Chapter 79

Chapter 1: Get Bigger, Get Prettier?

The fire blazed fiercely, climbing higher and higher. It started between the sixth and twelfth floors, then kept ascending until it reached the rooftop, where it bloomed into a blood-red lotus.

The rescue helicopter spotted this through aerial photography, and the people at the command center wiped their sweat.

“This isn’t ordinary fire. I suggest we don’t try to extinguish it; let it burn out.”

Firefighters’ water couldn’t put out spiritual energy fires, especially not of this caliber. They could only set up a fence to isolate it and let it burn itself out.

The good news was that most civilians in the building had evacuated. The remaining were likely spiritual energy manipulators under the Chamber’s employ. Those who died in the spiritual flames would be considered internal conflicts among spiritual energy manipulators, not accidental deaths.

With the civilians safe outside, they weren’t in a rush to leave. They stood around the fence, taking photos and videos, watching what might be the grandest daylight fireworks show of their lives.

They didn’t know the cause yet, just eager to jump on the trend, recording videos for Bilibili and Douyin. Once He Shu’s footage gets uploaded by big data, the truth will come to light.

Not long after, reinforcements from Xiangshan Tea House arrived. Ascending toward the summit, they found many bodies along the way.

“Mr. Murong’s team might’ve been wiped out. Residual water elements were found on the corpses. There are no signs of violent resistance, suggesting they were controlled throughout the battle.”

The commander reported to boss Wang Xingsheng.

“What about Fierce Face and Wu Bian?” asked Wang Xingsheng.

After a brief search, they concluded.

“Fierce Face is also dead, decapitated with little combat residue. The time to decide the winner must’ve been extremely short. As for Wu Bian, his body hasn’t been found.”

Everyone present gulped nervously.

They had all heard that today’s target was supposed to be a fourth-tier psychic ability user and a third-tier water element user. Yet, against two fourth-tiers and dozens of third-tiers lying in ambush, the result was an instant slaughter.

By now, everyone realized—the intel was fake.

Wang Xingsheng issued new instructions, leaving the commander with a complex expression.

“You, you, and you,” he selected a few subordinates skilled in survival and speed, “come with me. The rest stay here on standby.”

If they met those two girls on the summit, would they die instantly too? With uneasy hearts, they carefully climbed to the top.

Fortunately, they didn’t find Bai Ling or Yuan Xiaoling. Instead, they saw a dead girl and Murong Yi with a vacant stare.

…………

Down below, Bai Ling drove the car borrowed from the academic advisor, slowly returning with Yuan Xiaoling.

She decided to leave Murong Yi behind to suffer, though she wouldn’t personally torment him.

“The news and videos of Tianhai Tower burning from this afternoon to evening will spread across the internet. After marveling, people will start investigating the cause. By tomorrow, that live-streamed video will go viral.”

Bai Ling predicted as she drove:

“People will harshly condemn Yunhai Company and the Chamber, mostly via online verbal actions by civilians. In a few days, civilians will take actual actions, like filming videos boycotting Chamber products. Then, competitors’ spiritual energy manipulators will gradually test the waters until the war fully ignites.”

She turned the steering wheel and said, “In this development, Murong Yi, as the focal point of condemnation, might get captured by opponents and executed live.”

That’s why she let him live—for the spectacle. That’s what some call being alive but already dead.

“I see,” Yuan Xiaoling blinked her eyes. “Bai Ling, your analysis is impressive.”

Bai Ling smirked coldly, “Just seeing through human nature.”

Still, getting praised by the blonde busty girl boosted her mood ↑.

“By the way, if Tianhai City starts its chaos, will you intervene?” Yuan Xiaoling asked.

“Nope.” Bai Ling answered simply. “Tianhai City’s waters run deep, not worth it.”

Anyway, the Yun Family will send someone over, becoming part of the great chaos to seize Tianhai City. If she interferes, what if they don’t come?

No, given their performance last life in Tianhai, they’re more likely to escalate, sending even stronger spiritual energy manipulators. That’d be bad for her.

“So, what are your next plans? I mean, in terms of living?”

“…What?”

“Look, you’ve avenged part of your grudge, and the rest won’t be resolved anytime soon,” Yuan Xiaoling tilted her head upward, “besides revenge, what else do you want to do?”

Bai Ling paused, slowing down her driving.

Want to… do something else?

This question was tough. Recalling memories from ten years ago, in her previous life, she was struggling to survive in assassinations hired by gray-clad persons.

The following decade alternated between “seeking the truth” and “being hunted.” The belief that kept her moving forward was hatred.

But the blonde girl asked her, beyond hatred, what did she want to do for her own life?

“I don’t know.” She said.

As Yuan Xiaoling was about to speak, she suddenly felt her phone buzz. It was a text from home—

[Dear Ningning, greetings. By June, your finals should be coming up soon. I heard your university lets out early, so I’m not sure when you’ll return. I’ll meet you at the airport.

Your mom is busy with work, so she may not come, but she’ll wait for you at home. We’ll go back together. Also, the Yuen family has a gathering during summer vacation. Your cousins and uncles hope you’ll visit for a while. Let me know if you want to go. If not, I’ll say you’re working part-time.

Come back soon, love from Dad.]

Yuan Xiaoling blinked her eyes, making a decision.

“Bai Ling,” the blonde busty girl scooted closer, “we have our final exams in a couple of days. Afterward, let’s go to my place, how about that? Perfect timing to avoid the chaos in Tianhai City.”

Going to the Yuan family?

Bai Ling turned her head and saw Yuan Xiaoling leaning toward her, her innocent face filled with anticipation. Her gaze slightly downward revealed the unmistakable outline of plump white bunnies beneath her collar.

“Alright…”

There was no way to refuse.

“Okay, we’ll leave after the exams.”

Yuan Xiaoling happily sat back, thinking she was indeed clever. Just now, she deliberately posed that way knowing Bai Ling couldn’t resist.

After all, having been a beauty for ten years, one should have mastered certain skills.

But Ningning overlooked one thing—any cunning trick comes with side effects. And the side effect of her move just now was… gaining credibility.

Bai Ling abruptly turned the steering wheel, heading down another road.

“We’re not going back to school tonight. Let’s stay at a hotel.”

“?” Yuan Xiaoling was shocked, “You’re not returning the car to the academic advisor?”

“Returning it tomorrow is fine too. A glance will do.”

A glance to plant psychological suggestion so the academic advisor won’t get mad.

Yuan Xiaoling felt uneasy, rubbing her hands and cautiously saying, “Bai Ling, look, so much happened today. For you, it’s a minor turning point in life. Shouldn’t you calm down first, reflect a bit?”

Athletes should focus more on reflection.

“You’re right,” Bai Ling nodded seriously, “so I need your help to relax and calm down.”

Yuan Xiaoling thought there was a chance, quickly asking, “How can I help? What should I do?”

“Nothing special, just lie still,” Bai Ling replied calmly, “or if you prefer, you can lay face-down or hug.”

“…”

So basically, helping her enter sage mode.

Which indeed counts as calming down and relaxing…

They didn’t return to school but didn’t go too far either, finding a hotel near the school gate. Why would there be a couples’ hotel near the university entrance? Probably for convenience.

Stopping the car, seeing Yuan Xiaoling’s sulky face, Bai Ling pinched her cheeks.

“Don’t worry, we’re not going in tonight.”

She always thought she was good at comforting others—though that was her own opinion.

“Really?”

Yuan Xiaoling’s eyes lit up. If it’s a fair fight, she wasn’t afraid of Bai Ling.

Let Bai Ling taste the power of her cuteness!

Entering the room and cuddling on the big bed, Bai Ling indeed didn’t make a move as promised, just intertwining their legs.

At this moment of relaxation, she couldn’t help but think deeply about many things.

About hatred, about the path of vengeance, about the hardships of her past life, and about the changes in this life.

Zhang Shengkang, Zhang Shanshan, the gray-clad person, Yi Jie—all these enemies from her past whom she once clenched her teeth against, had all been crushed by her own hands. Murong Yi’s days were numbered too.

Everything was changing, but what would the future hold?

She pondered life on the bed, while Yuan Xiaoling atop her grew restless.

What a guy! Finally, a fair fight to compare their cuteness, only to realize she was putting in all the effort while Bai Ling was lost in thought.

Time to give her a lesson!

“Hmm?”

Bai Ling snapped out of her random thoughts, sensing something unusual—a peculiar water current growing restless, seemingly transforming into a special form.

“What are you doing?” she asked softly.

Yuan Xiaoling huffed, mimicking Bai Ling’s old tone, coldly saying,

“A gun like a dragon commands ten thousand troops, a life like the Yellow Springs never looks back.”

Bai Ling raised her head, confused.

Then, she heard the blonde busty girl shout,

“White Dragon!”

Hiss…

This wasn’t an indirect attack anymore; it was direct mouth-to-mouth combat. Finally displaying her true strength, Yuan Xiaoling didn’t lose this time.

It ended with mutual exchanges.

Yuan Xiaoling didn’t lose since she didn’t pass out. How could you say she lost?

Bai Ling…she enjoyed it too, so it couldn’t be called a loss.

Let’s call it a win-win.

Zzzzz

The next morning, Bai Ling woke up, got dressed.

Her movements woke Yuan Xiaoling, who although not fully awake, tried to open her eyes.

Her body felt heavy, completely unrested, attempting to rise but flopping back down.

“You should sleep more. Go back to school after you’re fully rested,” Bai Ling said helplessly, “if you’re hungry, press the bell; the hotel provides breakfast.”

“I’m not trying to sleep,” Yuan Xiaoling said seriously, “just resting a bit.”

What does “fully rested” mean, implying she worked hard last night? From a post-facto perspective, doesn’t that mean losing?

Ningning refused to admit defeat.

“Fine, fine, you rest a bit more. I’ll head back to school first.”

Bai Ling picked up her sport bra—it had nothing to do with being an athlete; mainly because it was breathable and convenient, plus her chest wasn’t large.

But today, as she wore it, she raised an eyebrow.

…Smaller?

This bra was high quality, definitely not shrinking after washing. So only one possibility remained—her chest had grown larger.

Bai Ling didn’t dwell on it. In her previous life, she was fleeing, suffering in the Zhang household, barely eating enough. Malnutrition. Now, with proper nutrition every day, catching up during the tail end of puberty was normal.

She’d just buy a bigger size at the school store later.

Tap tap tap tap. After Bai Ling left, Yuan Xiaoling flipped over in bed.

“Thinking it over, last night was still somewhat disappointing,” the blonde busty girl muttered, “though I saved face, I didn’t sneak in my weekly routine… Oh yeah, system, where’s my weekly routine?”

It’s already Wednesday!

[Ding dong, sorry host, due to attempts to parse and restore timeline memory from before, I forgot to remind you automatically.]

“How could you take so long figuring that out? If you can’t figure it out, just stop thinking about it.”

[Ding dong, I’ve parsed the most probable answer.]

The system gave an unexpected response.

“Really? Tell me then, what’s the answer?”

[Ding dong, regarding the reason “each time after being made unconscious by the protagonist restores partial memories,” I’ve parsed the most likely explanation. Additionally, based on this conclusion, I discovered another matter.]

……

On campus, Bai Ling walked into the classroom, and sure enough, classmates were discussing yesterday’s events.

“Did you see the news? Tianhai Tower caught fire.”

“Do we even need to watch? I was eating lunch near the city center yesterday, looked up, and saw the tower burning. Wow, it was like a torch.”

“It burned the whole afternoon, super scary, dude.”

Seems like the news is still spreading. Don’t know when the video will surface, probably this afternoon.

Her two roommates weren’t talking much about Tianhai Tower but surrounded her instead, “Bai Ling, did you and Yuan Xiaoling go out to play again? You look radiant.”

Hmm? Radiant?

Means looking good, right?

“Yeah, yeah,” another roommate chimed in, “is this the nourishment of love? The effect is amazing; you seem prettier than ever.”

In the classmates’ eyes, Bai Ling used to be a cold ice queen. More handsome than pretty, with an aura.

But today, she was undoubtedly a beautiful little ice queen. The word ‘beautiful’ wasn’t exaggerated at all.

“Even your chest got bigger. Tsk tsk, could this be what they call ‘husband-wife resemblance’?”

——————-Divider——————-

PS: Next chapter will explain, very reasonable.