way, other top-tier experts from the martial world exchanged glances before stepping up one after another.

All of them claimed they only wanted to spar with the greatest heroine in the world.

One after another, they went up… and one after another, they went down.

No one was her match.

Chu Xinyue alone stood firm, calm and unshaken even when facing a barrage of challenges.

She never even drew a real sword.

While all attention was focused on Chu Xinyue, Ling Qi took the chance to turn and observe the lively scene.

Aside from the Empress and himself, no one here could rival Chu Xinyue.

Her becoming Martial Alliance Leader was inevitable.

But still… the Empress planned to eliminate both Chu Xinyue and Ye Youluo?

That wouldn’t do!

These were his top three NPCs.

How could he allow them to destroy each other?

Absolutely not!

Ling Qi’s lips curled with a faint smile.

The real reason he had come today was to disrupt the Empress Jiang Ling’s plan.

He wanted the three of them… to live in harmony.

“Hmm?”

Just as Ling Qi looked toward Jiang Ling, he suddenly noticed something.

A petite maid was presenting a wine cup to Jiang Ling and then obediently stood by her side.

It was a young girl, delicate and charming—clearly the Empress’s personal attendant.

Strangely… she had a pair of black cat ears on her head.

And a black tail swayed behind her.

She looked absolutely adorable.

“What… is that?”

Ling Qi was a little curious. Was she a catgirl?

A demon?

But she didn’t look like the ones he had seen in the Forbidden Demon Region.

There was a forbidden zone in this world called the Forbidden Demon Region. It was territory of the demons—no one who entered ever came out alive.

Ling Qi had once gone to that place before, and he was the only person who had ever come out of that forbidden land alive.

What he found curious now was—inside the Forbidden Demon Region, every creature he saw was ferocious, grotesque, with fangs dripping with slime—male or female, it made no difference.

But the Empress had by her side such a clean, cute little catgirl.

She didn’t resemble those hideous demons at all. Instead, she gave off a sense of softness, purity, and sweetness.

And she was definitely… a little white tiger.

Looking at that catgirl, Ling Qi was suddenly reminded of his system.

Now that he thought about it, wasn’t his system also a little black cat?

If that black cat were to transform into a catgirl, it might look exactly like her…

Or perhaps…

Ling Qi’s gaze locked onto the catgirl from afar.

Perhaps… that really was his system in disguise!

You damn system. Don’t you even know where your master is?

He had to find a chance to test it out…

As everyone watched, more and more experts stepped up to challenge Chu Xinyue one after another.

But without exception, no one could last beyond ten moves before being knocked off the stage.

All of them surrendered willingly.

With Chu Xinyue’s current peak Heaven-Revering Realm strength, calling her the number one person in the martial world was no exaggeration.

Strength, beauty, reputation, character—she was flawless in every aspect.

With someone like her as the Alliance Leader, who could object?

When another strong challenger was knocked off the stage, the remaining warriors glanced at each other but no one dared to go up again.

If you weren’t her match, you just weren’t her match.

From the looks of it, aside from Her Majesty the Empress, there was no one here who could contend with Chu Xinyue.

On the dragon throne, the Empress’s lips curved ever so slightly.

Everything had gone exactly as she planned.

Next, she was just about to officially announce that Chu Xinyue would be the new Martial Alliance Leader—

Whoosh!

But at that moment, another figure darted from the crowd and gently landed on the stage.

It was none other than Ling Qi.

He had no interest in the title of Martial Alliance Leader, nor did he care about the Demon Sect.

His goal was simple—to disrupt the Empress’s plan. He couldn’t let her hurt Chu Xinyue, and he definitely couldn’t let Chu Xinyue and Ye Youluo kill each other!

When someone else stepped onto the stage, everyone looked on in surprise.

Who was this guy?

So many experts had already failed, and he still dared to step up?

All eyes fell on Ling Qi, including the gaze of the catgirl beside the Empress.

In an instant, her pupils shrank, and her heart trembled violently.

Holy crap!?

It’s him?

Why is he here?

Ling Qi’s wild guess hadn’t been wrong.

That little catgirl… really was what he called his system.

Of course, she wasn’t actually a system. She was just a catgirl.

She originally belonged to this fantasy world, but for some unknown reason, had somehow ended up in Ling Qi’s previous modern world.

Then she found a way to return here—and coincidentally, she ran into Ling Qi during her return and accidentally brought him with her.

Back then, to help Ling Qi adapt to life in this world, she lied and told him this was a game world and she was his system.

After all, back in the modern world, novels with those plots were everywhere.

And once she said that, she vanished without a trace…

She never expected Ling Qi to still be alive.

And even more unexpected—he was standing right in front of her.

How had he been all these years?

If his life had been miserable, wouldn’t he hate her to death?

Luckily, he hadn’t recognized her—he didn’t know she could transform into a catgirl…

“It… it’s him?”

Just then, as the catgirl was mentally preparing herself to avoid being recognized by Ling Qi at all costs, a voice suddenly rang out.

The one speaking was, of course, Princess Jiang Yao.

“You bastard, you actually dare come back?”

Jiang Yao stood up on the spot, grabbed the long sword from the guard beside her, and leapt onto the stage.

Before anyone could react, she charged straight at Ling Qi and slashed with her sword!

Ling Qi calmly raised his hand and caught the tip of her sword with two fingers.

Looking at the furious little princess in front of him, he shook his head helplessly, “Aren’t you going to at least let me explain?”

“What’s there to explain? You’re a liar, a big fat liar!” Jiang Yao shouted, her small face flushed with anger, slashing wildly with her sword.

Explain?

Last night, this bastard had whispered sweet nothings to her like magic. And when she woke up in the middle of the night… he was gone!

He had even slipped away without anyone noticing.

She was the proud Princess of the Great Yan Empire, and under his coaxing, she had given him everything…

Only for him to pat his butt and leave after he was done?

What a scumbag!

There was no way she was letting him off today!

With a cold snort, Jiang Yao slashed again, but Ling Qi simply kept dodging without fighting back.

On stage, Chu Xinyue stood off to the side, holding her white umbrella, watching with amusement.

Looks like… something really did happen between this guy and the princess?

So he wasn’t lying after all?

Interesting.

How had he managed to win over this proud and lively princess without anyone knowing?

And if he really had a relationship with the princess…

Then… could the other things he said also be true?

But that was impossible.

How could this world be fake?

How could she possibly be some puppet as he described?

She clearly had her own thoughts, her own awareness—she was clearly a real person!

Meanwhile, the entire audience was baffled, staring at the commotion on stage.

Who was this guy?

What was going on between him and the princess?

Why did Her Highness start attacking him the moment he appeared?

She looked furious—but her sword strikes were wild and disorganized.

It didn’t seem like she was trying to kill him… more like she just needed to vent.

“Your Majesty?”

At that moment, one of the guards beside the Empress bowed slightly.

Should we intervene?

But Empress Jiang Ling merely raised her hand slightly, clearly signaling that no action was necessary.

Whoever this man was, he clearly meant no harm. He hadn’t even fought back against her sister, only dodged.

And her sister’s reason for lashing out… seemed to be some unspeakable grudge?

Why was she acting like an angry little girl?

What exactly was the relationship between this man and her sister?

The Empress then slowly stood up and called out calmly, “Yao Yao.”

Jiang Yao, still swinging her sword in frustration, didn’t respond.

“Yao Yao!” Jiang Ling repeated, her voice laced with unmistakable imperial authority.

Jiang Yao slashed again—but this time, Ling Qi didn’t dodge.

Her sword came to a sudden halt against his shoulder.

She truly resented Ling Qi for abandoning her last night—but that resentment was complicated.

After all, he had run off, yes… but now, for some strange reason, he was back.

Maybe he really did have a reason?

She couldn’t really kill him—not without at least hearing his explanation.

“If you truly want my life, you don’t need to go through all this trouble. I’m already a dying man,” Ling Qi said softly.

The moment those words left his mouth, all the anger and bitterness on Jiang Yao’s face vanished completely.

It was replaced with concern and worry. “What… what do you mean?”

He… a dying man?

What did that even mean? Why?

“I’ll explain it later. If nothing unexpected happens, I’ll be living in the imperial capital from now on,” Ling Qi said with a gentle smile.

Jiang Yao looked at him—at that smiling face.

After a brief silence, she sheathed her sword.

Fine. She’d listen to his explanation first. She needed to know… why he was dying.

And then… she’d get to the bottom of why he left her behind.

“Hmph!” she huffed softly, then turned and darted back to the Empress’s side.

Jiang Ling looked down at her younger sister, as though trying to discern what kind of relationship existed between her and Ling Qi. But when she noticed Jiang Yao’s eyes shifting to avoid hers, she chose not to question it immediately. Some matters were personal and best left unspoken in front of an audience.

She turned to Ling Qi and asked calmly, “You… who are you? Are you also here to compete for the position of Alliance Leader?”

Ling Qi smiled slightly and replied, “I’m her friend,” while casting a glance toward Chu Xinyue.

Chu Xinyue met his gaze with her bright eyes, tinged with interest. They had just met, and he already called himself her friend? Still, she didn’t refute him. She wanted to see for herself what kind of person this so-called friend was, how strong he truly was, and what he intended to do.

“Friend?” The Empress, like most others present, had never heard of Chu Xinyue having any friends. Hadn’t she always been independent, doing things her own way and walking her own path? Since when did she have companions?

And what kind of friend was he? A close one? Or just a casual acquaintance?

Ling Qi smiled again and said, “As for the Alliance Leader position, I do want to give it a try.” He then locked eyes with Chu Xinyue.

Chu Xinyue’s lovely face softened with a smile. She had been thinking the same thing. She, too, wanted to test this man’s strength.

“Then let’s begin,” Jiang Ling said flatly. She also wanted to see just how capable this man, who seemed to be entangled with her sister, really was. Even she, a peak Heaven-Revering Realm cultivator, couldn’t fully see through him. That alone made things interesting.

Ling Qi smiled gently and nodded, then extended a hand toward Chu Xinyue. “Use your full strength. Otherwise… you might die.”

Of course, he didn’t mean Chu Xinyue would die at his hands, but rather that she could die by the Empress’s hands. By acting now, he was openly aligning himself with Chu Xinyue and using this battle to demonstrate his strength. This way, if the Empress had any thoughts of targeting Chu Xinyue, she’d have to think twice.

Chu Xinyue looked at Ling Qi’s confident expression and smiled softly. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

She grasped the jade handle of her paper umbrella and drew a delicate yet gleaming sword from within. As soon as Chu Xinyue unsheathed her sword, all eyes fixed on her. Until now, she hadn’t drawn her sword against any challenger. Yet this man had earned that right?

“He actually made Heroine Chu draw her sword? This guy must be formidable!”

“But why has no one heard of him? Does anyone here recognize him?”

“Everyone present today is a renowned expert from the martial world and prestigious sects!”

“And yet no one knows who he is?”

“Could he have received an invitation from the Empire too?”

“Didn’t you see how he clearly knows the Princess? If he’s acquainted with the Princess, it makes sense that he got an invitation.”

“Maybe he’s a hidden expert from seclusion?”

“What hidden expert could be this young?”

“And he’s so arrogant too, telling Heroine Chu to go all out or she might die?”

“Ridiculous. I’ve never heard of anyone in a one-on-one fight putting Heroine Chu in danger.”

“Didn’t he say he’s Heroine Chu’s friend? She probably knows how strong he is, so she drew her sword.”

“…”

Whispers spread through the crowd as everyone waited to see the fight unfold.

On the platform, Chu Xinyue said gently, “You better be careful. Maybe the one who ends up dying… will be you.”

Then her figure shot forward like lightning. Her snowy white silhouette, accompanied by a faint floral fragrance and dazzling sword aura, charged toward Ling Qi.

Facing her attack, Ling Qi only smiled and swiftly sidestepped. After one move, Chu Xinyue spun around and struck again.

Sword Qi roared, slicing through the palace sky. Its overwhelming force caused many watching to pale slightly.

“As expected of Heroine Chu. No wonder she didn’t bother using her sword earlier.”

“If she had, how many people here could withstand even three moves?”

“But this guy’s footwork is impressive. He keeps dodging every strike precisely.”

“Still… just dodging won’t win. It’s only a matter of time before he loses.”

“…”

The spectators shared their thoughts as they watched the duel intently.

On the dragon throne above, the Empress Jiang Ling stared at the battle with her golden eyes. Others might not see it, but she, someone on par with Chu Xinyue in strength, could see everything clearly.

Every move Chu Xinyue made was incredibly sharp and precise, nearly flawless.

She wasn’t holding back.

And yet, Ling Qi was still effortlessly dodging each strike.

That meant his strength was not beneath hers.

When had such a powerful expert appeared in the world without her knowing?

The Empress began to feel unease. The martial world’s depths… were far beyond what they seemed. And the deeper it was, the greater the risk it posed to her empire.

She had to find a way to control the entire martial world.

“This guy’s actually strong. Even Heroine Chu can’t do anything to him?” Jiang Yao muttered in mild surprise as she watched the fight unfold.

She hadn’t expected Ling Qi to be this deeply hidden. He could withstand so many strikes from Chu Xinyue? That was no small feat.

She’d definitely need to learn more about him later. He better not turn out to be a complete fraud—otherwise, she wouldn’t let him off.

Even the catgirl standing at the Empress’s side was surprised.

This guy had become so powerful in this world?

To be able to fight Heroine Chu to this extent was no joke.

It seemed he was doing quite well for himself here… Maybe she should find a chance to talk to him and clear the air?

“Yao Yao, what exactly is your relationship with this person?” the Empress asked suddenly as Ling Qi and Chu Xinyue continued exchanging blows.

“He…”

Jiang Yao hesitated, clearly unwilling to speak the full truth. She decided on another explanation. “He bullied me before.”

The Empress’s golden eyes turned slightly cold. Someone dared bully her little sister?

“But… he didn’t bully me that badly,” Jiang Yao quickly added in a quiet voice.

She understood her royal sister’s temper. If she got angry, she might actually kill Ling Qi on the spot. And although he was a scoundrel… if he died, she’d never get the answers she wanted.

“Not that badly?” The Empress frowned slightly. What kind of explanation was that? It didn’t even make sense.

She glanced at her sister but chose not to press further.

It seemed her sister might already be considering this man as a potential suitor. After all, she wasn’t young anymore.

Still… for anyone to want to become her sister’s husband, he had better be qualified. Otherwise, she would never approve.

With all eyes on them, the duel between Chu Xinyue and Ling Qi was nearing its end.

“Use your full strength. Let’s decide this in one move,” Ling Qi said softly after dodging another attack.

Chu Xinyue looked slightly surprised. Having fought him herself, she knew better than anyone what his strength was.

This guy was truly hiding his power!

She immediately stepped back, raised her thin sword upright, and gathered her strength.

He asked her to go all out? Then she would!

Buzz!

In an instant, white sword Qi burst forth like a rain of petals, surging wildly.

“Heaven and Earth… One Sword!”

She locked eyes on Ling Qi and stabbed forward with her ultimate technique.

This was her most famous move, and she held nothing back this time.

Under the watchful gaze of everyone, the storm of sword Qi engulfed Ling Qi.

BOOM!

A massive shockwave exploded outward. The force made many in the crowd take a few steps back, shielding their eyes.

The blast lasted a long while before it finally settled.

Everyone immediately looked to the platform. Only Chu Xinyue remained standing. Ling Qi, although unharmed, had landed below the stage.

Clearly, the match was over.

“Haha, I knew it. How could this guy be a match for Heroine Chu?”

“And he even said she might die? Ridiculous.”

“Still… forcing Heroine Chu to use her Heaven and Earth One Sword proves his strength. That’s not ordinary at all.”

“He must be in the late Heaven-Revering Realm, right? Otherwise he couldn’t have lasted so long.”

“At least late stage, for sure. Otherwise, Heroine Chu wouldn’t even acknowledge him as a friend.”

“…”

The crowd all chimed in.

Below the stage, Ling Qi clapped his hands and said, “I lost. As expected of a fairy.”

Chu Xinyue didn’t respond, nor did she look pleased. Her pretty face showed a hint of solemnity as her clear eyes stared intently at Ling Qi.

Others might not know, but she did.

That last strike—Ling Qi could have blocked it completely.

He hadn’t been forced off the stage.

He had jumped down on his own.

He hadn’t lost.

She hadn’t won.

In fact, that final exchange proved one thing.

Ling Qi’s strength… surpassed hers.

She was already at the peak of the Heaven-Revering Realm, among the strongest in the world.

Anyone stronger… would be in the Supreme Limit Realm.

Did that realm really exist?

Who exactly was this man?

The Empress Jiang Ling, seated on the dragon throne, had the same thought.

She could tell that Ling Qi had deliberately lost to Chu Xinyue.

His strength… was higher than hers.

She hadn’t expected Chu Xinyue to have such a powerful friend. This would complicate matters if she intended to deal with Chu Xinyue.

Jiang Ling’s golden eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Ling Qi. One question remained: if Ling Qi was stronger than Chu Xinyue, why did he throw the match?

Why go up there only to lose?

Was he deliberately showing her something?

Was he warning her not to touch Chu Xinyue because she had him for protection?

As that thought crossed her mind, Ling Qi happened to look her way.

When their eyes met, she understood immediately.

Yes… that was exactly his intention.

He was warning her.

She hadn’t expected the Supreme Limit Realm to truly exist.

Her plans would now face unexpected disruption.

Jiang Ling’s gaze sharpened. This man… must either be used by her—or eliminated.

With Ling Qi’s retreat, there were no more challengers left for Chu Xinyue.

The Empress then declared, “Since there are no further challengers, I now announce—”

“From this day forward, Heroine Chu shall be the Martial Alliance Leader, the foremost figure in the martial world!”

“Of course, the martial world is vast, and cannot be governed by one person alone.”

“So, Heroine Chu will need capable assistants.”

Shortly after, several renowned martial figures were selected to serve under Chu Xinyue’s leadership.

From that moment on, the once-scattered martial world was united as one.

And by then… dusk had fallen.

Under the Empress’s arrangements, Chu Xinyue and the gathered martial world elites were temporarily housed in a place called Ziyun Pavilion within the imperial capital. The following day, discussions would begin on how to launch a crusade against the Demon Sect.

…

Nighttime. Ziyun Pavilion.

Everyone had settled in, including Ling Qi.

On the upper floor of one of the pavilions, Ling Qi sat on the railing, leaning against a pillar, sipping wine.

Chu Xinyue was seated on the balcony, her clear, beautiful eyes fixed on him.

“So… who exactly are you?”

She couldn’t help her curiosity anymore. Where had this Ling Qi come from? How could he possess such terrifying strength?

“Ling Qi.”

For the first time, Ling Qi gave his name.

Normally, he didn’t like telling these NPCs his name. But now that the game was nearing its end, leaving behind a name didn’t matter anymore.

Chu Xinyue had never heard of this person before, but now she remembered the name: Ling Qi.

“I believe now that you’re not some flower thief,” she said, “but you’re definitely a romantic drifter.”

Otherwise, how could the Princess have been taken down by him?

And it wouldn’t be just the Princess. There had to be many other women tangled up with him, and none of them were ordinary.

Ling Qi chuckled. That evaluation was, admittedly, fair.

“You lost to me on purpose earlier, didn’t you?” Chu Xinyue continued, “Why? Your strength clearly surpasses mine.”

“If I’d beaten you, wouldn’t I have to become Alliance Leader?”

Ling Qi smiled. “Then I’d have to take on the burden of the whole martial world. I’ve got better things to do.”

“Then why did you even get on the stage and fight me?” Chu Xinyue still didn’t understand.

“I told you. That Empress has other motives.” Ling Qi looked at Chu Xinyue and said, “By letting her know you have a friend like me, she won’t act against you so easily.”

Chu Xinyue fell into deep thought. Could it be that the Empress Jiang Ling really intended to use her? To eliminate both her and Ye Youluo… and then profit from the aftermath?

“You really love meddling in other people’s business,” Chu Xinyue muttered with a strange tone.

“Oh?” Ling Qi looked directly into her clear eyes. So… she had her own plans too?

“So everything you said earlier is true? This world is fake, and you really went to the Forbidden Demon Region?” she asked again.

Ling Qi smiled. “If you don’t believe me, why ask so many questions?”

“But I’m not some puppet. I have my own consciousness and perception,” Chu Xinyue said. “Why don’t you test me? The way you’d test a puppet?”

For example… give her a difficult problem. Puppets couldn’t think, right? They couldn’t solve hard questions.

Ling Qi smiled and shook his head. What was there to test? This NPC wasn’t written to be stupid. Of course she could reason through basic logic.

“What? You can’t think of anything?” Chu Xinyue stood up and stepped closer, looking at him.

Ling Qi jumped down from the railing, looked her in the eyes, and teased, “Kiss me, and I’ll believe you’re not a puppet.”

As soon as he said it, Chu Xinyue glared at him fiercely. What kind of test was that? Since when did kissing someone prove anything?

“You see? You can’t do it,” Ling Qi grinned. “A puppet like you wouldn’t behave in such a forward way.”

“Humans shouldn’t act lightly to begin with. How does that prove I’m a puppet?” Chu Xinyue argued. Who just goes around kissing people? Not kissing someone means she’s not real?

Ling Qi didn’t reply. There was no way to prove it. An NPC was an NPC—he understood it, and that was enough.

“Pick another one!” Chu Xinyue wasn’t ready to let it go. The idea that she was just a pre-set puppet was deeply uncomfortable… almost insulting. Of course she wanted to clear her name.

But Ling Qi had no plans to explain further. Things like this couldn’t be explained to an NPC.

He turned around and leaned against the railing. “Originally, Jiang Ling planned to apply a little pressure on everyone staying at Ziyun Pavilion tonight. But now… she’s scrapped her plan.”

Jiang Ling had arranged for all the martial world figures to stay at Ziyun Pavilion, then planned to poison them or launch a surprise attack, making everyone suffer. She wasn’t ready for all-out war just yet, and intended to weaken Chu Xinyue’s forces gradually—then shift the blame onto the Demon Sect’s Ye Youluo.

Unfortunately for her, now that she knew Ling Qi was present, those plans wouldn’t work.

Chu Xinyue leaned against the railing and softly asked, “So… you really are at the Supreme Limit Realm?”

Ling Qi smiled and nodded. “Keep it low-profile.”

Chu Xinyue glared at him again. Low-profile? With strength like that?

The Supreme Limit Realm… wasn’t that basically invincible?

“Then what you said about dying soon… that’s also true?” she asked.

“When I went to the Forbidden Demon Region, I was severely injured. I really don’t have much time left,” Ling Qi said with a bitter smile.

But there was no sorrow on his face.

If he died, he’d probably just get kicked out of the game. And while he did enjoy this world and even liked some of the NPCs, a fake world was still fake. He couldn’t stay here forever.

“What’s actually inside the Forbidden Demon Region?” Chu Xinyue asked curiously. “Are there Supreme Limit Realm beings there too?”

“No, but… even those at the Supreme Limit Realm wouldn’t gain much there,” Ling Qi shook his head. “The monsters inside are no joke.”

One-on-one, Ling Qi was unbeatable. But what about one against many? Hundreds or thousands of Heaven-Revering Realm monsters? Even a Supreme Limit Realm expert would struggle.

“Those monsters hiding in that forbidden land… I fear someday they’ll strike against the human race,” Chu Xinyue said quietly.

The Forbidden Demon Region was a looming threat to humanity.

“That’s why you all need to stop fighting among yourselves,” Ling Qi smiled. “Get along. Only unity can stand against those monsters.”

He needed Chu Xinyue and the others to stay united—not clash with each other.

“But some conflicts… are born to exist,” Chu Xinyue said with rare gravity.

Ling Qi tilted his head slightly, studying her delicate profile. This NPC… did she have a deeper story behind her?

Interesting.

Exploring game plots and NPC backstories was one of the most fun aspects of open-world games.

Just then, while Ling Qi and Chu Xinyue were chatting, a group of people approached from below.

Leading them was Princess Jiang Yao, followed by a retinue of palace maids.

“Your little girlfriend is here,” Chu Xinyue said with a light smile as she spotted Jiang Yao.

“Then what about you? The main girlfriend?” Ling Qi smiled too.

Chu Xinyue gave him a glance but said nothing more.

Since he had already called them friends, then for now, they were friends. As for the future… that could wait.

Though she now knew Ling Qi was someone impossible to read, she wasn’t yet inclined to develop romantic feelings for him.

Not when there were already so many women around him.

At that moment, Jiang Yao had reached the bottom of the building. She looked up at Ling Qi and Chu Xinyue above.

Her gaze locked onto Ling Qi as she pouted, “Where’s your explanation?”

She had expected him to come to the palace to find her. After waiting so long with no sign of him, she came herself.

If she hadn’t come, she truly feared she might never see him again.

She didn’t even know if anything he said was real anymore.

Ling Qi smiled and leapt down from the pavilion.

Under everyone’s stunned gazes, he walked up and pulled Jiang Yao into his arms.

“You—you—you… what are you doing?” Jiang Yao’s cheeks instantly turned red.

There were so many people watching!

The maids behind her were completely stunned.

This guy was really bold… hugging the Princess like that?

Just what exactly was the relationship between him and the Princess?

“Let’s talk in private.”

Ling Qi wrapped his arm around Jiang Yao and with a quick leap, carried her off toward his own residence.

“You…” Jiang Yao’s cheeks flushed bright red, flustered, but she didn’t resist. Instead, she turned back and told her maidservants, “You’re not allowed to tell anyone what you just saw. That includes my royal sister.”

“U-understood!” All the maids nodded slightly. Alright, it looked like the Princess’s relationship with this man was definitely unusual. Since she wanted to keep it secret, naturally they would stand by her.

…

Inside the room, Ling Qi brought Jiang Yao in and closed the door behind them. Then he let go of her and immediately began unbuttoning his clothes.

“You—what are you doing?!” Jiang Yao’s face grew even redder.

This scoundrel! He hadn’t even explained himself yet, and he thought she would just give in so easily?

But just as she thought he was about to do something indecent, she saw something that froze her in place.

Ling Qi yanked his shirt open, revealing his bare chest.

At the center of his chest was a wound—like a vertically split eye.

It was a sword wound.

Around the wound, strange markings spread out, glowing faintly with an aura of void-like light.

“My god… what is this?” Jiang Yao’s eyes widened in horror.

“A sword. A broken sword,” Ling Qi said.

Jiang Yao was even more shocked. She leaned in to examine it closely. “I don’t see anything. You mean… there’s a broken sword lodged inside your body, shattered into countless fragments that are now spreading throughout you?”

If it were just a broken sword, it could be removed. But if it had already disintegrated into endless fragments spreading through his body, then it was invisible—and impossible to extract.

“Exactly.” Ling Qi pulled his shirt back down.

That was why he was dying. He didn’t even know how much longer he had. A few years had already passed—how much longer he could last was anyone’s guess.

“This… how is this even possible?” Jiang Yao couldn’t believe it.

A sword shattered into fragments, spreading through his body—and he was still alive?

That was a fatal wound!

Just imagining it—fragments burrowing into every cell, every muscle, every meridian—how could anyone survive that?

“How did this happen?” Jiang Yao asked, her brow furrowed, filled with concern and heartache.

Even though she had been furious when Ling Qi left her the previous night, seeing him now, suffering such a wound, she couldn’t bring herself to stay angry. No matter what… he was still her man.

“I forced my way into the Forbidden Demon Region. This injury came from there,” Ling Qi replied with a smile.

Jiang Yao was stunned again. Wait… you went there alone?

Are you insane?

That place is practically a death trap!

Even when the Great Yan Empire sent 100,000 elite soldiers, none returned!

That place… is not somewhere anyone should ever go!

“So you really… don’t have long?” Jiang Yao’s voice trembled.

“I won’t last much longer. Maybe a year or two… maybe less.” Ling Qi gave a bitter smile and gently cupped Jiang Yao’s face in his hands. “That’s why I left yesterday. I knew… I wouldn’t be able to stay by your side forever.”

Hearing this and looking into his eyes, Jiang Yao’s own eyes instantly welled up with tears. “You bastard…”

Why didn’t you tell me sooner?

You could have told me. I would’ve understood.

If you couldn’t stay with me for a lifetime, then let me stay with you for yours!

Why did you decide everything for me?

She almost burst into tears. And she completely, unconditionally, believed Ling Qi’s explanation.

She sniffled softly, then grabbed his hand tightly. “Come with me to see the imperial physician. Right now.”

The Great Yan Empire’s royal physician was known as a miracle doctor. Maybe—just maybe—she could save Ling Qi.

“I already saw her when I followed you to the palace yesterday. She couldn’t help either,” Ling Qi shook his head.

That so-called miracle doctor was indeed skilled. But she had no cure for his kind of fatal injury.

Jiang Yao’s heart sank instantly.

Her eyes turned red again. “Then what do we do? I don’t want you to die. I don’t!”

She hugged Ling Qi tightly.

Now that everything had been said, she no longer resented him for leaving the night before. On the contrary, she had to find a way to keep him alive—to live on together.

Seeing Jiang Yao like this, Ling Qi gently wrapped his arms around her.

Even if she was just an NPC, her care felt real. She was genuinely worried about him.

“It’s alright. Life is short. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are things no one can avoid,” Ling Qi whispered.

Hearing that made Jiang Yao’s tears nearly fall.

What birth, aging, and death? You’re still young—how can you just accept dying?

“There has to be a way. I know there’s a way,” she choked up. “I… I’ll go ask my royal sister. She’ll definitely think of something.”

Yes, her sister was the Empress. There was nothing she couldn’t do.

She would find a way to save Ling Qi—or someone who could.

“Speaking of which… there’s something I want to discuss with your sister too,” Ling Qi said with a smile. “Let’s go. I’ll accompany you to the palace.”

“Mm!” Jiang Yao nodded quickly. Then the two of them headed off together toward the imperial palace.

…

Late night. Imperial palace’s main hall.

The Empress Jiang Ling sat atop the dragon throne, the catgirl by her side.

Lined up in front of her stood a group of masked men, every one of them with a blade at their waist and exuding a thick killing intent.

They were elite experts handpicked from the Great Yan Empire’s army—carefully prepared in advance.

Originally, the plan was to send them tonight disguised as members of the Demon Sect, to attack Chu Xinyue and the others at Ziyun Pavilion.

They wouldn’t be able to kill Chu Xinyue, but they could at least make them suffer a little—poison a few, maybe eliminate some dishonorable martial artists.

But now there was a problem.

Ling Qi had appeared among them.

And now she was hesitating. Should they still make a move?

If they acted—and Ling Qi handled all of them—her involvement would be exposed. Then what?

How would the world view her as Empress?

“Your Majesty?” one of the black-clad men stepped forward and cupped his fist.

Everyone was waiting. Should they proceed or not?

“The one who made Chu Xinyue draw her sword today—did you all see him?” Jiang Ling asked.

“Yes! We saw him!” they all nodded.

They’d been at the scene, after all.

“That man’s strength is unfathomable. He’s even stronger than Chu Xinyue,” Jiang Ling said. “With him at her side… it won’t be easy to act.”

Poison or sword—it wouldn’t work. That man’s strength was enough to handle this entire group on his own.

“Stronger than Chu Xinyue?” the black-clad men were stunned. “But didn’t he lose to her today?”

None of them were at the peak of the Heaven-Revering Realm, so they couldn’t see that Ling Qi had let her win.

“He lost on purpose,” Jiang Ling said coldly. “His strength is immeasurable, and his thoughts are difficult to predict. I suspect he already sees through my plan.”

Everyone was shocked again.

The Empress had only shared her plan to deal with Chu Xinyue and the Demon Sect with her most trusted inner circle.

How could that man have sensed anything?

“Don’t act rashly for now,” Jiang Ling decided after a pause.

If that man was prepared, acting recklessly might backfire.

“Investigate him. I want to know exactly who he is and everything about his past,” she ordered. “Only once we understand Ling Qi, can we move against him. And only after he’s handled… can we touch Chu Xinyue and the others.”

“Yes!” the black-clad men all nodded.

Jiang Ling gestured, and the group quietly withdrew.

Only she and the catgirl remained in the hall.

“Your Majesty, that Ling Qi… he’s even stronger than Heroine Chu?” the catgirl finally asked. Even she was a little surprised now.

Ling Qi was really that powerful?

Above peak Heaven-Revering Realm?

Was he at the Supreme Limit Realm?

No such person had appeared in the world until now.

Was he invincible?

Were transmigrators all Children of Destiny?

Just like the novels from his world?

“Ling Qi? You know his name? You know him?” Jiang Ling turned to the catgirl.

The catgirl froze, then quickly shook her head. “Not exactly. I… I met him once years ago. Back then, he didn’t have any cultivation at all.”

“Oh?” Jiang Ling narrowed her eyes. “Then tell me—what kind of person is he?”

“That…” The catgirl didn’t know how to answer.

She didn’t know what kind of person Ling Qi was. Only that… he was a transmigrator.

“I don’t know what kind of person he is,” she said softly. “But… back when he had no cultivation, I tricked him once.”

“If he remembers me, he probably won’t let me off.”

Jiang Ling smiled faintly. “You tricked him? Not bad—you managed to deceive someone at the Supreme Limit Realm?”

“Long story…” the catgirl laughed nervously.

She’d meant well. She only wanted him to live well in this world. But if he knew the truth—that she was the one who brought him here—then she’d be in trouble.

“Royal sister!” a voice called from outside.

Ling Qi and Jiang Yao walked through the main hall doors.

Seeing Ling Qi enter the palace, Jiang Ling’s eyebrows arched slightly.

She was just about to begin investigating him—and now he came to her?

Also… what exactly was his relationship with her little sister?

The catgirl was shocked too. Why had he come to the palace again, this late at night?

Was he here… for her?

“Royal sister, let me introduce him,” Jiang Yao said, then frowned slightly. She didn’t know how to explain it.

How should she describe her relationship with Ling Qi?

“He’s your man?” Jiang Ling asked directly.

“Ah—” Jiang Yao’s face turned red. But she didn’t deny it.

Yes, Ling Qi was her man. Even if he was dying, he was still hers.

Since her sister had guessed it, she might as well admit it.

“If you must put it that way, then yes,” Ling Qi said with a gentle smile.

Jiang Ling’s face cooled instantly.

Jiang Yao panicked slightly and tugged at Ling Qi’s sleeve. “Watch your words,” she whispered. “That’s the Empress of the Great Yan Empire… my sister. You should at least address her as ‘Your Majesty.’ Calling her ‘you’ might get you executed.”

Even the catgirl was stunned. This guy not only lived well—he was downright arrogant. Acting this boldly in front of the Empress?

Jiang Ling slowly stood from her dragon throne, gazing down at Ling Qi from above.

She seemed intent on displaying her imperial authority—reminding him that no one could disrespect her.

Ling Qi smiled faintly and said, “Let’s talk… just the two of us. It’s about the martial world and the Demon Sect.”

Jiang Ling’s eyes narrowed. So he had come specifically to talk to her?

She replied calmly, “Yao Yao, step outside.”

“Okay…” Jiang Yao still wanted to talk more about her relationship with Ling Qi, but seeing they had serious business, she nodded and left quietly.

“Be careful. Don’t anger her,” she whispered to Ling Qi before walking out.

Jiang Ling waved her hand. The catgirl bowed slightly, ready to leave as well.

“She stays,” Ling Qi suddenly said.

The catgirl’s heart trembled.

Damn it. He really did come for me!

Did he recognize me?

Impossible. In his memory, she should’ve only been a little black cat. No way he could connect her to her human form.

“Your Majesty…” the catgirl shot a pleading glance toward Jiang Ling.

Please don’t make me stay. If he recognizes me, I’m doomed.

Jiang Ling looked at her, then at Ling Qi.

She nodded calmly. “You stay.”

The catgirl’s heart sank.

She was doomed.

Ling Qi raised his hand and waved. The palace doors closed silently.

From now on, this conversation would be for the three of them alone.

Then, step by step, Ling Qi walked toward the high platform.

Seeing this, Jiang Ling frowned and said coldly, “You’d better not overstep your bounds!”

To ascend the platform without her permission? That was already a capital offense—if not for his unusual strength, he’d already be dead.

Ling Qi ignored Jiang Ling’s warning and stepped forward, coming directly in front of her. Then, he shifted again and stood before the catgirl.

Suddenly, he leaned in close, their foreheads nearly touching.

“Tell me… do we know each other?” he asked with a playful smile, eyes locked on the catgirl.

What intrigued him now was this catgirl’s origin—could she be his system?

The catgirl panicked, quickly stepping back. “N-no! I don’t know you! Why would I know you?”

“Is that so?” Ling Qi raised a hand and patted her head, then began toying with her black cat ears. “You’re a demon, aren’t you?”

“S-sort of!” The catgirl nodded obediently. Her ears twitched as he teased them—it was ticklish…

“In your cat form… you’re a little black cat, right?” Ling Qi asked.

Panic filled her face. Damn, he was seriously suspicious now. If he figured her out, she’d be done for!

“N-no! I’m a calico—black and white mixed!” she lied hastily.

Jiang Ling frowned. She knew full well that the catgirl’s transformed form was a small black cat. But now she was clearly lying to Ling Qi. That could only mean they did know each other—and she was afraid of him.

“Really? Show me then,” Ling Qi said.

“Uh…” The catgirl froze, her face filled with dread. If she transformed, wouldn’t that expose everything?

“W-why should I show you?” she stiffened her neck and blurted out.

If she changed forms now, she’d be exposed for sure. No way she’d let that happen.

“What are you afraid of?” Ling Qi kept his gaze fixed on her. “Or are you hiding something?”

“I-I’m not!” she insisted, though her voice lacked confidence.

“No?” Seeing her like this, Ling Qi became even more certain—she might really be his system.

But… that didn’t make sense. Since when did a system run away from its host? And serve someone else?

If she was his system, why was she working as someone else’s maid?

If she had to serve someone, shouldn’t it be him?

“I belong to Her Majesty… you’d better not get reckless!” the catgirl stammered, using Jiang Ling as her shield.

She didn’t know that with Ling Qi, no shield would protect her.

Ling Qi smiled and let it go—for now.

He turned slowly and walked up to Jiang Ling’s dragon throne.

Under the Empress and the catgirl’s stunned gaze, he casually laid himself down on it. Then, taking out his wine flask from his waist, he looked completely at ease. “Jiang Ling, you’re planning to get rid of both Ye Youluo and Chu Xinyue, aren’t you?”

Seeing him so arrogant, lying on her throne, Jiang Ling didn’t answer.

Instead, she coldly said, “Are you courting death?”

He dared to lie on her throne?

And call her by name?

Capital crimes!

From the moment he stepped into this hall, he’d already committed enough to warrant execution.

This man… was completely unrestrained.

“I’m already close to death,” Ling Qi said lazily, smiling. “But while I’m still alive… no one can take my life. That includes you—and you know it.”

He might be dying, injured by that broken sword in his chest.

But he was still at the Supreme Limit Realm.

Not even the Empress could kill him. No one could.

“So what if you’re Supreme Limit Realm? Do you think you can challenge my entire empire?” Jiang Ling said coldly.

The Great Yan Empire was vast, filled with powerful cultivators, with an army of a million.

Surely they could overcome a single man, no matter how strong.

“If I call Chu Xinyue and the Demon Sect to my side… wouldn’t your empire be finished?” Ling Qi said with a grin.

Jiang Ling’s face turned even colder.

Was this a threat?

She stepped forward and snapped, “Get up!”

That seat was hers—no one was allowed to touch it, not even dream of it.

And now he was lying on it like it was his own. She couldn’t allow it.

Ling Qi sat up, shifted over, and patted the other side of the throne. “Come on, it’s wide enough for two.”

“You!” Jiang Ling’s chest heaved with fury.

Was he not only eyeing her throne—but also her?

“Don’t get so worked up. I’m not trying to steal it from you,” Ling Qi said casually. “If I wanted to take it, you wouldn’t be the Empress anymore.”

With his strength, he could’ve taken the throne of the Great Yan Empire long ago.

But he didn’t care for it. He wanted Jiang Ling to remain the ruler.

Because only when she sat on that throne did she truly shine—as the queen he found fascinating.

Jiang Ling clenched her fists, barely holding back her rage.

She asked, “Who exactly are you? And what’s your relationship with Yao Yao?”

“I’m just me. And as for Yao Yao… she’s my woman,” Ling Qi said with a smile. “Of course, she’s not the only one.”

That was the last straw.

Jiang Ling couldn’t bear it anymore.

“You really are seeking death!”

She shouted furiously, raising her jade-white hand and sending a palm strike toward him.

She’d had enough.

But her palm never landed.

Ling Qi grabbed her wrist mid-air, dissolving her spiritual pressure completely.

“I might seek death—but I won’t die. If anyone’s in danger of dying, it’s you.”

Still holding her wrist, Ling Qi stood up.

Then, with his free hand, he gently lifted her delicate chin. “I don’t like using force on women… unless I have no choice.”

His provocative move sent Jiang Ling into a blaze of fury.

She raised her other hand and tried to slap him again.

But he caught that wrist too.

She struggled, but couldn’t break free.

“Why not call for help?” Ling Qi leaned in, face inches from hers. “Let’s see—will your guards get to me first, or will I ‘settle’ things with you first?”

Jiang Ling’s golden eyes burned with rage.

But deep down, she knew—she couldn’t win.

She now fully understood. Ling Qi really was Supreme Limit Realm.

With that kind of strength, even if she summoned every expert in the palace, they wouldn’t stop him.

He could kill her and still walk away unscathed.

And if others saw her being treated like this… it would be humiliating.

Watching from the side, the catgirl was stunned.

This guy was seriously insane. She had never seen anyone this arrogant in front of the Empress.

He was the first man to ever provoke Her Majesty like this.

The Empress stood above all others. No man had ever dared touch her—let alone flirt with her.

But the catgirl had no power to intervene. She could only watch helplessly.

“I came to talk, not to fight,” Ling Qi finally let go of Jiang Ling and leaned back onto the throne again.

Jiang Ling restrained herself. She now understood—fighting him would only end in her defeat.

But that only unsettled her more.

With a man like him in the world… could her empire truly be safe?

“What do you want to talk about?” Jiang Ling asked coldly.

Let’s see what this man really wanted.

“I can ensure you stay on your throne forever. I can protect the Great Yan Empire for generations to come,” Ling Qi said with a calm smile. “Isn’t that what you want? People like me—either serve you… or die.”

But Jiang Ling couldn’t kill him. So of course, her greatest hope was that he would serve her.

Hearing this, Jiang Ling’s golden eyes narrowed.

Yes. That was exactly what she wanted—for Ling Qi to be her ally.

“And what do you want in return?” she asked.

He couldn’t possibly be helping her for free.

No one that powerful would work without a price.

“Whatever I want in the future… you’ll give it to me,” Ling Qi said lightly. “But for now…”

“You want Yao Yao?” Jiang Ling finished for him.

She continued, “Yao Yao is free to love whoever she wishes. As long as she chooses you and you’re worthy, I won’t object.”

As her elder sister, she would protect her.

If her sister truly loved someone and he was qualified, she wouldn’t stop it.

And in terms of strength, Ling Qi had no shortcomings.

If both sides liked each other, she would accept it.

“No, no…” Ling Qi shook his head. “She’s already mine. Doesn’t matter who agrees or not.”

Jiang Ling’s brows furrowed.

So… this bastard had already done that with her sister?

And her sister had fallen for his sweet words?

Still… as long as he was willing to take responsibility, it wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

Especially since what was done couldn’t be undone.

“What else do you want?” she asked. “Gold? Power? I can give you both.”

Clearly, she wanted him on her side badly.

And if he agreed to work for her, no price was too great.

But Ling Qi shook his head.

What would he do with gold or power in a game world?

It was worthless.

“What I want right now… is her.” He pointed at the catgirl.

He wanted this cute little thing. He needed to confirm if she really was his system.

If she was—why was she avoiding him?

“You want… me?” the catgirl paled instantly.

No, please no. Your Majesty, don’t give me to him!

If he finds out my true identity, I’m doomed.

Catgirls are cute—you can’t just feed them to wolves!

“Your Majesty…” the catgirl looked at Jiang Ling with pleading eyes.

Her fate rested in the Empress’s hands.

Jiang Ling looked at her, then turned her gaze back to Ling Qi. “She’s my personal attendant. Pick someone else.”

First, she truly liked this little catgirl.

She was the perfect maid.

Second, the catgirl was clearly terrified of Ling Qi and hoped the Empress would protect her.

So she would.

The catgirl looked grateful and nodded. Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you!

“I want her. Only her,” Ling Qi refused to back down.

The more they refused, the more suspicious he became.

The more it proved… she really might be his system.

So, no matter what, there was absolutely no way he would let her go!

Jiang Ling frowned and said, “What do you want her for? Just because she’s a special catgirl? Are you seriously going to fight me over one maid?”

Ling Qi replied with a calm smile, “I have my own reasons. Either you hand her over to me, or… I’ll stand against you!”

He looked directly at her and continued, “You should be very clear—if I become your enemy, your empire will soon disappear into the long river of history.”

This wasn’t a negotiation. It was absolute. No matter what, he had to have this catgirl. Jiang Ling had no choice but to agree.

The catgirl looked completely helpless. At this moment, she didn’t know what to do. If she stayed with Ling Qi, she might die. But if she refused him, the empire would fall, and in the end, she would still fall into Ling Qi’s hands. What could she do?

Jiang Ling’s golden eyes locked onto Ling Qi’s face. For a moment, even she didn’t know how to respond. Someone like Ling Qi becoming an enemy would be a major headache. He definitely had the ability to destroy her entire empire.

Jiang Ling finally said, “Help me with something first. Once it’s done… I’ll hand her over to you. If you fail… you can’t blame anyone else.”

Ling Qi gave a faint smile and said, “Even if I take her by force, you wouldn’t be able to resist. There’s no room for negotiation.”

He was determined to have this catgirl. Jiang Ling couldn’t escape it no matter what reason she gave.

Hearing that, Jiang Ling had no choice. She looked toward the catgirl.

Sensing her gaze, the catgirl quickly said, “I… I’d rather die than give in!”

That was the only way she could refuse him. Unless Her Majesty agreed, she would rather die.

Now, Her Majesty had a reason to refuse Ling Qi—as long as he failed to complete her assigned task.

Ling Qi sighed and shook his head, “Fine. What do you want me to do?”

As he spoke, he stood up and raised his hand, tapping his finger between the catgirl’s eyebrows.

Buzz!

A surge of aura entered her body.

“Just in case you run, or she tries to hide you,” Ling Qi said with a smirk.

Now that he had left a mark on her, she wouldn’t be able to escape.

The catgirl was speechless. Was he really that cautious? Afraid she would run? Or that Her Majesty might hide her?

But… Ling Qi was right to be cautious. She had indeed planned to run while he was helping the Empress. She never wanted to appear in front of him again.

Ling Qi sat back down on the dragon throne and said, “So, what is it that you want me to do?”

He looked completely at ease, like he was the true emperor in front of Jiang Ling, unrestrained and commanding.

Jiang Ling had gotten used to his unbridled nature by now. She took a deep breath and said, “Chu Xinyue carries a dragon-shaped jade pendant. I want you to retrieve it for me.”

Ling Qi raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You really want to make an enemy of Chu Xinyue?”

“You said you’d help me. Then don’t ask too much,” Jiang Ling said coldly. “Once it’s done, I’ll give you everything you want.”

“I need to ask clearly,” Ling Qi smiled. “I only promised to help you stabilize your empire. I didn’t agree to anything and everything. What if you ask me to do something inhumane?”

“Getting me the pendant is part of stabilizing the empire,” Jiang Ling said in a deep voice. “This isn’t some wicked or immoral task.”

“Will this cause her any loss?” Ling Qi asked slowly. “I’m her friend now, you know.”

Jiang Ling frowned and asked, “Are you helping or not? If you refuse, forget about ever getting Xiao Chan!”

“Xiao… Chan?” Ling Qi turned to the catgirl. Was that her name?

Xiao Chan pressed her lips together. That was indeed her name. She didn’t have one originally—Jiang Ling had taken her in and named her that, because she acted like a greedy little kitten when they first met.

Ling Qi said, “I can help you, but on one condition—you can’t hurt Chu Xinyue or Ye Youluo.”

Jiang Ling’s frown deepened. She could understand protecting Chu Xinyue, since they were friends. But what did Ye Youluo have to do with him?

“Don’t tell me that female demon is your friend too?” Jiang Ling asked in a cold voice.

Ling Qi chuckled, “Not yet. We haven’t even met. But in the future… who knows? We might become more than just friends.”

Jiang Ling’s expression darkened as she stared at Ling Qi. What kind of nonsense was going on in this guy’s head? What was he planning?

She took a deep breath and returned to the main issue.

“Whenever something is done, someone loses, and someone gains,” she said calmly. “That jade pendant belongs to Chu Xinyue. If you take it, of course, she’ll suffer a loss.”

“But it won’t cause her any physical harm. And it’s not an immoral act.”

That dragon-shaped jade pendant was Chu Xinyue’s personal item. Jiang Ling had always wanted it to unlock a door she had never been able to open.

While it wouldn’t harm Chu Xinyue directly, it would still cause her a loss.

“Tsk…” Ling Qi squinted slightly and nodded.

Alright. Even though taking what someone treasures wasn’t something he liked doing, he had to find out whether this catgirl was really his system. For that, he’d have to inconvenience Chu Xinyue for now. He could make it up to her later… or not. After all, they were just NPCs. If he liked them, he’d treat them well. If not, it didn’t matter…

“She always keeps it on her. It’s more important than her sword,” Jiang Ling said. “Getting it won’t be easy.”

“That’s not something you need to worry about,” Ling Qi said with a smirk.

If it was something he wanted, then he would definitely get it.

“Just remember what I said. I’ll help you secure your throne, but you can’t hurt Chu Xinyue,” Ling Qi said.

He needed Jiang Ling, Chu Xinyue, and Ye Youluo to coexist peacefully. Not just for himself—but for the sake of all humans.

After all, the Forbidden Demon Region was filled with countless monsters watching the human race closely.

Jiang Ling took another deep breath and said, “I won’t harm her. But what if she tries to harm me?”

Ling Qi’s eyes narrowed slightly.

What kind of nonsense was that?

Someone like Chu Xinyue—how could she possibly harm Jiang Ling?

“Do you know Chu Xinyue’s true identity?” Jiang Ling asked.

“She has another identity?” Ling Qi clearly had no idea. It probably had to do with her backstory.

“She’s a Princess from the former dynasty,” Jiang Ling said. “Her imperial father… was killed by mine.”

Ling Qi was shocked.

So, the two of them were… enemies by blood?

“So, you’re planning to strike first?” Ling Qi chuckled.

Whether it was Jiang Ling or Chu Xinyue, both had their own hidden agendas.

And his appearance had disrupted both of their plans.

“Now that you’ve promised to help me stabilize the empire for generations to come,” Jiang Ling said, her golden eyes fixed on him, “if Chu Xinyue tries to take my throne, will you help her or help me?”

Chu Xinyue was his friend, so he should logically help her. But he had also just promised to help Jiang Ling stabilize the empire. Surely he wouldn’t break his word on the spot?

“Tsk… That’s a bit troublesome,” Ling Qi said with a smile, shaking his head.

Who should he help?

It felt like he should help both… but also like he shouldn’t help either.

Why did they have to be enemies?

“You think she became the Martial Alliance Leader just to help me wipe out the Demon Sect?” Jiang Ling said. “You don’t know what her real goal is!”

Ling Qi muttered softly, “A fairy as beautiful as her—how could she possibly have bad intentions?”

“What kind of idiotic reasoning is that?” Jiang Ling glared at him.

Just because she was pretty, he trusted her unconditionally? Believed she was completely good?

What about her? Was she not beautiful too? Why didn’t he say she couldn’t possibly have bad intentions?

Ling Qi grinned and said, “Alright then. I’ll go talk to her. Wait here, I’ll be right back.”

With that, he walked down from the high platform.

Jiang Ling frowned, “You’re going to get the pendant from her right now?”

Couldn’t he think it through first?

Was he really just going like that?

“Then what else?” Ling Qi shrugged.

Jiang Ling was speechless. Fine, even if he couldn’t trick Chu Xinyue into handing over the jade pendant, if he were to simply snatch it by force, he would likely still succeed.

“Wait!” Just then, Jiang Ling suddenly thought of something.

Ling Qi turned back to look at her, “What else do you need to say?”

Her golden eyes fixed on him as she slowly asked, “What you said earlier… about you dying soon—what did you mean?”

Ling Qi simply smiled and waved his hand, “Ask Yao Yao. She knows.”

With that, he walked straight out of the main hall.

At that moment, Jiang Yao was sitting on the stone steps, holding her head in her hands, quietly waiting. When she noticed Ling Qi coming out, she quickly got up and asked, “Have you two decided?”

“More or less. I’m heading to Ziyun Pavilion for a bit. I’ll be back soon,” Ling Qi said with a light smile before leaping away.

“Hey…” Jiang Yao hadn’t even gotten a chance to say anything before Ling Qi disappeared from her sight. All she could do was stomp her foot in frustration. That idiot… what’s the rush? They hadn’t even let her sister think of a way to save him yet.

“Yao Yao!” Just then, Jiang Ling came out of the main hall, bringing Xiao Chan along.

“Big sister, just now… what did you two talk about?” Jiang Yao asked curiously.

Jiang Ling only sighed, “Nothing much.”

Then she asked, “Yao Yao, he said… he’s dying. Is it true?”

“It… it is!” Jiang Yao pouted. “Big sister, he once went alone to the Forbidden Demon Region and was seriously injured, so now he’s dying.”

Jiang Ling was stunned. “The Forbidden Demon Region?”

He actually went to that forbidden place and came back alive?

“What kind of injury?” Jiang Ling asked.

“A sword broke inside his body!” Jiang Yao replied.

“A sword?” Jiang Ling was even more shocked. A thought flashed in her mind and she asked quickly, “What sword?”

“I don’t know. But that broken sword is spreading inside him. He won’t live long.”

Jiang Yao looked heartbroken. “Big sister, please think of a way to save him. He can’t die. I… I don’t want him to die.”

But Jiang Ling’s mind was focused on something else. If Ling Qi really went to the Forbidden Demon Region and ended up with a broken sword lodged in his body, then… he might be the one that the old Grand Advisor of the Great Yan Empire once prophesied about.

Beside her, Xiao Chan was also stunned.

That guy went to the Forbidden Demon Region alone? And came back alive?

Why would he go to such a place?

Could it be that… he really thought this world was just a game?

Thinking about it, it made sense. If it’s a game world, then of course he’d want to explore every map.

Damn it. He was gravely injured and dying. In a way… wasn’t it her fault?

He probably didn’t care about his life at all—just thought of it as a game character’s life. Once dead, just log out.

No, no! She had to find a way to tell him the truth!

But the problem was… if she told him everything, wouldn’t he hate her?

What should she do now?

…

On the other side, at Ziyun Pavilion in the capital.

Ling Qi came and went like the wind.

Under the moonlight, Chu Xinyue stood quietly on the balcony of her pavilion. Dressed in white, with the breeze lifting her robes, she looked like a fairy under the moon.

Swoosh!

In an instant, Ling Qi landed beside her.

Chu Xinyue smiled softly, “What, you’re not spending the night in the Princess’s chambers?”

Why had he returned alone?

Wouldn’t it be better to cuddle with the soft and sweet Princess at night?

Did the Empress object and kick him out?

“I’ll go later,” Ling Qi said with a light smile, then leaned against the railing, looking at Chu Xinyue. “Can you… do me a favor?”

“A favor?” Chu Xinyue looked at him curiously.

How could someone at the Supreme Limit Realm need help?

If even someone like him couldn’t handle it, who else could?

“I want to borrow something,” Ling Qi said.

“Oh? What is it?” Chu Xinyue asked with growing curiosity. What did she have that he would want?

“You have a… dragon-shaped jade pendant, don’t you?” Ling Qi finally asked.

The gentle expression on Chu Xinyue’s pretty face instantly disappeared, replaced by a seriousness she had never shown before.

Her clear eyes locked onto Ling Qi, “Who told you that?”

She had never revealed her background to anyone. How did Ling Qi know?

That jade pendant was left by her imperial father—it was a key!

“Jiang Ling,” Ling Qi didn’t hide it. “She’s known your identity for a long time. So… no matter what you’re planning, it likely won’t end well.”

Hearing this, a heavy expression crept over Chu Xinyue’s face.

The Empress already knew her real identity?

But she still chose to cooperate and let her become the Martial Alliance Leader?

It seemed just as Ling Qi said—Jiang Ling was planning to use the Demon Sect’s hands to eliminate her.

“So… she’s the one who wants my pendant?” Chu Xinyue asked.

Since Jiang Ling knew her identity, she obviously knew about the pendant too. That pendant was the key to opening a sealed gate.

“Yes. I made a deal with her,” Ling Qi admitted.

“Ling Qi!” Chu Xinyue’s tone turned stern as she stared at him. “Anything else, I could lend you. Even if I don’t know you well. But this pendant… absolutely not!”

It was her father’s gift. It belonged to the Chu family.

She would never hand it over. She would never allow anyone to open that sealed gate.

“You’re making this really hard for me,” Ling Qi clicked his tongue.

To find out whether that catgirl was his system, he had to get the pendant.

“How about this—lend me the pendant, and I’ll grant you one request. Anything you want,” Ling Qi offered.

“Anything?” Chu Xinyue asked, then said, “Fine. Then promise me this—you’ll never think about taking my pendant again.”

Ling Qi frowned. Who taught her to trap people with logic like that?

He sighed and stood beside her, watching the night view of the capital. “Be honest. What do you think of the Great Yan Empire?”

“You don’t need to tell me all this,” Chu Xinyue said. “Even if the Great Yan Empire is great, this is a separate matter.”

“Then what are your plans?” Ling Qi asked. “Restoration? If so, the world will fall into chaos.”

“I never said I wanted to restore the nation,” Chu Xinyue replied seriously. “But what belongs to me, I won’t give to others.”

The former dynasty—her father’s reign—wasn’t exactly glorious. People called him a tyrant. The world rebelled, and Jiang Ling’s father paid a steep price to overthrow him and became Emperor. Not long after, he died, and Jiang Ling inherited the throne.

Chu Xinyue knew in her heart there wasn’t much enmity between her and Jiang Ling. Their fathers were gone. That hatred belonged to the past.

She never intended to restore the dynasty. Even if she revealed her identity, the world wouldn’t accept her. After all, she was the daughter of a tyrant.

But some things… she had to reclaim.

They were her ancestors’ legacy.

“Let me guess,” Ling Qi said. “That pendant is a key? It opens some forbidden ground of the former dynasty. Inside, there’s some kind of secret treasure? And you don’t want Jiang Ling to have it?”

Chu Xinyue didn’t answer—but her silence was confirmation.

Yes. She accepted that the throne belonged to whoever was capable. Jiang Ling was more suited to be Emperor than her. After all, she’d been on the throne for a long time. Chu Xinyue had lived in the martial world.

But the treasure left by her ancestors—she could never hand that over.

That was hers. It could only belong to her.

“What’s the treasure?” Ling Qi asked. “Tell me. If it’s truly important, I won’t help her.”

So what if he went back on his word? They were just NPCs.

“A cultivation manual!”

Chu Xinyue answered honestly, “A cultivation manual that can help one reach the Supreme Limit Realm.”

As soon as she said that, Ling Qi laughed. He immediately reached out his hand and said, “Then give me the jade pendant. That kind of thing doesn’t exist in there.”

“Why? You’ve been inside?” Chu Xinyue frowned slightly.

“Of course not, but I can tell you clearly—there’s no such thing as a cultivation manual that leads to the Supreme Limit Realm,” Ling Qi said confidently. “If you want to reach the Supreme Limit Realm, no manual or secret art will help you.”

He was already at the Supreme Limit Realm himself, so he spoke with certainty.

Chu Xinyue frowned. Ling Qi had reached that level, so logically, she should trust what he said. But… without seeing it for herself, she couldn’t accept it.

Her father had told her since she was young that what was inside could help a cultivator reach that realm.

“I can’t give it to you. Unless… I see it with my own eyes,” Chu Xinyue said firmly.

“Tsk… why won’t you listen?” Ling Qi frowned.

He really was at the Supreme Limit Realm—everything he said was the truth. If she insisted on being stubborn… he might really have to act.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Ling Qi said. “And you know, if I make a move, you won’t be able to resist.”

Upon hearing that, Chu Xinyue instinctively took a step back, widening the distance between them. Even so, she still refused to hand it over. She would protect her pendant with all her strength.

“I’ll compensate you. I swear on the heavens, is that enough?” Ling Qi looked at Chu Xinyue’s determined face. He truly didn’t want to hurt her.

“I don’t need compensation. I just want to keep what’s mine,” Chu Xinyue said sternly.

“Tsk…” Ling Qi exhaled helplessly and waved his hand. “Fine, fine. I’ll go ask Jiang Ling and see if she can back down a little.”

“I won’t take even one step back!” Chu Xinyue’s expression remained serious.

“Yeah, yeah, I got it.” Ling Qi waved her off and turned to leave.

Only then did Chu Xinyue breathe a sigh of relief. She had truly feared that Ling Qi would take the pendant by force. She knew full well that if he did, she couldn’t stop him even if she risked her life.

Swoosh!

Just then, as Chu Xinyue relaxed, Ling Qi suddenly turned back and struck her body with several precise taps.

Chu Xinyue was instantly immobilized, her face filled with shock. “You… what are you doing?”

This bastard—was he still going to take her pendant?

“Sorry. I know this pendant means a lot to you, but it’s just as important to me,” Ling Qi said as he looked at her helpless expression. “I promise, I’ll give you compensation worth far more.”

“I don’t want it! I don’t want anything!” Chu Xinyue was panicking. This pendant was her most treasured possession.

Now she couldn’t move. She was completely at his mercy.

“Sorry…” Ling Qi shook his head.

He did feel guilty about doing this to Chu Xinyue, but this was about his system—he had no choice. Besides, Chu Xinyue was just an NPC. She was likable, sure, but he couldn’t place her above his own needs.

Then, Ling Qi raised his hand and began searching her body.

“Ling Qi!!!” Chu Xinyue clenched her teeth, powerless to stop him.

He ignored her desperation and helplessness, reaching beneath her white dress to search.

When he found nothing, his gaze finally settled on her neck.

“Forgive me,” he said as he slowly reached for her collar.

Just as he thought—the dragon-shaped jade pendant was hanging around her neck.

Ling Qi took it off. It was warm to the touch, and faintly carried her scent.

“Ling Qi, don’t… give it back!” Chu Xinyue couldn’t move. She could only shout helplessly, eyes full of despair.

Her clear, beautiful eyes even began to mist up.

This pendant meant everything to her, and now she had to watch it be taken away.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Ling Qi did feel a pang of guilt. A gentle, kind, and powerful Heroine Chu—who had ever treated her this way?

Probably only he had dared to.

But he had no choice. This was necessary.

“I’ll be back soon. Until then, hang in there…” Ling Qi raised his hand and gently touched Chu Xinyue’s cheek, then turned and leapt away.

Chu Xinyue was left frozen on the balcony, shouting weakly, “Ling Qi, stop! Come back! Give it back… give it back…”

…

In the palace.

When Ling Qi returned to the main hall, he handed the jade pendant directly to Jiang Ling.

“You… actually got it just like that?” Jiang Ling looked at the pendant in surprise.

So fast?

“There’s nothing in there that helps you reach the Supreme Limit Realm. This pendant won’t be of any use to you,” Ling Qi said calmly.

Jiang Ling didn’t care. She’d still try it for herself.

“She’s mine now,” Ling Qi tossed the pendant and looked at Xiao Chan.

Xiao Chan’s heart trembled. It was over—really over now.

“What do you want her for?” Jiang Ling asked curiously while holding the pendant. “You want her to be your woman?”

“I just feel like… she knows me. And my instincts are rarely wrong,” Ling Qi said with a smile.

Xiao Chan’s face was filled with helplessness. She still hoped Her Majesty would intervene.

But Jiang Ling could no longer find a reason to.

And… Ling Qi wasn’t wrong. Xiao Chan really did know him.

Jiang Ling asked, “If there really is some unresolved matter between you and her, you wouldn’t hurt her, right?”

“Most likely not,” Ling Qi smiled, then grabbed Xiao Chan’s hand. “Goodbye!”

He turned and started walking out of the main hall with her.

“Wait!” Jiang Ling suddenly called out.

Ling Qi and Xiao Chan turned back. Xiao Chan’s face was filled with hope. Your Majesty, please save me!

“The wound in your body… the master of Imperial Physician Bai might be able to heal it,” Jiang Ling said softly. “But that old divine doctor disappeared many years ago. If you can find him, maybe you’ll live.”

She already knew about Ling Qi’s situation.

And she knew better than anyone—he had unknowingly prevented a great disaster.

Maybe not even Ling Qi realized it himself.

He was, in fact, a great hero. One whose name deserved to go down in history.

“Is that so?” Ling Qi smiled. “Thanks for the information.”

He said no more, turned, and left with Xiao Chan in tow.

Jiang Ling sat alone on the dragon throne.

After a moment, she withdrew her gaze, stood up, and walked toward the former dynasty’s sealed ground beneath the palace…

…

Ziyun Pavilion—Ling Qi really did return quickly.

At that moment, Chu Xinyue was still frozen on the balcony, unable to move.

Swoosh!

Ling Qi landed with Xiao Chan in front of her.

That’s when he saw two tear streaks running down Chu Xinyue’s face.

She had really cried.

Seeing her like this made Ling Qi feel a little guilty.

But he had no choice. This was about his system.

“Sorry,” Ling Qi said softly and released her acupoints.

Chu Xinyue could finally move, but she didn’t do anything.

She didn’t speak, didn’t even glance at him. She just turned, walked into her room, and shut the door.

Her attitude made it very clear—she didn’t accept any apology.

She knew her jade pendant was now in Jiang Ling’s hands.

It was gone. No apology could change that.

Ling Qi looked at her closed door and shook his head helplessly.

This NPC really knew how to pull at a player’s heart…

But that didn’t matter now.

What mattered was… his system was back.

Based on what Jiang Ling had said, Ling Qi could now almost fully confirm that this catgirl was indeed his system.

Xiao Chan was still full of confusion and surprise.

What happened? Why was Heroine Chu crying?

What did Ling Qi do to her?

How did he bully her like this?

“Let’s go,” Ling Qi exhaled, then took Xiao Chan to his room.

He closed the door. The room fell silent.

Ling Qi sat down and poured himself a cup of tea.

Then he said slowly, “If you’re really a little black cat, you don’t have to keep pretending.”

“I… I’m not!” Xiao Chan still denied it.

“If you’re not, then there’s no reason for you to live,” Ling Qi replied.

“Huh?” Xiao Chan looked confused. What was he going to do?

“You probably know—I went to the Forbidden Demon Region. Those monsters nearly killed me,” Ling Qi said. “I hate demons. And you’re a cat demon. As far as I’m concerned, if it’s a demon… I kill it on sight.”

He raised his hand.

Buzz!

The tea in the cup surged into the air, turning into countless sword beams that instantly surrounded Xiao Chan like spines on a hedgehog.

“You… you can’t do this! I have nothing to do with those monsters from the Forbidden Demon Region!” Xiao Chan pleaded, “I’ve never done anything bad. Never!”

“I don’t care what you’ve done. I just hate demons!” Ling Qi sneered as the sword aura closed in.

“No! Don’t! I… I’m innocent!” Xiao Chan was helpless. She was a kind catgirl—why did he hate her by association?

“However, if you can answer one question, I’ll spare your life,” Ling Qi said.

“What question?” Xiao Chan quickly clung to that lifeline.

Ling Qi thought of Jiang Ling and asked, “‘To return to Jiangling in a single day’… what’s the line before it?”

Xiao Chan’s heart skipped a beat.

Of course she knew he was testing her.

That was a poem from Ling Qi’s original world. If she answered it, her identity would be exposed.

But if she didn’t answer, she’d die!

“I’ll count to three. If you don’t answer, you no longer need to exist,” Ling Qi said coldly. “Three.”

“I…” Xiao Chan was panicking. What should she do?

“Two!” Ling Qi’s voice rang out again, shaking her heart.

She was completely lost—unsure of what to do, unable to decide.

Was he bluffing? Would he really kill her?

“One!”

As Ling Qi reached the final count, Xiao Chan still hadn’t spoken. He sneered and shook his head, “How boring. Goodbye.”

He swung his hand. The sword aura surged toward her, ready to turn her into a pincushion.

The sharp blades were nearly touching her skin.

Just as they were about to pierce her—

Xiao Chan shouted, “Departing from Baidi amidst colorful clouds!!!”

Buzz!

All the sword aura froze instantly.

The deadly blades hovered just a breath away from her skin.

A moment later and she would have died.

Hearing her answer, Ling Qi slowly stood up.

His deep, dark eyes stared straight at Xiao Chan.

“As expected… it’s you. My system!”