One Body, Two Spirits (1)

Still waiting for a response from the system, Lin Qianshuang clumsily attempted to kiss Han Shengyao, who watched her coldly, unmoved. Suddenly, a question struck Lin Qianshuang.

The system was trying to help her neutralise the the aphrodisiac from the Beast Realm.

It was clear the cup of wine was the problem, the cup Xuan Luowan had given to her.

Xuan Luowan had drugged her, but why?

Could it be that she harbored the same terrifying desires as her master?

Lin Qianshuang’s scalp prickled as she silently grappled with this dreadful truth.

She didn’t believe it, and she didn’t want to believe it.

This world is clearly a heterosexual romance novel where the male lead has a harem, and girls are supposed to like men.

I’ve always assumed that’s how it worked, but I never expected the “favorability” system to go this far. It seems the upper limit is a complete emotional takeover, and even straight characters can be turned into something else if their feelings are strong enough.

I’m starting to wonder if my presence has actually changed the entire genre of “Four Realms Conquest” from a normal romance to something… more.

Maybe Han Shengyao is an exception. Perhaps I accidentally maxed out her affection for me, making her fall in love with me. But how do I explain Du Shuang, who tried to get physical with me, and Xuan Luowan, who was straight before but suddenly wants to harm me?

My head is spinning. I can’t use my old logic to understand these characters anymore.

One thing is clear: this world has a lesbian storyline, and I can’t treat these girls the same way I would treat my friends back home. After all, this is a relatively feudal era, and her understanding of intimacy is very different from what people here think. If I’m not careful and am misunderstood, I’m afraid we won’t even be able to remain friends.

Lin Qianshuang’s heart twisted with anxiety. She thought back to her close relationship with Xuan Luowan. To her, it was all perfectly normal, but in Xuan Luowan’s eyes, had things changed?

[Host, are you developing feelings for the character in the story? You seem to be overthinking this.]

[Remember, do not develop any feelings for the characters in the story. If you lose yourself, you will be unable to complete the strategy. You could even impact the characters in the story, causing a butterfly effect that might lead to their deaths.]

The system beeped out a serious warning.

“I know, I don’t need you to remind me.”

Lin Qianshuang responded coldly to the system in her mind, pulling her lips away from Han Shengyao’s. She had no desire to continue this. Out of respect, she kept her gaze fixed on the dark purple eyes before her, looking at the reflection of herself within them. She laughed at herself helplessly.

After the one-sided kiss, Lin Qianshuang curled up against the body that had once provided her with warmth and security, resting her head on Han Shengyao’s chest as they had done when they were master and disciple, trusting each other implicitly.

Lin Qianshuang listened to Han Shengyao’s heartbeat and licked her cracked lip. The metallic taste of blood spread across her tongue, acrid and bitter.

[Host, the aphrodisiac has completely dissipated. You have ten seconds to escape from the room. Please take advantage of this opportunity.]

“Ten seconds? That means I have to leave Xiao Wan here, and she might die!”

Lin Qianshuang’s gaze fell upon Xuan Luowan, trapped within an iron cage, her vision obscured by the bed curtain. She questioned the system, “But if you don’t leave, I, the host, will die!”

Sensing the hesitation on the usually calm and rational host’s face, the system quickly presented its data analysis.

“Host, after a comprehensive analysis, Han Shengyao’s current level of excitement has surpassed normal indicators for a character. Your body has been severely damaged by the magic core’s sudden boost in cultivation. Your meridians are all disordered, and your qi and blood are flowing backwards. If you don’t immediately begin breathing exercises, and instead engage in a passionate encounter, you… (forbidden sound) understand the consequences.”

Xuan Luowan had been kind to her, and there was an agreement between them. But now, she had achieved her long-cherished wish, yet she had crossed the river and burned the bridge, leaving Lin Qianshuang to fend for herself.

The memories of their playful times together still lingered in Lin Qianshuang’s mind. It was the happiest period since she arrived in this world.

Outwardly, Lin Qianshuang appeared unmotivated, but her hand frantically pulled at her hair, ripping out two long strands. “Tell me, is there any way to save both of us? I want to save Xuan Luowan.”

The system’s cold voice chimed in: “Host, I’m sorry, but due to your hesitation, you missed the best opportunity to escape. Your chances of escape are now at ten percent. Good luck, and I hope to see you alive again.”

This girl doesn’t believe in evil. Even if she detaches from the system, she can still save Xuan Luowan and protect herself!

Lin Qianshuang, clinging tightly to Han Shengyao’s arm, listened to the system’s warning. Her mind raced, searching for a solution. The best way to calm Han Shengyao down was to play the card of their former master-disciple bond.

“Why aren’t you kissing me anymore? Why aren’t you pretending anymore? You know I want more than just a kiss.”

Han Shengyao’s beautiful face, filled with a thoughtful expression, gazed down at Lin Qianshuang who was leaning against her chest. Her disciple’s true feelings had been exposed long ago.

She knew that Lin Qianshuang might have feelings for her, but not to the point of wanting to be a Taoist couple. Lin Qianshuang was simply afraid of Han Shengyao taking things further.

But Han Shengyao didn’t care. As long as she kept Lin Qianshuang by her side for the rest of her life, it wouldn’t matter. Cultivators lived for a very long time.

Even if she had to keep seducing Lin Qianshuang, forcing her to say she loved her, one day, both her body and soul would belong to Han Shengyao.

Han Shengyao’s eyes, filled with a dark intensity, focused on Lin Qianshuang’s bitten lip. The sweet taste of blood lingered on her own tongue.

She wasn’t refusing to respond to Lin Qianshuang’s kiss, but the blood in her mouth was too tempting. She was afraid she wouldn’t be able to control herself, that she would suck Lin Qianshuang’s lips dry, drinking her blood and using her as a Cauldron to absorb her essence.

Lin Qianshuang, her face weary, looked up at Han Shengyao’s profile and said softly, “Master, do you remember when you first took me as your disciple? We were lying together like this. Back then, there were no misunderstandings between us, no right or wrong.”

She lowered her eyes and said quietly, “Master, I will try to like you. Please don’t do this. I don’t want our last bit of beautiful master-disciple bond to disappear.”

Han Shengyao’s fingers toyed with her disciple’s long hair, inhaling the feminine scent emanating from her slender neck. She was a little addicted to it and took a light breath, saying, “Shuang’er, how many secrets have you kept from me? Why are you still untouched? Ye Heng, he hasn’t touched you?”

Lin Qianshuang’s body stiffened, her expression frozen for a long moment.

How could she explain this? Should she confess everything she had done? But would Han Shengyao believe in those elusive future fates?

Before Lin Qianshuang could even contemplate it, Han Shengyao’s fingertips suddenly tapped her forehead, and the magic seal appeared in an instant.

“Since you haven’t experienced love yet, I won’t force you. The fusion of our two souls and the practice of dual cultivation can be much more beneficial than the physical act.”

“Shuang’er, I will make you unforgettable for our wedding night tonight. Remember, who is the husband who possesses every inch of your soul?”

It’s over!

Lin Qianshuang closed her eyes in despair, everything was over!

A surge of demonic energy, forceful and unrestrained, poured in from the magic seal on her forehead, tearing through Lin Qianshuang’s already ravaged internal organs.

The demonic energy, a violation of her senses, swept over every sensitive point of her body, causing her to tremble uncontrollably. She instinctively clung to Han Shengyao, her legs wrapping around her waist, as if seeking stability. The intense stimulation caused her toes to curl in, her entire body like a fragile flower branch tossed about in a storm, desperately searching for a foothold.

Countless unseen hands caressed and stimulated her seven souls and six spirits. A powerful divine consciousness, a relentless force, invaded her soul, consuming her very essence. The two unknown demonic souls were being forcefully intertwined, their essence merging against her will.

The relentless assault brought tears to Lin Qianshuang’s eyes, her screams muffled by Han Shengyao’s relentless kisses. Despite the pain, her body experienced a surge of pleasure and a powerful infusion of cultivation. Yet, this overwhelming force was also rapidly consuming her. Her meridians, stretched beyond their limits, snapped one by one. Finally, a violent wave of demonic energy struck her heart, extinguishing its last beat.

Lin Qianshuang’s vision blurred as she gazed at her surroundings, black blood gushing from her throat in large, ragged gasps.

In the final moments before her consciousness dissolved, she couldn’t help but utter a silent plea.

“This way of dying is so…ugly.”

“Please, System, throw my body off the bed. I…I don’t want to die in bed!”

The body lying upon her instantly went cold, thick black blood splattering onto Han Shengyao’s face.

Han Shengyao emerged from her meditative state, her eyes widening in horror as she saw Lin Qianshuang leaning against her shoulder, her head tilted lifelessly, blood dripping from the corners of her lips onto her clothes.

Confirming that Lin Qianshuang’s eyes had lost their light and her body showed no signs of life, Han Shengyao’s stunningly beautiful face drained of all color, leaving her pale and lifeless.

“Shuang’er, Shuang’er!”

Han Shengyao called out anxiously, trying to wake Lin Qianshuang, but she remained motionless, as if asleep.

Han Shengyao laid Lin Qianshuang flat on the bed and sat beside her, taking her cold wrist. Her eyes filled with confusion and despair. “Her meridians are severed, her internal organs are destroyed, her blood is flowing backwards… how is this possible? I used the dual cultivation technique, it should have nourished her soul. How could it have caused such a fatal wound?”

Han Shengyao trembled as she placed a spirit core between Lin Qianshuang’s lips. Seeing her pale lips tightly closed, Han Shengyao panicked and tried to pry them open, but someone grabbed her hand.

“Shuang’er, to defeat the Demon Emperor and claim his throne, she consumed a magic core that boosted her cultivation. This act defied the heavens, causing her meridians to reverse and her demonic energy to spin out of control. With her physique, she would have recovered after three days of cultivation. But unfortunately, Han Shengyao, your momentary indulgence has cost her her life.”

Xuan Luowan had spent considerable energy breaking the spell on the cage. Hidden by the bed curtains, she couldn’t see what was happening on the bed, but she could hear the other woman’s cries.

Those cries, which would normally be considered alluring to others, were a testament to the unbearable torment she was enduring.

Han Shengyao’s mind went blank. The imposing aura of the Demon Realm’s ruler had vanished. She slumped, defeated. “The Demon Emperor’s throne… why did Shuang’er want it? Was she truly a spy sent by the human realm?”

Xuan Luowan’s hand caressed Lin Qianshuang’s pale cheek, her eyes filled with a mixture of jealousy and grief. “Han Shengyao, you never truly knew her or understood her. Sometimes I envy you. Why can you always achieve what I’ve longed for with such a superior attitude?”

“She did so much for you, and yet you were oblivious. You reveled in her subservience while forcing this woman, who was the best to you, to die within the shackles you imposed.”

Han Shengyao clutched her throbbing temples, her gaze vacant. “What are you saying? I don’t understand. Shuang’er… what did she do? Tell me!”

“Han Shengyao, think carefully. If Shuang’er was a spy sent by the human realm, she would have been fully prepared. How could she be a young demon, barely even a Foundation Establishment cultivator, who knew nothing about the Demon Realm? Why would she concern herself with you and the Demon Realm? Remember the rebellion of the Three Sects a few months ago? Who was secretly behind it? And who, after you defected, secretly restored your reputation under the guise of the Holy Maiden? She paved the way for you to become the Demon Emperor, and she tried to free you from the Demon Emperor’s control and hopeless love.

She respected you, loved you, and wanted you to be happy in her own way. But what did you do for her?”

The memory of Du Shuang’s revelation at the Yixiang Tower, that her apprentice had close ties to the Beiyou Sect, flashed through Han Shengyao’s mind. She had been so focused on making her disciple the Demon Empress, dismissing Du Shuang’s suspicions as fanciful.

A bitter realization washed over Han Shengyao as she contemplated the past.

She only needed to ask Du Shuang to find out what her apprentice had done during her absence.

“Shuang’er, what was your true purpose in coming to me?” Han Shengyao thought, her heart filled with questions. “Why did you deceive me and risk your life to help me become the Demon Emperor? And why did you try to leave as if nothing had happened the moment I achieved that position?”

Han Shengyao gazed at Lin Qianshuang’s face, her body still there, her soul presumably still present. “Shuang’er, there’s still hope for you!” Hope ignited in Han Shengyao’s eyes as she reached for Lin Qianshuang, intending to take her away. But her hand was empty. Xuan Luowan had snatched her away.

“Put away your filthy thoughts and stop defiling her body.”

Xuan Luowan scooped up Lin Qianshuang’s body and began to leave. Han Shengyao’s purple eyes blazed with fury as she watched, saying, “Bai Wan, you’re a beast cultivator. The Demon Realm won’t tolerate you. Put the body down, you can’t take her away!”

“You can try to stop me. If I want to leave, no one can stop me!”

Seeing Xuan Luowan walk out of the room, Han Shengyao was about to pursue her, but a magical formation blocked her path, and the deep purple Demon Suppressing Bell tolled.

Breaking such a complex formation would take quite a long time.

Han Shengyao frantically cast spells, but a young man stood at the door and erected another barrier.

“Xia, it’s you.”

Han Shengyao assessed his cultivation, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she said to Xia, “I’m truly blessed to have taken in such a powerful beast cultivator as my disciple.”

“Master, just stay here, I won’t let you out.”

Xia watched Xuan Luowan leave with his junior sister, his lips pressed together.

Even if he died, he wouldn’t let Han Shengyao take a step.

Xuan Luowan and the beast cultivators he led had been lying in wait in the Demon Realm for so long, just for this day.

Xia gripped his sword tightly, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

The Beast Emperor, ruler of the beast cultivator world, would be resurrected today, having obtained the Cold Cicada Zither.