"President Xia, this time you've been far too low-key, so low-key it's not like you at all."
"That's unlike me. I don't want to keep such a low profile. But—this time? May I ask President Ling what this means?"
Xia Xiange blew a smoke ring forward and leaned forward, looking completely bewildered.
Without any other strange interference, and finally able to have a frank and open discussion, Lingyan decided to stop with the cryptic exchanges.
"It seems you really don't remember anything. This isn't the first time you've done this—trying to ruin someone's life."
Upon hearing this, Xia Xiange paused, the cigarette he had just put to his lips.
"It seems you know you've done it before."
Gu Zhong sneered and stood up as well.
"I know, but the system says they all failed. As for the specifics of what we did, I really don't remember. So, are you two really old friends?"
Extinguishing the cigarette from her fingertips, Xia Xiange tilted her head back, her eyes shining brightly, as if she were plotting something again.
"Stop, we're not friends."
Gu Zhong turned his head away with a dark expression.
"System, that thing that guides you through the world, is it called a system?"
Having grasped the two unfamiliar yet familiar words in Xia Xiange's words, Ling Yan quickly pressed for an answer.
"Yes, system. Everything I need to do in this world is simply following the system's instructions. After all, if I don't, my soul will be scattered. What can I do? Come to think of it, I'm a victim too—"
Shrugging, Xia Xiange began to complain plaintively, as if she had truly suffered some injustice.
"Tch—victim."
However, all he got in return was a dismissive sneer from Gu Zhong.
"Gentlemen, the system suddenly lost contact with me, which must be your doing. I wonder if you can help me completely remove the system?"
As you have said, I was forced by it to do all sorts of bad things, which was not my intention.
If we could stop this endless cycle, it would be good for you and for me.
"I, Xia Xiange, will forever be grateful for the kindness of regaining my freedom and will repay it with the utmost gratitude."
Putting aside all pretense and nonchalance, Xia Xiange was making a solemn request to them.
However, the information they obtained from Xia Xiange greatly disappointed Lingyan and Gu Zhong.
Aside from knowing that this strange thing is called a system and being certain that it has been the one who has orchestrated the actions against Gu Zhong throughout countless lifetimes, we remain completely ignorant of its origins, causes, energy, weaknesses, and other crucial questions.
Xia Xiange's loss of memory is likely related to the system.
This system is attached to her soul, and there is no other way to remove it except by stripping it away or destroying it.
Relatively speaking, destruction is a simpler method; however, Lingyan does not believe that she or Gu Zhong are qualified to attack Xia Xiange.
But how exactly should this separation be done? Nobody knows.
"I can't do it."
Perhaps realizing that his refusal was too stiff, Gu Zhong added another sentence.
"At least not now. I can only barely shield you from its connection by relying on the power that is the same as the world. I can't do much more in this lifetime."
Moreover, the process of separating the spirit from the body is extremely difficult.
"Then in the next life, if you're not mistaken, we'll meet again."
Even the most perfectly fitted seams will have gaps; with a little cutting, you can always cut them off.
Xia Xiange was not discouraged after hearing Gu Zhong's words.
"Xia Xiange, you're still the same as before, ruthless enough to yourself."
Lingyan gasped at the way she expressed herself.
This process is like peeling the skin off a person, let alone the soul; it is a thousand times more painful.
"I don't know why, but I have an insatiable longing for freedom, and I'm willing to give up everything to get it."
His words carried a faint yet profound earnestness, and all who heard them believed in his sincerity.
——
"Beep beep! The system has encountered an unknown attack and is reconnecting. Switching attack mode - launching an indiscriminate attack."
A mechanical voice echoed in Xia Xiange's mind once again.
Before anyone could react, a black mass spread out from her center, so fast that it engulfed everything in the blink of an eye.
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Author's Note:
This world is finished! Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the next world will begin tomorrow!
//Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2022-03-22 23:14:59 and 2022-03-23 22:52:30!
Thank you to the little angels who watered the nutrient solution: Noelle 77 bottles;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
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#Demons and Demons in Chaos
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Chapter 115 Swordsman and Exorcist (Part 1)
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"Xuansheng, it's getting dark, we should go back!"
A boy of about seven or eight years old, wearing a brown short jacket and with a buzz cut, stood on the other side of the wooden bridge, waving and calling to his companion who was still standing there for some reason.
The boy called Xuansheng seemed not to hear him, still standing there blankly, his eyes fixed on the setting sun in the west.
A pale red halo spread out, painting the world with the last touch of brightness.
Places devoid of light appear desolate and gloomy, inspiring fear and dread at a single glance, as if some terrifying thing might leap out from them.
The shadow, which was gradually widening, had moved to the location where the two boys were.
The lingering light and the persistent darkness formed a clear boundary between them on the narrow wooden bridge.
"Xuansheng!"
The boy in the short jacket called out again, and stepped onto the wooden bridge with one foot in his worn-out straw sandals, seemingly wanting to go back.
But something invisible seemed to be blocking his way, making him hesitate, and his gaze toward the other side of the bridge grew increasingly anxious and fearful.
"Xuansheng! Hurry! If we don't leave now, those things will come out!"
The boy with the worn-out straw sandals retreated, and called out again, as if determined never to cross the wooden bridge. This was his last call; if his companion didn't leave, he would have no choice but to become someone who abandoned his friend.
The dark shadows moved further toward the bridge, and the sky grew even darker.
A gust of cold, bleak wind, carrying soil and fallen leaves blown from the riverside woods, swirled, fell, and then stopped near the bridge.
The clear river water under the bridge seemed to flow more rapidly, and the half covered by shadows looked like a bottomless black pool.
The darkness suddenly infiltrated the ground, and the boy in the short jacket quickly took a few steps back to make sure he was still in the dim sunlight.
However, Xuan Sheng remained motionless, prompting a chilling question: was he still alive?
Just as the boy in the short jacket had this thought and was about to flee, Xuan Sheng turned around with slumped steps, looking deflated, and listlessly replied, "Coming..."
Xuan Sheng stepped onto the bridge and walked step by step toward this side of the bridge.
One step, two steps, three steps. The boy in the short jacket put his hands on his waist and stared nervously at the bridge. Even when Xuan Sheng walked up to him, nothing happened that he had been vaguely expecting and fearing.
"Mishan, what are you looking at?"
Xuan Sheng turned around and glanced strangely at the wooden bridge, which was now completely submerged in darkness.
"It's nothing, it's just that there was an accident on a bridge a while ago, and I'm a little worried..."
Mi Shang relaxed and scratched his head sheepishly as he explained.
"Tch... suspicious and paranoid."
Xuan Sheng scoffed at this, looking completely unconvinced.
The two boys strolled away leisurely, their conversation gradually fading into the distance.
A muffled "thump" came from under the wooden bridge, as if something was knocking on it.
Immediately afterwards, a rustling sound rang out on the ground, like the sound of a heavy body being dragged, slowly following in their direction.
"Xuan...Xuansheng, did you hear anything?"
As he walked, Mi Shang sensed that something was wrong.
The fear of the unknown grew stronger in his heart, and he began to stutter as he turned to his companion for some comfort.
"Hurry up."
Xuan Sheng's face also turned serious. He also heard some strange noises behind them, getting closer and closer.
The sky had turned completely black, but they could vaguely see bright lights in the distance—the guiding lights that every household hung at their doorways.
"I'll be home soon. Once I'm home, I'll be safe..."
Mi Shang muttered to himself, and even though his legs were weak, he dared not stop for a moment. No one knew what kind of monster was following them.
However, there are some things that they cannot escape simply by wanting to.
The soles of my feet became sticky, and my worn-out straw sandals felt like stepping into a swamp, making it difficult to move another step.
"Xuansheng! Save me!"