Chapter 271

Bai Ye stood to the side, utterly dumbfounded, his mind racing, almost ready to slam the table and shout, “Truly invincible!.”

Ning Ning was far more formidable than he had ever imagined. She had skillfully turned defense into offense, taking Gu Zhaozhao’s flowery and pretentious words and turning them into her own weapon.

Not only did she subtly imply that Gu Zhaozhao spoke one way to people and another way to others, but she also pointed out that the woman had a short temper and a bad attitude.

The key phrase, “This is all my fault,” was the true masterstroke.

In an instant, Ning Ning crafted an image of herself as a delicate and helpless victim, leaving Xie Yu without any grounds to question her.

As for Gu Zhaozhao…

She had been striving to maintain the image of an innocent saint, pure-hearted “White Lotus” and could never admit that she was the same as the “White Moonlight bad woman” Ning Ning was hinting at.

All she could do was swallow her frustration in silence, forcing herself to smile and endure the mockery.

Brilliant.

If Ning Ning ever published a book, Bai Ye would be the first to buy it.

Gu Zhaozhao and Xie Yu, looking as flustered as two enraged flamingos, left together shortly after.

Having secured her victory, Ning Ning lazily yawned.

As she reopened her eyes, her gaze met Zhou Yimei’s from across the way.

Miss Zhou, ever perceptive, clearly recognized that this unfamiliar young woman was helping her.

Though there was still some wariness in her eyes, her expression had softened considerably from before.

“Thank you,” she said.

“No need.”

Ning Ning flashed her a grin, then glanced up at the sky.

The sun, which had been high in the sky not long ago, had somehow curled up beneath the clouds.

The sun halo spun layer by layer outward, growing fainter and more delicate, eventually merging with a stretch of serene, pale gray hidden within the cotton-like clouds.

To the side, dark ink-colored clouds began to roll in like waves.

A teasing breeze passed by.

Rain was coming.

“Miss Zhou,” Ning Ning said as she withdrew her gaze, smiling at her, “the weather today is quite nice.”

Perfect for drawing swords and killing people.

—

“No, no, everyone calm down. Before Zhou Yimei can exact her revenge, we need to clarify one thing.”

After bidding farewell to Zhou Yimei, Ning Ning followed the group to Bai Ye’s room, where they further discussed the next steps of their plan.

The sky outside was indeed growing darker, though no rain had fallen.

It felt as if someone had accidentally spilled ink across the heavens, heightening their guilty consciences.

“If this were reality, it would be fine, but we’re inside the Futu Realm. And what’s the nature of the Futu Realm? It’s born from obsessions.”

Bai Ye glanced at the thick clouds, lowering his voice.

“While we’re in here, our goal isn’t to act as heroes; it’s to help the realm’s master resolve their obsession.”

His smile disappeared as he adopted a serious expression.

“If we end up helping the wrong person, the difficulty of breaking out of the Futu Realm could increase tenfold. So, what do you think this place’s obsession actually is?”

Yonggui said, “Xie Yu is the master of the Futu Realm, and Zhou Yimei is his lifelong regret. If he realizes his misplaced affection, how could he free himself from guilt? There’s no doubt—he’s staying in this layer of the Demon-Refining Tower as a form of self-exile to balance his mind.”

Bai Ye: “In human language, please.”

“What Yonggui is saying is that Xie Yu’s obsession lies in his guilt.”

Ning Ning toyed with a round mirror on the table, resting her chin on her hand.

“Isn’t that how these stories always go? It’s only after the heroine dies that the hero realizes how much he loved her, and then—boom—overnight, he’s got white hair, crying every day, completely heartbroken. Yeah, it’s probably that kind of plot.”

Bai Ye scoffed coldly.

“Wait, you’re not seriously buying into that nonsense, are you? Other than characters in those stories, do you really think any normal person would place that much importance on love?”

He crossed his legs, speaking patiently but sarcastically.

“As a man, I can tell you this with absolute certainty: that we brothers would not stay chaste for some ‘white moonlight’ figure forever. We wouldn’t let a little regret or guilt ruin our lives. The world is full of excitement—why hang yourself on a crooked tree?”

His blunt but practical argument was followed by a gulp of water before he added, “Even if I were completely head over heels for someone and stayed single for life—so what? Love is just an optional condiment in life. Without it, I’d still be successful, rich, and admired by everyone—ah, what a life.”

In short, he didn’t believe Xie Yu’s regret over Zhou Yimei could have created such a massive illusion.

Real life wasn’t a love-struck novel.

Meng Jue didn’t disagree, instead playing along.

“Then, Bai Ye, what do you think caused the Futu Realm?”

“I’d say Xie Yu probably hates Zhou Yimei’s guts.”

Bai Ye’s eyes sparkled with confidence, and he spoke faster.

“Think about it. They may have fallen in love when they were young, but that was a long time ago. As years go by, no matter how intense the feelings were, they get worn down until there’s nothing left but a thin shell. Their relationship was already weak, and now Zhou Yimei wants to kill him. Not only that, she’s locked him away in the dark, miserable Demon-Refining Tower. Tell me, wouldn’t that create some pretty heavy obsessions?”

Ning Ning smiled.

“So, you think Xie Yu wants to kill Zhou Yimei in revenge.”

“Exactly!”

Bai Ye didn’t hesitate.

“Doesn’t that fit his character perfectly? Petty and vengeful.”

“But if Xie Yu really wanted her dead, he’s had plenty of chances in this Futu Realm. He wouldn’t have needed to wait for this specific moment.”

Pei Ji spoke in a low voice, his eyes shadowed by darkness.

“The fact that he hasn’t acted against Zhou Yimei yet shows that he still harbors some warmth for her.”

Both sides had valid points, as well as flaws in their reasoning.

The room fell silent, until Ning Ning’s clear voice rang out: “Wow, everyone, look! Miss Zhou is on the move!”

At this, everyone turned their heads.

Ning Ning had received a spirit vision orb from a woman in the Hundred Flower Deep.

During her recent conversation with Zhou Yimei, she had discreetly placed it on her shoulder.

Back during the Immortal-Demon War, such a tool had not yet been invented.

So even if Zhou Yimei noticed something strange, she wouldn’t be too concerned.

At most, she might think it was a mosquito, too trivial to distract her from her revenge.

“Since we can’t figure this out through discussion,” Ning Ning said, pointing to the round mirror before them, “why don’t we watch how the story unfolds?”

With that, she lowered her lashes and focused on the shadows reflected in the mirror.

A slender woman dressed in white stood at the door, gazing up at the turbulent sky.