Chapter 112: Beyond the Self

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Early autumn.
A fine, drizzling rain fell in a persistent mist. Perhaps because of the weather, Yuqing Mountain enjoyed a rare moment of tranquility; in the temple, only the resident "Taoist masters" were busy tending to the incense burners.
At a certain moment, the roar of an engine shattered the stillness. A yellow taxi sped along the winding mountain road and came to a precise halt in front of the main gate of the Yuqing Temple.
The car door opened.
A beautiful girl wearing a black trench coat stepped out.
The girl.
I glanced back at the stairs leading to the roof, then looked down at the first floor; the sound of the doors being forced open was already rising from below.
While Alice was taking the trial-sized samples out of the safe, Zhao Lingling was wandering around, admiring the exhibits in the display cabinets like a horse let loose in a field.
After a few more moments of casual chatter, Zhao Lingling and her group boarded the bus bound for the airport.

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Having traveled over mountains and across rivers, Lan Shengxue seemed to be alone once more. She did not rush down the mountain, but instead found a cave. She took out the Soul of Snowflakes and placed it alongside the seven-colored feather. Over the course of three days and three nights, Phoenix Baby’s true form was half restored.
With one hand, she reached toward Ning Cheng’s chest, intending to slip inside his lapel. To her surprise, Ning Cheng suddenly seized her by the throat and pushed her away.
The others followed Wang Jian’s gaze, and upon confirming it was indeed Commander Li, their bodies trembled slightly.
The process was incredibly complex. Xuan Tian had been on the brink of death; his divine power pool had been utterly drained, and his very vitality had been wrung dry. Recovering would be no easy task.
"Oh! I forgot! Don't worry, cousin; with me here, there's no way he'll ever get into our Kings Academy," Wei Xi said, patting Wei Qi on the shoulder with a laugh.
"What? The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Soul-Confusing Powder? Please, don't make me swallow that—I'll tell you everything!" The Seven Ancestors of Yin Mountain wept, feeling that this turtle was truly terrifying, a veritable messenger of the devil.
Having said this, Su Tianxiang drew a spirit-particle light gun from beneath his hovering seat and leveled it.
In truth, Mu Zi’ang knew that only ten minutes had passed since he had called his subordinates.
If he had initially only meant to point these youths in the right direction, Li Rui now found himself harboring the desire to recruit this boy. Without proper guidance, a youth as ruthless as this one would likely end up on a dark path.
They continued to drink and talk as if they had returned to the past, to that time when they carried no burdens, when they were free from the constraints of careers and the weight of responsibility.
By now, Susan had taken the pilot's seat of the Iron-Mouthed Shark. Seeing her skilled handling of the controls, the veterans were somewhat surprised, and their trust in her deepened. After all, the Iron-Mouthed Shark was a model developed by the Allied Forces; being able to pilot it suggested she was likely one of their own.

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"Mr. Ai, we have hired the world's most capable assassins. They have never failed before, so you may rest easy," Tang Yan said in a low, hollow voice.
Someone as ambitious as Yin Luoxuan naturally sought to command the full power of the Empire. His initial obedience to Han Yan had been nothing more than a means to use him to seize the throne.
Seeing Gu Lanshan huddled there in silence, showing no sign of wanting to come out, Sheng Shi wondered to himself: What is wrong with her? Is she unhappy, or is she unwell?
"That's right. Actually, I am capable of many things; you just don't know it yet." She lifted her head proudly, her posture as confident and haughty as a princess.
Gongye Nan suddenly understood, though she felt a measure of disappointment in her heart. She cared so deeply for Rong Yun, not wanting him to go through with the marriage alliance, yet she had been so generous toward her own situation.
With this thought in mind, Yu Xian spoke her intentions aloud, her two hands reaching toward Liunian's throat.
Those hands gripped my legs with great force, dragging my body downward. I formed a seal with one hand and struck, though I could not see what it was I had hit. A shrill scream pierced the air, my legs were released, and seizing the opportunity, I scrambled out as fast as I could.