Chapter Forty: He Wants to Tease You

The system had only quietly reviewed all the storylines because it sensed the plot was veering off course.

"I believe the reason for the changes lies with you and the Demon Overlord. In the original plot, there was neither the Flame Qilin Beast nor that strange barrier."

Ning Xianyu replied, "So, apart from people from the Demon Realm, is someone else interfering with the people of Xu Town?"

The system admitted its ignorance. "I don't know exactly what's happened, but this is too far off the script. And you—there's something wrong with you, do you know that?"

Ning Xianyu quickly patted herself down. "What's wrong with me? I have no idea."

The system pressed, "Haven't you noticed anything? Do you feel any difference between being in Xu Town and here?"

Ning Xianyu thought for a moment. "Nothing at all. What should I feel?"

She genuinely felt normal—apart from the discomfort of inhabiting a man's body, everything else was perfectly fine.

The system almost slapped its virtual thigh in frustration. "The fact that you don't feel anything is the problem! Both Xu Town and the Demon Realm are saturated with demonic energy. Xuanyuan Tunhan and Yi Tianling both used spiritual power and magic treasures to ward off the miasma, but you—without doing anything—are completely unaffected."

If the system hadn't pointed it out, Ning Xianyu truly would have been oblivious.

But now that she considered it, something did seem off.

"So, what's wrong with me?"

The system analyzed, "After some consideration, I think the effect of the Nine-Branch Ephemeral Flower you consumed is still at work."

"Huh?" Ning Xianyu patted herself down again. "Are you saying I’ve turned into a Nine-Branch Ephemeral Flower?"

The system mulled it over. "I don’t know for sure, but right now you possess some of the flower’s abilities. You can purify demonic energy, and even influence your surroundings."

"In Xu Town, Yi Tianling was in agony, but felt relief as soon as you approached. Saba and the others also kept gravitating toward you—for the same reason: you purify demonic energy."

Ning Xianyu was utterly horrified.

The little person in her mind was howling in despair.

"I don’t want this! I don't want such a terrifying skill!"

The system scolded her, "You’re utterly ungrateful. Why would you reject such a marvelous ability?"

Ning Xianyu thought the system was the one being absurd. "If you were in my place, would you want to be captured and used as a human purifier?"

One is not guilty, but treasures invite trouble. She had no real power—if someone discovered her skill and imprisoned her as a living purifier, wouldn’t she be doomed?

"Let's leave quickly—I don’t like the Demon Realm."

Everyone in the Demon Realm needed purification. If they discovered her ability, wouldn’t she become like that Blood Source Stone, locked up and worshipped day and night?

It was terrifying—she refused to be a prisoner; she wanted to be a free and idle soul.

The system laughed heartily, "If it ever comes to that, why not take the opportunity to bargain? Be a well-fed, pampered slacker, just like the Demon Saintess. Wouldn’t that be nice?"

---

"To hell with you! I’m going to file a complaint against you."

Ning Xianyu hugged her small frame, feeling utterly miserable.

"If I return this body to Xuanyuan Tunhan, will the Nine-Branch Ephemeral Flower’s effect transfer to him instead of sticking with me?"

The system considered, "I’m not sure. The Nine-Branch Ephemeral Flower is a mysterious thing—it can cleanse the soul..."

So, perhaps the flower would follow her soul, taking root in her spiritual platform, and would remain with her even if she changed bodies.

Ning Xianyu felt even more like crying.

"Fairy Luna was a real swindler—she had to drag me down with her even in death."

It truly was a fatal pitfall.

"If the Demon Overlord finds out I can purify demonic energy, will he make a pendant out of me and hang me on his clothes?"

Given his abilities, if he wanted to catch her, she wouldn’t escape him even if she fled to the ends of the earth.

The system comforted her with malicious delight, "No worries—at worst you’ll die. I’ll apply for you, see if you can live in another world."

Ning Xianyu had absolutely no hope in that.

She said "see if," not "definitely."

This damned system had tricked her more than once or twice—she’d be a fool to trust it.

Now, Ning Xianyu just hoped no one would discover her secret, so she wouldn’t be captured.

Besides, her skill was so deeply hidden, with no clear signs; probably no one would notice.

Saba and the others liked to be near her, but couldn’t explain why, so their interest wasn’t fanatical.

Xuanyuan Tunhan sat nearby, who knows where he’d found a chair, sitting grandly with legs apart, exuding a heroic air.

Of course, if he’d been so bold in his own body, it would be better—the skirt was nearly torn apart.

He overheard Ning Xianyu and confirmed his suspicions.

He’d noticed in Xu Town that she was unaffected by demonic energy, and had suspected something was wrong with this woman. After entering the Demon Realm and seeing her remain perfectly fine, he formed a bold guess.

Now, knowing the Nine-Branch Ephemeral Flower was still effective in her body, he was even more eager to switch back.

Perhaps the flower’s effect would remain in his body, directly cleansing his heart demon.

If it followed the woman’s soul instead, that was fine—he could simply make her into a pendant and keep her with him.

Of course, he’d keep her—and the Blood Source Stone as well.

---

Those old fellows in the Demon Realm had enjoyed peace for too long—it was time to remind them who was in charge.

Otherwise, they’d never learn to behave.

With that thought, Xuanyuan Tunhan felt a surge of irritation—the flames in his spiritual platform flared up again.

"Come here!"

He looked coldly at Ning Xianyu.

Ning Xianyu reflexively put on a flattering smile, wanting to hurry over, but under his glare, she had to put on a cool facade, swishing her robes as she walked over at a stately pace.

Her robe fluttered, her figure tall and imposing, radiating an aura that warned strangers away—she looked dashing and elegant.

Xuanyuan Tunhan felt as if the fire in his spiritual platform would burst out. This woman had an uncanny ability to infuriate at any time, yet every time she’d swiftly apologize and dare repeat herself.

"What do you want?" she asked, using Xuanyuan Tunhan’s magnetic voice, which always made her feel endlessly charming and seductive.

Xuanyuan Tunhan suppressed the urge to hit her and pointed at the chair, telling her to sit.

His chair was long enough for three, but he sprawled out, taking up most of the space, leaving only a small spot—barely enough for one more person.

But that wasn’t the main point.

Ning Xianyu hesitated, frowning.

"The Demon Overlord wants me to sit with him—what does that mean?"

The system replied, "He probably wants to tease you. He’s got nothing better to do."

"Go to hell."

After a moment’s hesitation, Ning Xianyu, under his deathly gaze, finally sat down.

No sooner had she sat than the Demon Overlord shifted, leaning his whole body toward her.

Ning Xianyu screamed inwardly.

He—he—he actually leaned into her embrace?

"He really does want to tease you."

"Shut up!"