Crimson_Lore

Chapter 42: The Pride of a Directionally Challenged Person

Four days later, Du Rong carried a rattan suitcase, following behind Chen Xiao as they lined up to board the ship. Their other luggage had already been marked and handed over to the crew, who would deliver it to their cabin shortly.

Their cabin was located in the central part of the ship, on the second level. This was one of the better spots when sailing, it remained relatively stable, unlike the cabins near the sides that rocked with the waves. However, there was a downside: cabins in ...

Chapter 41: The Cost of Mastering Mechanisms

Afterward, Chen Xiao privately asked Du Rong how he had encountered the young cultivator with the surname Tong. The last time Chen Xiao had seen him on the boat, the boy had clearly lost his way, wandering who knew where.

Du Rong’s expression became difficult to describe as he explained, “I ran into Immortal Master Tong just as I was picking up clothes from the tailor. I have no idea how long he had been wandering around the capital, but when he saw me, it was like a drowning man fi...

Chapter 40: A Faint Pain

Chen Xiao listened from the side, feeling a deep sense of surprise. He had never known that people around Xi Yunqing had always suffered misfortunes to varying degrees since childhood. The first time he saw Xi Yunqing use his baleful aura to punish the head of the Fan family, he had been astonished by his ability to shift between two distinct powers but hadn't thought much beyond that. Now, after hearing these fragmented pieces of conversation, he found it difficult to understand.

With ...

Chapter 39: Encountering the Chongxuan Sect Again

“Spirit Pearl?” Du Rong blurted out in surprise. He scrutinized the pearl in Chen Xiao’s hand before finally trusting his own eyes. With a puzzled expression, he looked up at Chen Xiao and asked, “Master, forgive my boldness, but where did this Spirit Pearl come from?”

This was a Spirit Pearl, not a Spirit Coin! Spirit Coins could be obtained as long as one had money and was willing to pay the transaction fees. But Spirit Pearls were different. They could be used as energy and...

Chapter 40: The Actor

Ji Rong was stunned.

She wasn’t even sure what she had figured out.

At this moment, as she looked at the coldness in Gu Baiyi’s eyes, she recalled the game’s setting, Gu Xueyi was the real killer, while Gu Baiyi took the blame.

No matter what Gu Xueyi had done, Gu Baiyi herself was unaware of it. Even if Ji Rong had started to piece together some clues, she could always feign ignorance.

After all, she had no interest in uncovering the heroine’s secrets. The mor...

Chapter 39: Friend or Foe?

A piece of green jade pendant was tucked inside the female corpse’s sleeve.

After retrieving it, Ye Chuyang gathered a sphere of spiritual energy in his palm.

The faint glow flickered in the dim cave, illuminating the jade pendant’s full appearance.

Its color was smooth and lustrous, with an intricate carving of a crape myrtle flower in the center, exquisite in craftsmanship.

Ye Chuyang traced the delicate engravings with his fingers and said, “This woman was a d...

Chapter 38: Coincidence

The system’s skills were truly impressive.

The three of them were stunned by Ji Rong’s words, momentarily speechless.

Ji Rong thought to herself, this was her chance.

Before they could react, she swiftly picked up the brush again and, in one fluid motion, completed the phoenix head’s feathered details.

As her brush danced across the air, the suspended ink strokes vanished, replaced by the silhouette of a bridge.

The entire structure spanned between Yunxian ...

Chapter 37: Sophistry

The awkward truth was that, according to the game’s settings, no one present was skilled at painting.

The four of them stared at the wolf-hair brush, each feeling an unspoken desire to pass the task onto someone else.

Ji Rong recalled her elementary school-level drawing skills, if she attempted to paint, the original owner of this body might just claw her way out of the grave in fury.

This was precisely the moment when the all-capable heroine needed to step in.

Maint...

Chapter 32: Origins

Chen Huichun was not a stickler for outdated customs. To a physician, there was no distinction between men and women.

Besides, it was only her feet.

However, Li Qingwu had been raised with the belief that a woman's feet should only be seen by her future husband and should never be exposed so easily.

What’s more, she knew that Qiu Che did not seem to like bound feet.

Because of that, even though she had long since come to accept the sight of her own bound feet, Li Qin...

Chapter 31: Treatment

Qiu Che exchanged a few pleasantries with him, noting how his gaze barely brushed over her lapel before remaining straight ahead, his expression unchanged. She raised an eyebrow slightly.

No matter what schemes they harbored in their hearts, at least on the surface, their interaction appeared amicable.

Once they were seated, and after Qiu Che had mentioned for the third time how deeply in love she and her new wife were, how inseparable they had become, Yang Qiu finally showed a hi...

Chapter 30: Lip Mark

Yu Ming informed Qiu Che that two guests had come to visit.

One was Yao Tai, and the other was Yang Qiu.

"Miss Yao Tai said she's here to deliver a wedding gift. She originally planned to send it to the courtyard, but upon hearing that you and Your Highness had returned to the Princess's residence, she came here instead. She's waiting in the side hall."

"As for… Young Master Yang," Yu Ming hesitated briefly, "he said he was unable to attend the wedding banquet yesterday du...

Chapter 38: Outer Port

"Daoist friend" was the customary way cultivators addressed each other. The moment Du Rong heard this term and realized that the person had approached him without making a sound, he immediately knew that this individual was far stronger than him, likely an immortal cultivator. Despite the young face before him, he dared not be careless. Hastily rising to his feet, he respectfully said, "Daoist friend, to get to the inner river dock, head east from this town’s market. When you reach an inter...

Chapter 37: The Absent-Minded Immortal Master

Du Rong had always thought that after arriving in the capital, Chen Xiao would quickly establish his career. However, to his surprise, the next few days saw Chen Xiao spending his time sightseeing, exploring various attractions, and indulging in the city's famous local delicacies.

It was unclear how he gathered all his information, but in just a few days, he had traversed every corner of the capital. Even Du Rong, who had visited the city multiple times before, had never realized there ...

Chapter 36: So This Is the Kind of Person Du Rong Is

See, this was exactly what he couldn't understand.

Du Rong thought to himself as he set the empty wine cup aside.

A young man who had emerged from a remote mountain village, no matter how fortuitous his encounters, no matter how he rose from obscurity to stand among the distinguished—should not have undergone such an immense transformation in such a short period. Even Pang Hemu, upon seeing him earlier, had reacted just like any other ordinary person, instinctively feeling infer...

Chapter 35: Taking a Bath

Chen Xiao’s momentary daze made Aunt Huang feel puzzled. She couldn’t help but ask again. Only then did Chen Xiao snap out of it and, bracing himself, replied, "Ah, yes, that’s part of the reason. The rest is because of my travels for study."

Aunt Huang sighed and said, "I just hope your betrothed is still alive and well, and that you two may reunite one day."

Chen Xiao forced a stiff smile, thinking that if that ever happened, it would be nothing short of a miracle.

A...

Chapter 34: The Haunted House

The meeting with the two cultivators was scheduled at the largest and most luxurious restaurant in the county city. Pang Hemu, both out of concern and to offer his opinion, accompanied Chen Xiao as they met with each of the cultivators separately for a more in-depth discussion.

Of course, the interview wasn’t about discussing aspirations or future plans. Chen Xiao carefully inquired about their experiences after leaving the academy and their family situations. He also asked whether th...

Chapter 36: The Scroll

Stepping into Muyunjin, a completely different sight unfolded before them.

The waters and the shores were adorned with blooming Changming flowers. Several islands were linked together, forming what appeared to be a swaying sea of crimson from afar.

Ji Rong and Gu Baiyi rowed a small boat across the river.

The little fox clung to the edge of the boat, staring at the floating Changming flowers.

The fallen petals were exquisite, each one resembling a silver-red lantern gl...

Chapter 35: Walking into the Trap

Chen Hour, Eastern Hall of Jixian Pavilion.

Mei He stood a foot away, gazing intently at the painting hanging in the corner of the Eastern Hall.

The painting depicted a winter scene.

The vast expanse of the world lay under a thick frost, draping all things in white. The contours of the mountains stretched and undulated beneath the snow-laden pines.

Amidst the mountains, a lone figure stood.

Dressed in crimson, they were the only touch of color amid the black moun...

Chapter 34: Griffin

Gu Baiyi stood at the peak of the Heaven-Piercing Staircase for fourteen days.

Few disciples were willing to climb the nine hundred and ninety-nine steps, but as she leaned against the old tree, counting the wild geese in the sky, she knew there was one person who would certainly make it to the top.

For dozens of days, the sun had set, only to rise again in slow, steady cycles.

Gu Baiyi gazed at the distant, unreachable blue sky, narrowing her eyes slightly. She reached out,...

Chapter 29: Don't Forget

After finishing their conversation, the two of them happened to arrive at the study.

Qiu Che had remained silent the entire time, perhaps unsure of what to say.

The hardship had passed, but the pain and scars remained.

She couldn't stand in the position of a bystander and offer any judgment on Li Qingwu’s past choices.

That would be a form of disrespect toward her.

Seeing Qiu Che's serious and solemn expression, Li Qingwu instead smiled. "You don’t have to lo...

Chapter 28: The Past

Li Qingwu seemed shaken by the weight of her words, remaining silent for a long time.

Both fell into an extended silence. When the carriage finally arrived at the gates of the Princess’s residence, Li Qingwu lowered her head and let out a bitter smile. “It’s useless.”

Qiu Che, who had just begun to step out of the carriage, hesitated mid-motion. She turned back, lips parting slightly. “What?”

Li Qingwu didn’t face her.

She remained seated in the shado...

Chapter 27: Old News

Qiu Che was about to speak when the grand hall doors opened.

Fuzi stepped aside with a smile and gestured invitingly. "Your Highness, Prince Consort, His Majesty invites both of you in."

Overall, the meeting was rather pleasant.

In front of Qiu Che, Li Shi treated Li Qingwu with an abundance of fatherly affection and care, as if she were the most cherished daughter in the world.

Meanwhile, Li Qingwu maintained the perfect, appropriate smile throughout, responding with ...

Chapter 26: Entering the Palace

"Why did the tea ceremony go wrong?"

As they stepped out of the courtyard, Fu Ling was still feeling pleased that her master had helped their Highness save face. Caught off guard by the sudden question, she was momentarily stunned.

She muttered in dissatisfaction, "Everyone makes mistakes. Why dwell on something so trivial?"

Her Highness had only just married into this household and had already suffered humiliation at the hands of her in-laws. Was she now to be blamed by her...

Chapter 25: Do you understand?

The atmosphere in the bedroom remained silent for a long, long time, so long that it became almost awkward.

Qiu Che never received an answer to her question. After thinking for a moment, she rephrased it in a more tactful manner, breaking the suffocating silence:

"When I requested an imperial decree from His Majesty, he told me that you had already made the same request earlier."

"Did you know me back then?"

But Li Qingwu remained silent for a while longer, lowering he...

Chapter 33: A Fragmented Soul

The light of the formation flared brightly, illuminating Gu Baiyi’s flickering smile, which stood out strikingly.

Ji Rong had never been particularly competitive, but at this moment, a sudden fighting spirit ignited within her.

Oh? Saying "I’ll wait for you"?

Like hell I need you to wait for me.

With an indifferent expression, she replied, "That won’t be necessary." Then, she lifted her foot and stepped onto the stairs.

Gu Baiyi was momentarily stunned.

Chapter 32: Harder Than Climbing the Heavens

Dense stone steps stretched endlessly before them.

Ji Rong stood in silence for a long time. She suddenly realized she couldn’t remember how she had climbed these steps back when she played through the storyline.

What kind of hellish setting was this?

“If you can’t even make it past the first level of the Heavenly Stairway, how can you dream of entering the Tianshui Secret Realm?”

Xia Yuqing was an inner disciple of the Kunlun Sect.

With a composed expres...

Chapter 31: The Secret Realm Opens

Gu Xueyi looked at Ji Rong with a half-smile.

She was curious, what exactly was her dear senior sister planning?

In the next instant, before she could react, Ji Rong lunged at her, pinning her to the ground.

By the time Gu Xueyi regained her senses, Ji Rong was hovering above her, supporting herself with both hands against the floor, her eyes cast downward in a steady gaze.

Being stared at so intently by those bright, phoenix-like eyes, Gu Xueyi found her mouth going d...

Chapter 30: Gu Xueyi

The night was deep, and the two lay in silence.

Gu Baiyi rested on the left side of the bed, watching the person beside her with amusement. Ji Rong lay stiffly, more rigid than the dying.

In truth, Ji Rong’s mind was flashing with countless images, each one nearly identical, iconic scenes from the game.

For example, the heroine, already consumed by darkness, would smile sweetly before suddenly stabbing an expendable character from behind.

Or, after ascending as the D...

Chapter 29: Same Bed, Different Dreams

Tianyin Division hosted a grand banquet in Jinse Hall, drawing cultivators from all around.

As dusk fell, the female disciples of Tianyin Division plucked at the strings of a phoenix-headed konghou, their delicate melodies rising in the air, clear and elegant.

Ji Rong took a sip of wine, her expression calm, yet her gaze lingered among the disciples of Tianyin Division.

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