Chapter 91: Confirming He's the Villain
[Detected that the Child of Destiny, Su Chen, harbors strong malice toward the host. Triggering Super Counter-Aura. Detection indicates Su Chen currently possesses a great opportunity—he will obtain a Divine Essence by opening a stone in the Dust Fate Pavilion's Stone-Gambling Hall.]
"..." Gu Qing blinked.
Was this his would-be rival coming to deliver him a gift?
Divine Essence—a treasure even rarer than divine medicine fruits. It was said to be a single drop of primordial sacred blood, nurtured through countless ages within a special domain.
Its uses were nearly limitless: alchemy, forging, array crafting, talisman making.
It could break through realms, enhance aptitude, strengthen body and soul, raise cultivation, heal injuries, even rebuild a destroyed body.
It could also allow a spirit body to evolve into a divine body.
For cultivators at the Saint Realm attempting to ascend to the Divine Fire Realm, it was a treasure beyond price.
One could say even Saints would fight to the death for such a thing.
As he thought this, Gu Qing extended his divine sense outward and immediately saw Su Chen sitting miserably on the ground, his face pale, a bloodstain spreading across his chest—a pathetic sight.
"Did the protagonist just get beaten by the gatekeepers?" Gu Qing found it amusing.
It was normal for protagonists to be mocked or looked down upon by guards, but being beaten by them—only Su Chen could manage that.
[Correct.]
[This protagonist is a bit unusual. He mistakenly believes he has reincarnated nine times to pursue Liu Ruyan and that he shares deep affection with Liu Ruyi. In truth, Liu Ruyi merely wishes to use him. The so-called nine-life reincarnation is nothing more than an illusion fabricated by his system.]
Hearing that, Gu Qing immediately understood what kind of protagonist Su Chen was.
Nine lifetimes of reincarnation, nine lifetimes chasing after the treacherous Liu Ruyan—all ending in tragedy. Now reborn, he vows to make amends by switching targets, pursuing the villainess, and repeatedly humiliating Liu Ruyan with dramatic displays of superiority.
This type of protagonist was usually extremely powerful.
He possessed knowledge of future events and insight into every major character's temperament.
Coupled with a system by his side, he was typically an unstoppable, all-conquering protagonist.
But what did that system mean?
Su Chen's reincarnation was fake?
[Of course it's fake.]
[Think about it, host. If one's life could truly restart and time itself were reversed, wouldn't the entire world have to rewind as well? Wouldn't the lives of transcendent beings and countless living souls also have to flow backward?]
[Such defiance of natural law is impossible.]
[Furthermore, what has happened remains part of existence. Even if time reversed, it couldn't erase events that already occurred.]
The system patiently explained the principles of reincarnation and rebirth.
In short, so-called "resetting one's life" was nothing but illusion—a dream of the so-called Child of Fate, empty and unreal.
Even knowledge of "future events" might be false, and what was predicted might never occur.
"I see."
Gu Qing nodded in understanding, then said, "Show me his attribute panel."
[Name]: Su Chen.
[Constitution]: Innate Crippled Body, Ninefold Reincarnation Soul.
[Talent]: Born Close to the Dao.
[Fate Pattern]: Child of Destiny.
[Destiny]: Leap of the Carp, Rise to the Heavens, Blessing Bound to Calamity.
Gu Qing glanced once and withdrew his gaze. "What is a Ninefold Reincarnation Soul?"
[It refers to one who, through a secret method or special treasure, refines their soul through nine cycles of nirvana and rebirth. Afterward, the soul transforms, becoming naturally close to the Dao and highly compatible with the laws of heaven and earth.]
"So that means once Su Chen overcomes his physical limitation, he could soar to the heavens?"
[Exactly.]
Gu Qing pondered for a moment, then decided to leave Su Chen alone for now. His level was still too low—it would be best to let him develop for a while.
By intercepting Su Chen's opportunity, another might appear in its place.
Besides, killing someone that low-level would yield little reward from his system.
With that thought, Gu Qing turned to Liu Ruyan beside him. "Ruyan, I'm going to the Stone-Gambling Hall."
"I'm coming too," Liu Ruyan said immediately.
"You're not familiar with the city. Allow me to guide you," Liu Ruyi added, her tone calm but her eyes gleaming.
She took out a storage ring and smiled. "Little sister, these are the spirit stones and treasures I've accumulated over the years. They're all for you."
Liu Ruyan swept her divine sense across it—one thousand supreme-grade spirit stones, ten billion high-grade spirit stones, more than a dozen rare medicinal herbs, two ten-thousand-year king-grade herbs, and three top-grade Heaven-tier artifacts.
She accepted them without hesitation, though her heart was conflicted.
Such a fortune was something even a King Realm cultivator might not be able to produce, yet Liu Ruyi had given it all to her without a second thought.
As she looked at Liu Ruyi's bright smile and clear, pure eyes, a fleeting illusion crossed her mind—
That perhaps her elder sister truly loved her.
As if the torment she had suffered in childhood had only been a nightmare.
Shaking her head quickly, Liu Ruyan cast that horrifying thought aside.
Liu Ruyi was nothing but a demon wearing a goddess's mask. If she ever softened again, she would only repeat the same mistake.
"Brother Gu, thank you for bringing my sister back. A small token of gratitude—please, you must accept it."
Liu Ruyi took out another storage ring and offered it to Gu Qing with both hands, her delicate face full of sincerity.
Her soft and tender voice carried a charm that made refusal almost impossible.
Gu Qing was speechless.
This little villainess really knew how to play her cards right.
He couldn't help but feel a faint fondness toward her.
Seeing through it but choosing not to expose it—perhaps they could even become friends.
"It's only right," Gu Qing said with a small smile as he accepted the gift. In return, he took out a jade bottle of Yuqing Spirit-Nurturing Pills and handed it to her.
Though a fifth-grade pill, it was one of the finest for strengthening and purifying the soul, dispelling inner demons, and stabilizing the mind. Its value was immeasurable.
For Liu Ruyi, spending ten billion high-grade spirit stones for it would still be a bargain.
Obtaining it was equivalent to earning a fortune.
After all, improving her cultivation mattered most; spirit stones were merely trivial to her.
But a top-grade Yuqing Spirit-Nurturing Pill was a priceless treasure, impossible to buy even with wealth.
"Thank you, Brother Gu."
Liu Ruyi's expression lit up with delight, her bright eyes shimmering like starlight. The corners of her eyes lifted slightly, pure yet temptingly alluring.
Her skin was pale and smooth, brimming with vitality, a flawless glow of white and rose.
Her beauty was pure and breathtaking—born to stir both the urge to protect and the dangerous desire to possess.
It made one want to give her everything, and then completely conquer her.
Watching the subtle exchange between the two, Liu Ruyan's beautiful eyes widened in alarm.
Could it be that Gu Qing was being deceived by Liu Ruyi's charming façade?
No—impossible.
Gu Qing was not a shallow man; he would never fall for someone like Liu Ruyi.
"Let's go."
"Brother Gu, sister, come with me—we'll take the carriage," Liu Ruyi said warmly.
The imperial capital was vast, stretching for tens of thousands of miles. Most people traveled either by flight or by ornate carriages drawn by spirit beasts.
Inside the carriage, Liu Ruyi's smile was radiant and genuine, her eyes gleaming like a sky full of stars. Every glance, every gesture, radiated nobility and grace.
"Sister, I've already prepared a mansion for you."
"You've been away for so many years—you probably don't even know what's fun in the capital anymore, do you? But I do! From now on, I'll take you out every day, alright?"
"In the eastern district, there are many rental cultivation caves, full of heroes from across the land. There are duels and competitions every day."
"And the southern district is the most prosperous—filled with luxury shops, restaurants, and wondrous gardens…"
Listening to Liu Ruyi's cheerful and patient descriptions, Gu Qing and Liu Ruyan exchanged bewildered looks.
Was this truly the so-called vicious villainess?
Were they sure she wasn't a gentle, caring older sister instead?
Fine then, she could keep pretending for now. Liu Ruyan's eyes grew colder.
Once they returned, she would ask for her Divine Demon Physique origin back and see if Liu Ruyi would still keep up the act.
…
"Follow them—quickly!"
Seeing Liu Ruyi's carriage leaving the residence, Su Chen's eyes brightened with excitement.
He hurriedly ordered Su Yi to pursue it.
He had missed Liu Ruyi across nine lifetimes, owed her for nine lifetimes.
In this life, he would make it right.
He would never again allow Liu Ruyi to suffer even the slightest harm.
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