The Unfortunate Egg is Born
“Indeed, host, your position in ‘The Conquest of the Four Realms’ is the male protagonist’s first love who died many years ago,” a mechanical voice confirmed, causing Lin Qianshuang’s heart to tighten. As she listened, a cold sweat formed and goosebumps crawled across her back, the fear slowly creeping in.
This strange voice had first greeted her when she opened the office door, transporting her into the world of “Conquest of the Four Realms”. Lin Qianshuang, a hardworking designer used to battling clients, quickly regained control over her emotions. With calm eyes, she faced the ethereal voice, asking, “Who are you, and what is your purpose in bringing me here?”
“Right now, host, your focus should be on how to survive rather than questioning the system,” the voice replied, reminding her about the desperate situation. Lin Qianshuang had read the original work and knew the danger she faced. The killing formation meant for the Canglan Beast had been activated, and without finding a way to escape, she would meet the same fate as Senior Sister of the original text – trapped and killed together with the beast within the magic formation.
The monstrous Canglan Beast advanced towards Lin Qianshuang, its massive body looming. Its blood-filled mouth opened wide, ready to consume her.
With a start, she ran and leapt to evade its jaws, her thoughts filled with anxiety. “Big brother, we’re going to die here. Are you trying to have your last meal? But I assure you, I don’t taste good at all!”
Observing Lin Qianshuang’s futile attempts to escape, the system interjected, “Host, your natal sword lies at your feet.”
Her gaze followed the system’s prompt and found a high-grade spiritual sword, shimmering with an ethereal light. She quickly grabbed the sword, though her lack of cultivation rendered it useless. Damn, it was no different from scrap metal!
The Demon-Slaying Array gradually activated, pale golden lines emerging from the ground, rushing towards the inner circle.
The Canglan Beast, originally fixated on devouring Lin Qianshuang, halted in its tracks after sensing its predicament. Its hooves stamped anxiously on the ground, a threatening growl escaped its throat.
Lin Qianshuang gazed at the sudden change in the Canglan Beast’s behavior. Exhausted and gasping for breath, she also felt a profound weakness overtaking her body. Collapsing to the ground, she held the spiritual sword close to her chest, cautiously watching the Canglan Beast. Thoughts flew through her mind a million miles a minute as she tried to comprehend the situation.
Aware of the imminent eradication of everything within the Demon-Slaying Array, Lin Qianshuang didn’t wish to meet her end torn apart by the monster before her. She wanted to live!
Suddenly, the Canglan Beast turned around, locking eyes with her. In those blood-red irises, she detected a gaze so scrutinizing and meticulous that only humans possessed.
“Mortal, do you want to live?” a voice resonated within her consciousness, distinct from the system’s familiar tone. Lin Qianshuang realized it was the Canglan Beast communicating with her through her spiritual senses. But lacking knowledge in such communication, she didn’t know how to respond.
The Canglan Beast, uninterested in her actual reply, approached her directly. Lin Qianshuang recoiled and swung her spiritual sword, attempting to fend it off. To her surprise, the Canglan Beast didn’t attack, but instead, a purple light emitted from its jaws, presenting a magic core.
“Swallow it. The Demon-Slaying Array will incinerate our physical bodies, but your Yin constitution and exceptional spiritual roots can preserve your seven souls and six spirits,” the Canglan Beast revealed with a sincerity that radiated from its red eyes. It dropped the magic core into Lin Qianshuang’s hands.
Staring at the core and the imminent activation of the magic circle, Lin Qianshuang still couldn’t trust this fearsome beast. How could it offer her an elixir that it had cultivated for thousands of years, potentially saving her life?
The beast insisted, “I was framed. I want you to avenge me and kill the Demon Emperor. As long as they remain alive, the curse upon me won’t be broken. You’ll suffer the agony of being corroded into bones each month, as I have.”
Bound by the Canglan Beast’s gaze, Lin Qianshuang watched as its huge body slowly became transparent under the effects of the magic formation. “You don’t have to doubt me, because you have no choice.”
As Lin Qianshuang watched the beast slowly fade away, she felt her body pass through a raging fire, burning her body and soul from the outside in. Decomposition set in, threatening to obliterate her very being, obstructing her path to reincarnation.
Without hesitation, Lin Qianshuang swallowed the magic core, holding onto the desire to survive. A blinding light engulfed the Demon-Slaying Array, followed by a thunderous explosion as a corear of purple light pierced the heavens. The sun dimmed beneath the heavy clouds.
The Four Realms were alerted by the celestial event, and cultivators all over raised their gazes skyward, a foreboding feeling gnawing at their hearts. Something terrible had been born.
When the Demon-Slaying Array dissipated, leaving nothing in its wake, except a small, white, and tender egg. Vibrating with place, it tried to bounce and move.
If there was anyone in the area who understood animal language, they might have heard the following exclamations, “How did this happen? What happened to my body, my face, my mouth, and my eyes? I don’t even have a mouth or eyes anymore?”
Lin Qianshuang’s mind whirled in confusion as she rolled on the ground. She had transformed into a spherical entity devoid of sight, unable to speak, relying solely on her divine consciousness to communicate.
“Host,” the system’s voice emerged as Lin Qianshuang grappled with her unexpected transformation. She halted her aimless movements and asked, “What happened to me? What is the current situation?”
“Your soul has merged with the magic core, forming a magic egg,” the system replied.
An… egg?
Lin Qianshuang almost passed out. After all her years of living, she had transformed into an egg. Other unlucky transmigrated characters she had read about would at least remain human, but she had lost even that semblance of humanity.
The soft white egg seemingly ceased its movements on the ground, lying deflated.
The system chimed again, “Host, don’t pretend to be dead, please face your new life as an egg bravely.”
Depressed, Lin Qianshuang stood up. Or rather, she attempted to stand up, bouncing clumsily instead. Resolute, she uttered, “How can I become human again?”
“Such matters surpass the system’s comprehension,” the system admitted. “Your purpose is to save and conquer the harem heroine of ‘Conquest of the Four Realms’. Once accomplished, you will return to your original world. Other issues lie beyond our consideration.”
What’s the deal with this system? It’s useless!
Lin Qianshuang scoffed, lurching forward in her round form. She contemplated the revelation that she would need to hatch from her egg shell, much like the oviparous creatures. But how could she accomplish such a feat?
As she traversed Tianfu Mountain, a place teeming with monsters and spirits, Lin Qianshuang’s spirits lifted. Perhaps she could find another transformed human being to gain insight into this predicament.
Under the shade of the ancient trees, a woman clad in stunning red robes sat gracefully upon the thick branches of a century-old tree. She played with a red bone flute, the fiery red veils at her waist fluttering in the air as her fair, slender legs swayed. A distinctive charm emanated from her every movement.
Han Shengyao, the Saint of the Jiuchong Demon Palace, witnessed the celestial anomaly and had been sent by the Demon Emperor to investigate its cause. She combed through Tianfu Mountain, her search proving fruitless until she unexpectedly discovered a jumping magic egg beneath a tree.
Ordinary monsters would guard their unhatched eggs to protect them from coveting eyes, considering them a precious tonic. However, this magic egg had apparently hopped away from its birthing monster, venturing alone into the perilous Tianfu Demon Forest abundant with dangerous creatures.
Fascinated by the fearless magic egg leaping about without caution, Han Shengyao observed the spectacle with deep eyes, her lips curling into a slight smile. This little creature was truly intriguing.
In the forest, lurking monsters timidly peeked out and drooled, their attention fixated on the chattering magic egg. Feeling Han Shengyao’s potent demonic energy pervade the area, however, they refrained from acting rashly, waiting for her to make her move.
The round magic egg hopped closer to one of the monsters on its tiptoes. Lured by the tempting fragrance, the monster could no longer resist. It extended its fangs and sprang from the shrubbery, pouncing towards the egg.
Lin Qianshuang, walking through the grass in puzzlement, saw no signs of any spirits despite her long journey. Could it be that the novels she had read were lies? Were there no such monsters in Tianfu Mountain?
Suddenly, from behind, a burst of demonic energy wafted towards her. Had someone of the same kind finally appeared? Was there hope for her return to humanity?
With elation, Lin Qianshuang bounced joyfully on the ground, planning to greet her fellow transformed creature for easier communication. But in the next second, she felt something was wrong. This aura threatened danger.
As slime dripped onto her smooth shell, Lin Qianshuang realized that this presence emanated hostility. Unable to see her surroundings due to her lack of eyes, she evaded based on her perception of demonic energy.
Seeing that a monster was attempting to attack the magic egg, other monsters prepared to strike, but were swiftly deterred by the powerful demonic pressure emitted by Han Shengyao.
Intrigued, Han Shengyao observed the magic egg’s interactions with the monsters on the ground. She was fascinated to see just how intelligent this newly formed magic egg could be.
As the hide-and-seek game reached its climax, the agile magic egg’s efforts dwindled. It could no longer withstand the monsters; they were closing in.
Displeasure flickered across Han Shengyao’s eyes as she saw the impending demise of the magic egg. With her bone flute securely fastened, she sprang into action, flowing red silk cascading around her as thousands of ethereal flowers bloomed.
Han Shengyao’s graceful figure floated above the ground, her long veil swaying alongside her demonic energy. With a nonchalant gaze, she snapped her fingers, reducing the attacking monster to ash.
Witnessing this display of power, the creatures lurking in the forest became panicked, scattering in all directions at the sight of the fearsome demon cultivator.
Lin Qianshuang, unaware that she had been saved from the fangs by sheer luck, silently mourned her near demise. She continued to bounce fiercely, fighting for her life.
Suddenly, the monstrous fangs disappeared, and her body landed in a pair of warm hands.
“Come with me to the Demon Palace; from now on, you shall be my disciple,” Han Shengyao declared.
Lin Qianshuang, uncomfortable being held by these slippery hands, noticed Han Shengyao’s amusement as she touched her smooth and delicate shell. The infantile egg trembled under the touch, appearing incredibly endearing in the saint’s eyes.
Han Shengyao’s purple eyes deepened, giving into the temptation of indulging in the egg’s softness, reminiscent of a Persian cat the Demon Emperor had once raised. Her fingers couldn’t resist stroking it repeatedly.
Lin Qianshuang, though bewildered, knew that this demon was not a threat. Nevertheless, she questioned the purpose behind these continuous touches. What could be so attractive about rubbing an egg?
If she had transformed into a human, her face would be flushed crimson, and goosebumps would have appeared on her skin.
Amidst the confusion caused by these persistent touches, the voice of the system broke the silence. It declared, “Host, the target character of the [Project] has appeared – Han Shengyao, the Saint of the Jiuchong Demon Palace, and the second female lead in ‘Conquest of the Four Realms’.”