Chapter 123

“The Touch of Betrayal and Recollection.”

Thud!

The virtual raven shadow within the cage looked at the splattered brains and gushing blood, immediately ceasing any struggle and standing still, staring blankly at the standing headless corpse.

Some scalp fragments stuck with red hair and skull bones scattered on the floor and sofa, making the entire living room look like a gruesome crime scene.

She… has gone mad?

No… At the moment she was about to hit her own head, she used that sealed object in her hand!

That sealed object belonging to her…

Thud!

The girl’s body fell into the pool of blood, along with the “Substitute Sacred Relic” sealing the raven shadow, crashing onto the ground together.

After rolling a few times on the blood-soaked wooden floor, the raven shadow noticed a feather appearing before it.

Indeed, was it overthinking things…?

The raven shadow struggled desperately to collide with the cage, trying to roll towards the feather, but no matter how hard it tried, the cage burning with purple flames remained immovable like a foundation.

Pitter-patter—

A huge palm crawled to the feather beside it, dragging the feather away from the cage direction amidst the blood, then pressing down on the feather with its palm, looking around with the eyeball on its back, seemingly in a trance.

A mindless spiritual creature…

Seeing this scene, the raven shadow’s feather spirit didn’t seem to be in a hurry anymore.

The bone within the cage that provided energy for the seal wouldn’t last long, and would deplete within a day. With its struggles, it might burn faster.

And the spiritual being in front of it, without external assistance, couldn’t stay in reality for too long either.

As long as it confirmed that Xia’er, the girl, truly died…

The shadow cast its gaze toward the direction of the nearby dead girl, then saw a horrifying scene.

A ghostly silver watch appeared behind the girl, with its sharp second hand rapidly advancing a short distance.

The splattered flesh, bone shards, and brain matter directly violated the laws and floated up, including the girl’s corpse lying on the ground, which now floated upright, standing in its original position.

Everything seemed like a reverse playback, except for the feather embedded in the girl’s brain. Her other body parts rapidly connected back to her body, and in just one or two seconds, the pale-faced, silent girl stood again in place.

And the pocket watch also returned to the girl’s hand during the restoration process.

This is?

This is!!

The raven shadow, which had calmed down, suddenly acted crazily, continuously using its head to collide with the cage, accelerating the burning of the sacred relic inside.

“(Ancient An Su language) This is my power! This is my authority!”

“(Ancient An Su language) You are just a damned container!!!”

“(Ancient An Su language) What right do you have!!!”

The screech emitted by the feather spirit seemed to be sensed by the girl. She merely glanced at the cage direction indifferently, then squatted down, half-kneeling beside the eerie hand-shaped spiritual creature.

She reached out, gently rubbing the wrist area of the giant palm as if petting a small cat or dog.

The fingers of the palm also rose, seemingly very pleased with this kind of petting. Its palm left the ground, lifting its wrist high, as if using its back to meet the girl’s palm.

The girl stretched out her left hand, directly pulling out the black-blue feather from under the palm, then patted the back of the eerie palm as if issuing a command.

Upon receiving the command, several cracks appeared on the palm’s center, with several dark purple tongues emerging from inside, beginning to happily lick the remaining blood on the ground.

After completing everything, the girl held the feather in her left hand and picked up the “Substitute Sacred Relic” that had rolled to the ground with her right hand, slowly standing up.

Bang!

“Miss Xia’er! Are you alright?!”

Hearing the sound of glass breaking, Tara rushed over immediately after opening the door, only to be stunned in place by what she saw.

Xia’er, with bloodstains still on her face, stood calmly, holding a burning birdcage pendant in her left hand and a feather emitting a powerful spiritual aura in her right hand.

The floor, sofa, and tabletop were all covered in blood, and beside Xia’er’s feet was a terrifying monster with numerous fingers supporting a palm-like body, using several sharp tongues to lick the blood on the ground.

In particular, when she noticed that terrifying creature, Tara’s mind exploded with a spiritual alert. She quickly lowered her head, focusing on her breathing, not daring to look at Xia’er again.

“I’m fine.”

Xia’er spoke, looking in Tara’s direction. “Leave.”

“Yes… yes… Miss Xia’er…”

Tara bowed her head in relief and exited the living room, closing the wooden door behind her.

The moment she closed the door, Tara regretted not listening to orders and coming to check if anything was wrong.

If even the Mother Goddess couldn’t solve the problem, could she solve it?

Tara only hoped her offense wouldn’t damage her good impression in the Mother Goddess’s heart—she believed she had shown great loyalty.

After Tara left, Xia’er took a deep breath, her legs weakened, and she leaned against the blood-stained sofa.

Just now, her mind did indeed hear the voice of the raven shadow.

But she didn’t fully understand all the words the raven shadow said.

This is my power, this is my **.

She understood the first part, but the latter part, which was more obscure, Xia’er couldn’t find the corresponding translation in her mind.

However, from the tone, it sounded urgent.

Urgent, which means what I am doing now is correct.

Then, Xia’er focused her gaze on the black-blue feather in her hand.

Is this the sealed object that caused her so much trouble?

This was Xia’er’s first close inspection of this feather seal. Just by looking at its appearance, she could sense its extraordinary nature.

Moreover, it didn’t seem to be a real feather.

The middle axis of the feather was black, with countless engraved silver inscriptions that made the axis appear silvery from a distance.

Aside from connecting with fine, soft feathers, the middle axis also contained a pen-like ink slot, leading to a semi-transparent crystalline tip resembling a pen nib.

This is… a feather pen?

Xia’er gently shook the feather, seeing the residual blood-colored ink inside the ink slot, which looked like a blood line along the feather’s axis.

About half remaining…

What exactly is its function?

It can summon meteors; it must not be simple…

And for some reason, Xia’er felt a strange affinity towards this feather pen.

This feeling was very similar to how a gambler felt when facing an evil cultist with the Satarna Mark, but slightly different.

This feeling made Xia’er feel somewhat strange because she had never encountered this feather pen seal before. She didn’t even know what its purpose was or what side effects it might have.

When she exploded her head earlier, there should have been quite a bit of blood splattered on it, but now she felt nothing… if she dripped blood again, it probably wouldn’t work.

But now, Xia’er could confirm that something on this feather pen was definitely linked to her or the system.

However, this sense of familiarity seemed to be something only she could feel. Otherwise, the simulation would have already locked onto her feather pen before the other two died.

The feather pen itself could not feel this sense of familiarity.

Xia’er could not understand or explain this situation for now, only hoping that the feather pen’s spiritual entity, if it had already developed intelligence, could give her some information.

After casually putting the feather pen in her pocket, Xia’er raised the “Substitute Sacred Relic” in front of her.

The feeling of weakness and dizziness had yet to dissipate, and the incessant noise in her mind was making her headache.

Especially since these sounds were mostly incomprehensible Ancient An Su language, which made Xia’er even more frustrated.

There was still time, and she could try to gather some information within the remaining time.

The golden small pendant shaped like a birdcage swayed gently in Xia’er’s hand, with the bones inside burning with purple flames.

The flames burned fiercely, almost enveloping the entire cage. In the heart of the flame, a familiar raven shadow appeared, though much smaller compared to the one she had seen in the sky before.

“(Ancient An Su language) Quiet.”

Xia’er spoke, pronouncing it according to the phonetic annotations, which was one of the few words Xia’er had memorized.

Next time, if she memorizes the entire dictionary, Xia’er might be able to understand most of what the other person is saying.

Xia’er’s words didn’t seem to have any effect on the other party, but she was patient, waiting quietly to see how long the other party could screech in her mind.

Just as Xia’er was thinking about taking a nap to reduce the dizziness, she saw her finger flicker.

The side effect [Temporal Disruption] began to take effect.

This distortion and flickering quickly spread throughout Xia’er’s body. After a flash of silver light, a figure wearing a half-face silver wolf mask sat on the sofa, her pupils flashing with pink tentacles and spiritual light.

This incredible mutation temporarily calmed the struggling spirit inside the cage and the screeching in Xia’er’s mind.

Xia’er removed the mask from her face, placing it face-down on the table, then leaned back on the sofa, crossing her right leg over her left, and started swinging the birdcage in her hand.

“(Ancient An Su language) Where is everyone? Why is there no sound?”

Xia’er smiled, constantly swinging the necklace, the speed increasing, with the golden pendant and purple flames creating a circular purple-golden trail.

As expected, after Xia’er started swinging the necklace and mocking, the shadow in the cage opened its wings after a brief silence.

The purple flames inside the cage began to burn wildly, almost completely covering the cage.

In Xia’er’s field of vision, the bones inside the cage were gradually dissipating at a visible rate.

At this terrifying speed, the sacred relic in the cage might be completely consumed in just a few hours, losing its original effectiveness.

And the voices in Xia’er’s mind became even more chaotic, mixing in several languages that were definitely not Ancient An Su—she could easily distinguish them with her [Language Level 3].

“Anxious?”

Pitter-patter—

Xia’er smiled lightly, as if playing with a yo-yo, slightly lifting her finger to hold the burning cage in her palm.

“Then don’t be anxious,”

Xia’er casually tossed the substitute sacred relic towards the spiritual creature still licking the blood on the ground, speaking, “Xiao Zuo, take it for a walk.”

The palm monster, upon receiving the command, raised its fingers, spreading two of them, catching the pendant with its toothed palm, and flicking its fingers, diving into the blood-colored vortex still suspended in mid-air.

Instantly, Xiao Zuo carried the “substitute sacred relic” containing the spirit of the sealed object into the Other Realm.

A few seconds later, Xiao Zuo emerged from the blood vortex again, crawling to Xia’er’s feet, using its fingers to support its body, and showing Xia’er the pendant it had in its mouth.

“Good boy~”

Xia’er took the chain from its mouth, patting one of Xiao Zuo’s fingers.

Like a dog owner rewarding their dog for bringing back a ball, she played with Xiao Zuo in this manner.

By now, the purple flames inside the cage had lost their previous intensity, returning to their initial calm burning state.

And the voices in Xia’er’s mind had subsided.

“Do you understand your current situation now?”

Xia’er held the substitute sacred relic, looking at the raven shadow in the center of the flames, speaking slowly, “I have the ability to keep you there forever… Stop making futile struggles.”

“If you want to live.”

Xia’er stopped trying to communicate with the other party using Ancient An Su language.

In previous simulations, Xia’er could monitor and understand the sealed object containing the letter written in An Su language. Now, with the “Tempter” in control, Xia’er naturally wouldn’t indulge the other party anymore.

“Speak…”

Xia’er’s eyes narrowed slightly, her tone lowering, with pink tentacles in her pupils frantically writhing.

An indescribable pressure made the flames in the cage sway slightly.

Most importantly, Xia’er’s hand was really holding something that prevented the other party from resisting.

After a while, Xia’er’s mind heard a weak voice.

Using standard An Su language.

“What… exactly do you want?”

Listening to this ethereal, weak voice, which no longer had the previous assertiveness, Xia’er knew this might be due to the loop in the Other Realm.

This time, it seemed to be more honest.

But from the question… the other party still seemed very defiant.

What do I want? Shouldn’t that be my question? What do you want? Why are you targeting me?

Just as Xia’er was about to ask, she saw her finger start to flicker abnormally, like a virtual projection losing power.

“Tsk…”

Damn [Temporal Disruption]…

Interrogation should be best done by the “Tempter”…

The “Tempter” is so useful! Next time I’ll use the “Tempter” for the simulation!

The “Tempter” is so useful! Next time I’ll use the “Tempter” for the simulation!

The “Tempter” is so useful! Next time I’ll use the “Tempter” for…

Xia’er repeated this phrase quickly in her mind, attempting to hypnotize herself.

But with a silver flash, Xia’er’s internal repetition disappeared.

Her blue hair cascaded down her shoulders, and she wore a slightly larger blouse and plaid skirt. Sitting on the blood-stained sofa, Xia’er looked like a refined young lady.

To Xia’er, the silver flash was just a fleeting moment with no significant impact.

Without Jiti, Xia’er wouldn’t be affected by the evil cultists.

She looked at the birdcage in her hand and spoke, “This should be the question I ask.”

“You should introduce yourself and explain why you’re targeting me.”

“Only then can I consider where your final destination will be—to return to the sealed object or go to the Other Realm.”

Xia’er spoke clearly, glancing at the “Strong Fortune Coin” left by Tara on the table, feeling an urge to pick it up.

To a gambler, this coin was irresistible.

But Xia’er managed to restrain her impulse and didn’t take the coin directly.

After a brief wait, perhaps the sealed object had compromised, and Xia’er’s mind finally received a response.

“The Touch of Betrayal… This is the name of my current container.”

The voice had calmed down, indicating that communication could now proceed smoothly.

“The Touch of Betrayal? The name of the container?”

Xia’er reached into her pocket, although the save data had changed, the items hadn’t been taken away. The feather pen was still in her pocket.

Is this the name of the sealed object?

It said container… isn’t it the spirit born from the sealed object itself?

“What is the ability of the Touch of Betrayal?”

Xia’er asked.

“I can use it to search for people whose fate lines have recently changed the most… and use the Touch of Betrayal to adjust the lifeline, guiding it towards the direction I envision.”

“Once someone is locked in, if their actions deviate from the adjusted lifeline, they will suffer misfortune, whereas strong luck will favor them.”

“Each adjustment consumes the bloodline ink inside.”

To be unknowingly locked by this thing… it’s truly unpredictable.

In the previous simulation, Lucy nearly died because she violated the lifeline, and Xia’er saved her by being present.

Obold relied on his powerful and numerous sealed objects to gradually unravel the rules, but he had no method to break the pattern.

And the lifeline can be arbitrarily altered… once the target adapts to the changed fate, reversing the lifeline will instantly convert the original luck into misfortune.

“What about the side effects?”

Xia’er asked, which was what she cared about most.

After a while, Xia’er’s mind received a response.

“The bloodline ink hasn’t run out yet, so I don’t know the side effects.”

Xia’er took out the feather pen, looking at the remaining half of the bloodline ink tube.

Would there be side effects until the ink runs out?

But Xia’er wasn’t going to test it lightly.

Generally, the stronger the sealed object, the more severe its side effects tend to be.

When the bloodline ink runs out and the side effects erupt, it’s too late to complain.

Since this can be known after returning to reality from the system store, Xia’er had no desire to gamble.

So, is it because my fate underwent a significant change that I was locked in?

This locking method is truly unpredictable…

Although it can’t accurately lock onto the person themselves, it’s possible that others might find her based on changes in fate in the future.

“Since you say this sealed object is just a container.”

Xia’er refocused on the feather pen, “Then what is your true identity?”

As soon as Xia’er asked this question, the voice in her mind completely quieted down.

After a long time, Xia’er’s mind faintly heard a low growl.

“(Ancient An Su language) I am a god!”

“(Ancient An Su language) I am a god who has lived through countless eons and holds authority… and you are just a mere container with a fragment of me…”

After another half-growled, half-understood segment of Ancient An Su language, the sacred relic inside the cage burned fiercely again. This time, the other party seemed unwilling to cooperate in the slightest.

Xia’er frowned slightly.

Previously, Xia’er had only guessed, but now she could almost be certain that the mental condition of this spirit… didn’t seem very normal.

It alternated between arrogance and humility, often speaking to itself. Xia’er only calmed down slightly after throwing it into the Other Realm.

But when it came to key questions, such as what it truly was, the other party would slip into a frenzied state of non-cooperation.

Xia’er understood only a portion of what the other party said.

The spirit and consciousness of the other party were extremely powerful. If it broke free, it could overpower Xia’er enough to immobilize her.

From the current behavior, the other party seemed determined not to cooperate this time.

It seemed indifferent to being thrown into the Other Realm.

A mentally unstable spirit… this wasn’t good news for Xia’er.

She could directly bring the feather pen “Touch of Betrayal” to the system store, but this item was beyond her point budget to exchange. To investigate further, she would need to waste another simulation and trap the other party again.

This was too troublesome.

Moreover, from the Ancient An Su language the other party used, Xia’er heard the word “god.”

Was its true identity related to a god?

Or was its mental instability related to a god?

Now, Xia’er had basically figured out how to find the other party.

However, this method would greatly harm Xia’er’s mental state and bind her deeply to the evil sect Arrival Sect, which Xia’er found unacceptable.

Compared to being injured, she preferred to pass through quickly without any lingering concerns.

Should she take a risk?