ATPnovel Chapter 1361: After modification: 53 It's All Human World
Chapter 1361: After modification: 53 It's All Human World
Chapter 1361: After modification: Chapter 53 It’s All Human WorldIn the city of Yin Guang, within a courtyard where a fierce battle had nearly erupted moments ago.
The corpses of men and women were stacked into an unnervingly neat cube.
A stone pillar rose abruptly from the ground, piercing through the corpses, emerging from their center, and then quickly expanded into a stone platform covered in intricate carvings.
Without the fleshy debris, the stone platform resembled an umbrella.
But with those corpses filling its form…
It became a sacrificial altar.
Or, one might say, a Gua Platform.
An entire courtyard full of lives, extinguished in an instant.
If there is reincarnation, if there are Ghost Chai to question them, asking why they had perished—
They wouldn’t have been able to answer.
At times, human lives are no sturdier than ants. The overwhelming gap in power makes it hard for some cultivators to still see humans as humans.
The human world often feels like a purgatory.
Now, a man clad in a scholar’s garments stood before the sacrificial altar, dipping his fingers in blood to draw alarming patterns upon the stone platform—
The design depicted a headless, naked figure whose body was adorned with sinister markings.
Details came alive under the artist’s pen-like strokes.
The city’s guard commander, Jingye, was bound as though he were a pig, his arms and legs tied tightly together and thrown into a corner of the courtyard.
“Diviner!” Zheng Fei glanced maliciously at Jingye. “Why don’t you just kill him?”
The diviner continued his careful sketching, not turning around.
“This one must not be killed,” he replied.
“Why not?” Zheng Fei asked, bewildered.
“Yes, why not?” Li Shou chimed in eagerly.
The diviner answered calmly, “There is no why.”
Though the Human Demon diviner seemed mild-tempered and never took offense at their obnoxious talk, even Zheng Fei and Li Shou knew better. When the diviner chose not to explain, it was best to drop the matter altogether.
Still, being Wan E Human Demon, Zheng Fei couldn’t resist leveraging the moment to strike a bargain: “Then you’ve gotta let us have some fun!”
“Yeah, exactly!” Li Shou eagerly played the follower’s role.
The diviner finished the last stroke with precision, placed his finger to his mouth, and gently sucked it clean of blood.
Sighing, he remarked derisively, “Your methods of killing are far too crude. The emotions lack depth, the condition is subpar, and the taste is disappointing.”
After delivering his cutting critique, he finally turned around and smiled faintly at Zheng Fei: “Weren’t you all desperately searching for that toy? Allow me to help you locate it now.”
But Zheng Fei didn’t appear pleased; instead, his face was riddled with suspicion: “I didn’t ask for your help!”
The diviner replied, “Don’t worry; I’m volunteering to divine it for you. No fee attached.”
He displayed a slightly unsettling grin: “I’m very willing to do this.”
…
…
Linyi City’s bustling prosperity was undoubtedly unmatched across the Eastern Region, with carriages flowing like rivers and horses weaving through like dragons.
The renowned Sanfen Xiangqi Tower, despite its substantial investment in such a majestic city, was merely ranked below the four great noble establishments.
However, in recent times, it had been flourishing, drawing the attention of certain aristocratic heirs and leaders of the romantic circles.
From the headquarters of Sanfen Xiangqi Tower came Tianxiang Fifth, Xiang Ling’er—the living emblem of their brand that drew people like moths to a flame.
She had temporarily been assigned to manage the branch in Linyi City, reportedly aiming to elevate it to rival the headquarters. There was even a rumor suggesting Sanfen Xiangqi Tower might move its headquarters to Qi Country.
Upon her debut in Linyi, Xiang Ling’er instantly attracted swarms of ardent admirers vying for a glimpse of her enchanting beauty.
Though everyone knew well that the Tianxiang and Xinxiang from Sanfen Xiangqi Tower were essentially independent, transcendent figures. The transcendent power of Sanfen Xiangqi Tower was almost akin to a sect of its own. The dual identities of Sanfen Xiangqi Tower—as a site of romantic allure and as a transcendent sect—were distinct entities.
Yet, due to the famed reputation in romantic affairs, people couldn’t help but entertain ambiguous thoughts about it.
They always felt… the possibilities were endless.
And Xiang Ling’er, with her youthful innocence and radiant purity, left an unforgettable impression on anyone who beheld her. She evoked boundless sympathy and tenderness.
A literati praised her as “a flawless nation’s beauty, blessed with childlike charm.”
The phrase captured her allure perfectly.
Linyi’s young noblemen were utterly enamored.
Nonetheless, Xiang Ling’er rarely entertained guests personally.
At this moment, her face bore a gleeful smile as she skipped playfully through the corridors, brushing past curtains.
Anyone who saw her would recognize her as a carefree young maiden.
The pink-painted door creaked open.
“Ah!” She exclaimed joyfully, “My dear sister, you’ve finally returned!”
Dressed in black with half her face concealed by a thin veil, Mei Yue was seated in Xiang Ling’er’s pink room next to a tea table.
Her soul-stirring eyes shifted slightly. “I heard you were just having tea with a distinguished guest from the Zhong Xuan Family? I’ve barely been gone, and you’ve turned this place into a thriving enterprise. Remarkable as ever.”
Xiang Ling’er deflated at this, pouting: “I hoped to discuss some collaboration, but who’d have thought he’s nothing more than a fancy cushion? He wasted my precious time!”
Mei Yue chuckled gently: “Someone of his age should at least have some experience, wouldn’t you say?”
Xiang Ling’er rolled her eyes: “An old embroidered cushion!”
Mei Yue softly poured the tea: “Considering he produced a talent like Zhongxuan Fenghua, he surely couldn’t be as bad as you make him out to be.”
“Since the son didn’t bite, the father had to step in,” Xiang Ling’er sighed heavily, visibly annoyed. “The man… I initially thought he was a tiger disguised as a pig, so I humored him and worked rather hard. Turns out he was just a pig! A pig acting like a pig—small wonder it was so convincing!”
Mei Yue couldn’t help but burst into laughter: “You and that sharp tongue of yours—it’s like smearing arsenic everywhere, delighting in tormenting others!”
Xiang Ling’er giggled mischievously and inched closer: “Where would I dare, dear sister? Taste it for yourself; it’s sweet!”
Mei Yue watched her with a bright smile but said nothing and didn’t retreat either.
She carried nine parts innocence and twelve parts allure.
Halfway through her approach, Xiang Ling’er paused in boredom, spun around, and seated herself on a nearby stool, reaching for the tea cup on the table. Her gaze, however, stayed fixed on Mei Yue as she spoke: “Dearest sister, you’re always slipping away like a Divine Dragon. Where have you been? We swore to come to the Eastern Region together, joining hands to establish something grand. Yet you’ve left your elder sister cold and lonely, tossing and turning every night in misery.”
“Sister.” Mei Yue laughed softly. “You have your affairs, and I have mine. Didn’t we agree not to interfere? Unless you’d care to tell me where you were in early March?”
Xiang Ling’er grinned coyly: “Where could I possibly have gone? Just places proper young ladies frequent. If my sister is curious, I’ll gladly take you next time.”
“Very well,” Mei Yue replied. “But if you’re truly curious, I’ll take you next time too.”
Xiang Ling’er took a dainty sip of her tea and chose not to press further, instead remarking, “My sister’s tea-making skills are exquisite!”
Mei Yue leaned back softly, exuding a hint of languid charm. “Few moments of peace in life, but serenity can always be found in tea.”
Xiang Ling’er laughed: “Ever since my dear sister tasted Eight-tone Tea within Qi Country, your realm has truly ascended!”
“No matter the realm, I’ll always need my sister by my side,” Mei Yue gazed at her. “Sister, we’re partners in this, after all.”
Xiang Ling’er shook her head lightly and smiled broadly, full of youthful cheer: “Sister, you best mean it!”
…
…
Now as for the old embroidered cushion… oh sorry, Uncle Zhongxuan Ming Guang.
He strutted out of Sanfen Xiangqi Tower, brimming with pride.
Everyone says the Tianxiang and Xinxiang of Sanfen Xiangqi Tower are elusive, too lofty for even the wealthiest and most powerful to approach. Yet here was Uncle Ming Guang, walking in effortlessly, meeting them simply, sharing tea, songs, and conversation.
Clearly, his charm had not aged, his allure as grand as ever!
As he bent down to enter his sedan chair, he happened to spot a carriage pulling up nearby. From it stepped a noble young man dressed in luxurious garments, clearly heading to visit Xiang Ling’er.
“Ahem!”
He cleared his throat distinctly: “Ah Shu, upon seeing your elder, wouldn’t it be polite to offer a greeting?”