"Curse, another curse..."
Lin Xuan felt like he was about to crack open.
In three days, he had been hit three times in a row. Just as he cleared one curse, before he could break the formation, another curse arrived like clockwork, like a demonic spell, following him like a shadow.
Would this ever end?
"Dog system, don't you have any defensive methods? If this continues, forget about your origin only being enough for ten removals—even with a thousand times, ten thousand times, it wouldn't be enough to sustain the losses."
Lin Xuan clenched his fists, grinding his teeth.
The system was silent for a good while before coldly responding: [Yes, this system can activate the Great Dao Barrier for the host, but it requires sacrificing half of the origin. It has already been used four times before. If another five-tenths of the origin is lost, this system will return to its initial state and fall into slumber.]
"When will it wake up?"
Lin Xuan's heart tightened. Although he cursed the dog system daily as useless, he knew better than anyone whether that was true.
He owed his current achievements to the system's rewards.
If he lost the system...
Lin Xuan shook his head, not daring to think further.
[The host needs to recruit ten disciples with seven-star talent or above, and cultivate them to the Divine Fire realm. Only then can this system awaken and recover five-tenths of its origin.]
Hearing this, Lin Xuan hesitated for a long time before gritting his teeth: "Activate the Great Dao Barrier."
The system didn't dawdle either, immediately sacrificing its origin to construct a Great Dao Barrier for Lin Xuan.
Actually, it very much wanted to tell Lin Xuan that finding the person who placed the curse and negotiating peace was the optimal solution.
And that person would be easy to find.
After all, someone who possessed origin-level curses was definitely no ordinary person—their strength must be unfathomable.
Among the people Lin Xuan knew, Gu Qing was the most likely candidate, followed by Jiang Yu.
And it was certain that it was one of these two.
Because it couldn't detect the background of either of them, which was already quite telling.
But given how useless Lin Xuan was, saying anything probably wouldn't help.
Some good-for-nothings, even after being reborn, even with its assistance, still couldn't change their essentially useless nature.
Clearly, Lin Xuan was a good-for-nothing.
One who only knew how to curse it as useless.
It was tired.
Let Lin Xuan do whatever he wanted.
Anyway, it was bound to Lin Xuan—one prospered with prosperity, one suffered with loss.
If Lin Xuan died, it would still return to its initial state.
If Lin Xuan won, it would soon return.
So, there was no point in struggling. Whether Lin Xuan could awaken in time depended entirely on his fortune.
"Gu Qing, this time I will definitely kill you. No one who comes can save you."
The moment the curse was cleared, Lin Xuan felt unprecedented relaxation. Finally, this demonic spell was resolved.
Lin Xuan's eyes turned sinister, a cold smile curling his lips.
Without the threat of curses, he was a top existence in this universe. Even old monsters who had surpassed the Divine Fire realm couldn't do anything to him.
Because he had an External Avatar.
External Avatar and clones were different—they had essential differences.
Clones were bodies condensed from treasures, requiring constant cultivation and various treasures to advance.
External Avatars, however, were vessels of the Great Dao—limitless, and capable of self-cultivation to improve their cultivation level.
Additionally, because External Avatars were vessels of the Great Dao, they could borrow from the universe's laws, merging with the myriad laws of heaven and earth, exponentially increasing combat power.
Moreover, ordinary divine abilities couldn't destroy Great Dao vessels.
Thinking this, Lin Xuan was about to slap apart the cave dwelling formation to go in and seize his sister and kill Gu Qing.
However, the moment he raised his hand, the formation opened.
Lin Xuan's breath caught, stuck halfway.
Taking a deep breath, he strode in, praying constantly in his heart that Yaoyao was safe and sound.
His fox sister was so innocent and timid, so devoted to him—she definitely wouldn't develop feelings for a fickle man like Gu Qing.
It must be Yan Hongluo coercing Yaoyao.
If anything happened to Yaoyao, he would never let Yan Hongluo off.
He would make Gu Qing and the entire Star God Palace pay with their lives.
Lin Xuan's gaze turned cold as he secretly swore in his heart.
Meanwhile, in the garden pavilion.
"Mysterious Clarity Enlightenment Tea..."
Seeing Gu Qing brewing Mysterious Clarity Enlightenment Tea, Hongluan exclaimed in surprise: "Little enemy, how do you have such a precious treasure? I've never heard of the Star God Palace having Mysterious Clarity Enlightenment Tea."
"I found it myself."
Gu Qing replied absent-mindedly, his heart heavy.
The moment Lin Xuan cleared the curse, he sensed it. But that was nothing—he could just place another one.
But he never expected that Lin Xuan seemed to have suddenly cultivated some golden bell shield—his curse talisman had no effect whatsoever and was completely reflected back.
This situation could only mean Lin Xuan had suddenly obtained a supreme treasure that could isolate and defend against curses.
Or the system had made its move.
Gu Qing leaned toward the latter.
After all, during these three days, Lin Xuan had been waiting outside the cave dwelling the whole time—opportunities couldn't just fall from the sky, could they?
Of course, if the system had acted, it must have paid a heavy price.
After all, if there were no cost, the system would have acted long ago, not waiting until Lin Xuan had been hit several times before acting.
Having nullified Lin Xuan's greatest reliance, his curses hadn't been placed in vain.
"Little enemy, your luck is so good." Hongluan's beautiful eyes sparkled, and a proud feeling of sharing in the glory arose spontaneously.
Anyone who could obtain divine medicine was definitely someone blessed with great fortune.
Her man really was the most outstanding in all the worlds.
"It's alright." Gu Qing smiled.
Although the Mysterious Clarity Enlightenment Tea was given by Jiang Yu casually, being able to cling to Jiang Yu's coattails—wasn't that ten thousand times better luck than obtaining one divine medicine plant?
In the end, it was still his good luck.
"Look at what Gu Qing gave you in the jade box," Yan Hongluo suddenly said in Yaoyao's mind.
Yaoyao did as told and took out the jade box. Upon opening it, there were fully ninety-nine pieces of Mysterious Clarity Enlightenment Tea.
Her beautiful eyes widened, excitement overflowing.
This was divine medicine that could cleanse the soul, strengthen it, and aid in enlightenment.
And what she needed most were soul-type treasures, since there was a remnant soul within her body.
If all ninety-nine pieces of Mysterious Clarity Enlightenment Tea were used, Yaoyao could hardly imagine how much they would elevate her cultivation.
"See, didn't I tell you the man I chose for you is ten thousand times better than Lin Xuan? And you didn't believe me," Yan Hongluo said leisurely.
Yaoyao mentally responded with an "mm," then added: "Isn't it wrong for us to just take this? Should we give Gu Qing something in return?"
"That can wait. The urgent matter is for you to bear him a litter of little foxes first."
"Ah!"
Yaoyao's small face instantly turned red, even her fluffy fox ears taking on a pink hue.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" Yan Hongluo's tone was full of mischief.
"You're annoying. I'm not talking to you anymore."
Yaoyao severed the connection, taking a deep breath to calm her surging emotions.
She thanked Gu Qing, her face full of gratitude.
"Thank you!"
She had thought that even if Gu Qing gave her treasures, they would be useless to her.
After all, the gap in their cultivation levels was right there.
But it turned out she had been shallow.
"Why be so polite with me? Use as much as you want. If it's not enough, I'll give you more."
Gu Qing held her soft, boneless little hand, playing with it in his palm—soft and delicate.
Her fingers were symmetrical and slender, her nails pink and crystal-clear.
He liked these little hands too much.
"Have you played enough?!" Yaoyao coldly glared at Gu Qing, her magnetic voice carrying a slight tremor.
"Not yet. These little hands are so beautiful—I can never play with them enough."
Little fox spirit, putting on airs, pretending to be Yan Hongluo—and getting addicted to it.
Gu Qing found it amusing.
"Stop."
Lin Xuan was furious, watching the intimate pair. His heart ached to the point of suffocation, his entire body's blood seemingly frozen.
He had waited outside for three days and nights, but what he feared most had still happened.
Yaoyao was no longer pure.
Thinking that Yaoyao might have already become Gu Qing's shape, Lin Xuan's blood froze completely.
His sinister, cold eyes wished they could hack Gu Qing into ten thousand pieces.
"Lin Xuan elder, aren't you being too meddlesome? My interaction with Hongluo—what business is it of yours?"
Gu Qing laughed lightly, a divine light flashing through his eyes.
Lin Xuan indeed had something strange about him.
Within Lin Xuan's body, there was a power of transcendence that could isolate everything.
Thinking this, Gu Qing suppressed his urge to act against Lin Xuan, planning to let Yan Hongluo go first.
Whether he could kill Lin Xuan or not wasn't important.
Making Yaoyao and Lin Xuan turn against each other was his goal.
Although Gu Qing felt Yaoyao had already given her heart to him, Yaoyao was a female lead, and the two already had a very deep so-called "sibling bond."
Gu Qing had to guard against this.
"Lin Xuan, if you can't speak properly, then get out."
Yaoyao's delicate face, small enough to fit in a palm, was filled with coldness. A pair of clear, innocent eyes seemed to contain immense authority, captivating and intimidating.
The imperial aura naturally revealed itself, making people involuntarily want to submit.
"Yan... Hong... Luo..."
Lin Xuan ground his teeth.
He knew it—all of it was Yan Hongluo, this demonic woman's doing.
His Yaoyao was so timid and well-behaved, she couldn't possibly betray him.
But Yan Hongluo and Yaoyao were two souls in one body, a symbiotic relationship—both prospered together, both suffered together.
And there was no hierarchy between them. Whoever was stronger controlled the body—Yaoyao couldn't possibly defeat Yan Hongluo.
He also didn't have confidence in dealing with Yan Hongluo.
But Yan Hongluo dared to defile Yaoyao's pure body—he would never let her off.
Thinking of this, Lin Xuan's eyes turned cold as he transmitted: "You control Yaoyao's body to submit to someone she doesn't like—are you worthy of Yaoyao?"
"What business is it of yours?" Yaoyao replied coldly.
"Yan Hongluo, you fancy Gu Qing—isn't it just for his treasures? As long as you don't defile Yaoyao's body, whatever you want, I'll give you."
Lin Xuan glanced at the Mysterious Clarity Enlightenment Tea, a cold smile curling his lips.
Just Mysterious Clarity Enlightenment Tea—he had enlightenment tea comparable to it, and treasures to reshape the physical body.
He thought someone like Yan Hongluo, an old monster who had lived for who knows how long, seducing Gu Qing definitely wasn't with good intentions.
She was surely after Gu Qing's treasures, and wanting the Star God Palace's help to reshape her physical body.
Lin Xuan deeply regretted this. He didn't care whether Yan Hongluo lived or died, but Yaoyao absolutely couldn't come to harm.
If he had known earlier that Yan Hongluo was someone who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, he should have proactively given treasures to Yaoyao.
You see, he had plenty of enlightenment tea. Usually, when he was in a good mood, he would casually bestow it upon disciples, even giving it to elders, using enlightenment tea to show off everywhere.
And he had given treasures to reshape the physical body to many disciples to improve their aptitude.
But why had he never thought to give some to Yaoyao?
If he had given them earlier, Yaoyao's pure body wouldn't have been defiled by that dog Gu Qing.
The more Lin Xuan thought, the more he regretted. But regretting now was too late.
He could only hope Yaoyao had just had her hands touched, hadn't gone all the way yet.
Lin Xuan's gaze flickered as he thought: "Dare to defile Yaoyao's body—I will never let either of you off. After you reshape your body, I will make you pay the price."
"Is that so?"
"Then give me a hundred pieces first to show your sincerity."
This time it was Yan Hongluo controlling Yaoyao's body. Feeling Gu Qing's mischievous hand, her body stiffened slightly, her expression somewhat unnatural.
Gu Qing glanced at her without showing anything, knowing Yaoyao had switched souls, but pretending not to notice, continuing to knead her little hand.
This feeling was truly wonderful.
"You..."
Lin Xuan almost couldn't catch his breath. A hundred pieces—did she think enlightenment tea was rotten cabbage?
Although he had plenty, he didn't have so much that he could treat a hundred pieces of enlightenment tea as nothing.
But having already said it, Lin Xuan naturally couldn't go back on his word, nor could he be shown up by Gu Qing. He immediately swept his sleeve. "Here."
A hundred pieces of enlightenment tea shimmered with Great Dao divine patterns. One tea leaf seemed to contain a universe of stars, resplendent, filled with dao charm.
She really gave it... Yan Hongluo was stunned for a moment.
She knew Lin Xuan, this dog thing, had many treasures. Usually calling out "sister" so loudly, but when it came to good things, he'd rather share with others than with Yaoyao.
Yan Hongluo also looked down on Lin Xuan's things, but she wanted to take Lin Xuan down.
Unfortunately, Yaoyao had always stopped her.
Now without Yaoyao as a concern, a killing intent flashed through Yan Hongluo's eyes.
She immediately used the enlightenment tea to brew a cup for Gu Qing: "Taste it—how is it?"
"Just average. Not as sweet as you."
Gu Qing instantly understood, secretly sighing—worthy of being a demonic giant. Yan Hongluo knew how to twist the knife.
But this wasn't enough. Gu Qing reached out to pull her waist, placing her on his lap.
In front of Lin Xuan, showing affection with his sister—Lin Xuan should be about to explode in pain, right?!
Indeed, seeing this, Lin Xuan was about to explode on the spot, his eyes bloodshot.
But Lin Xuan ultimately held back.
To endure small things is to disrupt great plans.
After Yan Hongluo left Yaoyao's body, he would make her pay the price.
And Gu Qing had to die.
Even if a god came, they couldn't save him—he said so.
"Lin Xuan, your sister has found a good match, newlyweds—won't you offer congratulations?"
Hongluan hugged Gu Qing's arm, her entire voluptuous body pressed against him.
Her seductive peach blossom eyes swept over Lin Xuan as she laughed lightly, her tone full of mockery.
"???"
Damn it.
Lin Xuan's blood flowed backward, his mind flooded with blood.
Looking at Gu Qing with one woman in each arm, Lin Xuan put on a mask of pain.
This was his most beloved fox sister, and his most doted upon little demon disciple—and both were in his enemy's embrace.
And he was supposed to give a wedding gift?
Please, be human.
Lin Xuan's heart at this moment was crushed.
"What? Not willing to give?"
"Never mind then, my master doesn't really want it anyway."
"You don't even consider your master a sister."
Hongluan continued to twist the knife with a smile.
Gu Qing looked at her strangely, somewhat doubting—was this really a female lead?
Or a fake one!?
Gu Qing secretly shook his head, dismissing this thought.
Not all female leads were perfectly good. Some female leads initially greatly disliked the protagonist and weren't good people themselves.
"Sister?"
Lin Xuan's face twisted—never had he hated the word "sister" as much as in this moment.
A regret rose in his heart—if he could be reborn, he wouldn't want a sister.
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