"Are you angry?"
"No!"
"Are you angry?"
"Meow!"
Ah, say the word "No" too fast, and it easily turns into a cute cat meow.
Watching the slim back of Kiana, who was puffing up her cheeks and walking ahead, the boy smiled.
Bianka, hugging the furry Iron-Eating Beast, had already left satisfied. During their interaction just now, Fuli naturally didn't miss capturing the cute moments of the little goose playing with the panda.
Kiana, who had returned, was obviously not so happy. Well, she was launched as a distraction again, and she wasn't allowed to play with her sister who had turned tiny.
The current situation of this spiny-backed dragon mode of the cat was, in the final analysis, provoked by Fuli himself.
So, as usual, he began to try every means to coax his big white cat.
For this reason, he didn't even drive, just followed closely behind the little girl, wandering aimlessly through the streets and alleys.
He kept muttering all kinds of cheesy words, such as "Our Kiana's hands are like soft sprouts! Skin like congealed fat! Neck like a longhorn beetle larva! Teeth like melon seeds! Cicada-like forehead and moth-like eyebrows!"
At first, naturally, he was hissed at fiercely.
"This young lady doesn't think fingers like newly sprouted grass, skin like solidified lard, a neck as white and long as a beetle larva, teeth arranged as neatly as melon seeds, a forehead as high as a cicada, and eyebrows like moths are compliments!"
Several locals passing by were shocked to the core. The ancients wrote so beautifully, but you make it sound like the Wall of Flesh.
However, it didn't take long for the girl's attitude to soften.
After all, females are creatures of double standards. When she doesn't like you, your affection is harassment, and your concern is disturbance; when she likes you, your silence is profound, and your clumsiness is cute.
Moreover, ever since entering this cemetery, Fuli had been taking out various exquisite and delicious snacks from time to time to feed her.
At least for the sake of food, this young lady would barely—
Wait!
Cemetery?
"Stinky Fuli! Where did you get all this food?!"
"Took it out from the spatial equipment," the boy responded as a matter of course, winking at her. "Baby, you don't think I'm shopping in a cemetery, do you?"
"Oh, oh."
Kiana breathed a sigh of relief and turned to continue walking forward.
Her steps unconsciously accelerated a bit, as if she wanted to leave this place quickly, which was quiet but felt gloomy.
"It's called a cemetery, but actually, this is the Fyxestroll Garden."
Fuli put his hands behind his head, following leisurely while acting as a tour guide. "Located in the suburbs on the west side of the Luofu, it is a unique garden Delve built by Foxian master craftsmen hundreds of years ago."
"Originally, it was an elegant place for tourists to rest and feast. Unfortunately, it was later invaded on a large scale by a kind of spiritual creature called Heliobi. The environment became eerie and quiet, and it gradually fell into disuse."
Hmph! Showing off irrelevant knowledge again!
Academic slag Kiana puffed up her cheeks.
"Originally, I planned to choose this place for the Hyperion's Luofu branch," Fuli continued to chatter. "After inspection, I found it was too far from the city center and inconvenient for business, so I had to give up."
Fine, I'll count it as you doing your best for Hyperion's affairs.
Kiana pouted, and the little grudge in her heart dissipated a bit more.
After walking out of the Fyxestroll Garden range, the surrounding human presence obviously increased.
Many NPC vendors selling Luofu local specialties spawned on both sides of the street, with shouting and bargaining rising one after another.
Fuli raised his hand obediently to ask for instructions: "I want to pick some gifts for A-Ying to take back. Leader, do you have any ideas?"
No matter what, she was his properly accepted precious disciple, and he hadn't even given a decent return gift for the apprenticeship yet.
"Why buy? Just take some ready-made ones from the Massive Electric warehouse directly, okay?"
Kiana responded impatiently.
A-Ying, A-Ying, you just know how to bring girls home!
She could even imagine scenes, like her future self working hard outside to earn money to support the family, when suddenly a message came on her phone.
Female Neighbor: Hello, are you the resident upstairs?
Female Neighbor: You and your husband have been interacting non-stop since ten o'clock. I understand, I'm young too, but please consider the rest of other residents, okay?
Galloping Moon Sea Fish-Fish Cat: ??? I'm working overtime at the company!
Galloping Moon Sea Fish-Fish Cat: Transfer ¥3000, please accept.
Galloping Moon Sea Fish-Fish Cat: Sister, take the money and block the door for me, I'll be right there!
Female Neighbor: Long-gown Zhao Zilong requests to join the battle!
After a while—
Neighbor: Sister! Three Herrschers and five S-rank Valkyries came out of your husband's room. Little sister here can't hold on anymore!
After another while—
Female Neighbor: Little Wei, if you can't beat them, join them! Ehe, sister, your husband smells so good!
"No! It can't be like this!"
Kiana roared to the sky, her heart collapsing.
Meanwhile, Fuli had already selected several exquisite crafts with Luofu characteristics from the stall.
"Of course, we should take things from Massive Electric, but we can't just take our own stuff, otherwise wouldn't it seem insincere?"
He paid the money, turned around, and saw the white-haired Tuna's expression as if she was about to crack. He quickly comforted her: "Don't be angry. Didn't I help you ask Robin out? At that time, autographs and photos are all up to you. I won't get involved."
Robin!
Hmph!
Another girl!
Kiana ground her teeth. She had almost forgotten Robin's imaginative pause and blush when asked by the unscrupulous reporter if she had intimate physical contact with Fuli.
"Follow this young lady!"
The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. She grabbed the boy's wrist, jumped up without explanation, lightly landed on the upturned eaves of a Tang-style building next to them, and sat side by side on the edge of the roof.
"This!"
She took out a peculiarly shaped tablet from her small bag: "Come, test it!"
"Test what?"
Fuli took it curiously and found that the screen interface was clearly divided into two.
The left side was a blank box, and the right side was a cyberpunk device full of mechanical and rugged style.
—Curio: Affinity Resonance Tester. It can present the subject's subconscious preference for the target in a visibly discernible way.
The usage is simple and easy to understand. First, place a photo of a beautiful girl in the left frame.
The indicator device on the right will flash and provide feedback with corresponding frequency, sound, and intensity according to the tester's affinity for her.
"First is Mei!"
Kiana moved quickly, dragging a photo of a youthful and moving JK Mei wearing the Chiba Academy uniform into the left frame.
The indicator device on the right side of the tablet was silent for a moment, then—
Swish, swish, swish, swish.
The flashing rhythm was soothing, and the feedback intensity was moderate. It was a gentleness like spring breeze and rain.
Then she switched to the current Chief Scientist of Hyperion, the mature, cold, and glamorous Dr. Raiden Mei of Massive Electric.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The interval of the indicator flashing became longer, and the sound became heavy, but every time was deafening, like a giant bell ringing!
Obviously, for this gold-swallowing beast that made him both love and hate, Fuli's mentality had changed from initial pity and care to wishing he could punish her heavily and vigorously!
"Then the two Generals for whom you fought in public."
Kiana narrowed her eyes and successively inputted the heroic official images of Feixiao and Fu Xuan.
"That was just exaggerated hype by unscrupulous media..."
The person involved rubbed his forehead helplessly.
No, sister, making two beautiful Generals who are above ten thousand people fall for me? Do I deserve that?
Pfft—
The indicator device's feedback on Feixiao was quite peculiar. The affinity bar on the screen just rose halfway, then changed back on its own, as if encountering some compatibility problem.
In layman's terms: The opponent is too strong, can't beat her, follow the heart (cowardice) first.
Fu Xuan got absolutely no reaction, fully confirming that someone indeed had no worldly desires for the legal loli.
"Next is the Class Monitor!"
"I only have the purest respect and family affection for my cousin!"
Fuli declared righteously, but his gaze was unconsciously attracted by the photo Kiana showed.
Dressed in cyan clothes like ink wash painting, with Yin and Yang energy seemingly flowing between the fluttering sleeves, her temperament was ethereal and detached.
Ink-colored hair hung down smoothly, eyes calm as an ancient well, surrounded by faint Tai Chi patterns and auspicious cloud patterns, like a peerless banished immortal walking out of a scroll.
"Where did you get this photo?"
He couldn't help but be curious.
"Don't worry about it!"
Kiana hmphed, her eyes locked on the right side of the screen.
—No reaction, silence.
"It seems you tell the truth occasionally."
After testing three people with safe results, the girl visibly turned from cloudy to sunny.
However, just a second before she was about to change the photo.
BOOM!!!
The sound feedback of the indicator device suddenly exploded with a terrifying potential energy almost like splitting heaven and earth, sweeping away everything!
The violent vibration even made the tablet itself emit an overwhelmed hum, and ripples appeared in the air around the interface!
"..."
"..."
"Hypocrite!"
Kiana squeezed out a word through her teeth.
This is what you call "only respect for your cousin"?
"Cough, cough!"
Fuli coughed violently, his eyes drifting, not daring to look at her at all.
After that, adhering to the principle of thoroughly understanding the enemy situation, Kiana tested almost all the photos of acquaintances in the address book.
Rita, Theresa, Himeko, Tribios, A-Ying, Vill-V, Mobius, Topaz, Qingque, Robin, Wendy, Houraiji Kyuusyou, Yunli, Kallen, Incresion, Ironmaiden, Asta, Ana, Cat Cakes, Sauce, Kurikara...
She didn't even let go of those met only once, like Yaoyehime, Mu Hanyin, and Tieshi Yixia, highlighting a "countless immortals lined up like hemp."
If it were just this, it would be fine.
"Hey! What do you want to do putting Cocolia's photo up there?!!"
"Ah, sorry, sorry."
This time it was Kiana's turn to be embarrassed, frantically taking down the ghost picture.
Then she took a deep breath and solemnly put up a daily photo of Bronya.
The indicator device was as quiet as a chicken, no reaction.
Normal, because this was the Urals Silver Wolf in normal state, the tiny one.
The girl's fingers operated quickly, switching to the combat image of Silverwing Bronya with a tall, graceful figure and cold, mature temperament.
Swish swish swish swish swish swish swish!
The flashing frequency soared to an unprecedented height! The intensity was jaw-dropping!
Kiana glanced at him sideways, then switched to a frontal close-up of Durandal, heroic and imposing with flying golden hair.
Swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish!!!
It was even more exaggerated than testing Silverwing! Almost breaking the display limit of the Curio!
"Damn it!"
I knew it!
The girl glared at Old Li who plotted against her sister, as if trying to burn two holes in him with her gaze.
The latter scratched his cheek awkwardly, trying to change the subject: "Then why don't you put up a photo of yourself and try?"
"H-How can I be embarrassed to do such a thing!"
Kiana's pretty face turned completely red, her tone shameful and indignant, but deep in her heart, there was a trace of excitement wanting to find out, and more worry.
What if my score is not as good as Big Sister and Bronya?
That result was suffocating just thinking about it!
"Don't worry about this." Fuli patted his chest to guarantee: "You are my official fiancée, with high status, unshakable."
"Auntie is also your nominal fiancée."
Kiana pouted, but eventually, under someone's encouraging (instigating) gaze, she twisted and turned to pull out a photo she carefully selected and was quite satisfied with privately.
First to enter the view was a pair of pure white high-tops, perfectly restraining the girl's slender and beautiful ankles.
Looking up, a pair of snow-white, long, peerless legs were exposed. Her skin was delicate and elastic, glistening flawlessly like a work of art under the sunlight.
Her upper body was clad in a slightly cropped white casual shirt, propped up by the full and perky abundance of her chest, boldly revealing a slender waist that rivaled the purity of driven snow.
Cascading silver-white hair flowed freely to her waist. In the moment she turned back, her azure eyes seemed to hold a galaxy of stars; a single glance was enough to captivate the soul.
"This is truly..."
A look of irrepressible awe flashed through Fuli's eyes. He loved this girl no matter how she styled her hair.
But undeniably, this pure, flawless long straight silver hair exuded the most goddess-like aura, perfectly highlighting her unique charm—a blend of innocence and the allure of a girl blossoming into womanhood.
On the other side, Kiana held her breath in nervousness, staring unblinkingly at the right side of the screen.
One second.
Two seconds.
A full nine seconds—the duration of Dio's peak time-stop—passed.
Still, dead silence.
In previous tests, as long as the subject wasn't a non-human like the Cat Cakes or Kurikara, even legal lolis like Fu Xuan and Theresa elicited some feedback from the Curio, differing only in intensity.
A situation like this, where the reaction completely flatlined to absolute zero, was unprecedented.
What did this mean?
[It means that deep within the Host's heart, his perception of Kiana Kaslana has long transcended the realm of worldly desires] Dr. MEI on the moon revealed the secret.
His feelings for her were no longer simple liking or lust, but had ascended to the level of faith.
Just as the most devout believer might marry and have children, they would never harbor a single blasphemous thought toward the God they worshipped.
"..."
Kiana always looked dopey, but she really wasn't stupid. Otherwise, she couldn't have wandered the perilous Eurasian continent alone for years.
She quickly realized this heart-shaking yet complex truth. Her gaze towards the boy became incredibly chaotic, mixed with touched emotion, confusion, and a trace of indescribable loss.
Fuli himself didn't think much of it.
"Switch to 'A-Quan' (Herrscher of the Void form)," he suggested.
The person involved subconsciously complied, dragging a beautiful photo of herself in gorgeous attire with an arrogant posture into the frame.
Swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish swish!!!
The Curio went on a rampage!
The frequency and intensity maxed out instantly, the violence of the reaction not losing in the slightest to the peak data from testing Durandal!
"See? People change, and mindsets are fluid," Fuli shrugged. "I'm not a stone or a saint. When we actually get married and enter the bridal chamber, I guarantee you won't be able to get out of bed for three days and three nights."
"You! You, you, you, you big pervert!"
The blunt and vulgar words quickly pulled Kiana out of her complex and heavy emotions. Her cheeks flushed red to the tips of her ears as she swung her little fists to hammer his chest.
With the invincible Gold Cloth, 90% of the physical impact was absorbed and neutralized, so it wasn't a big problem.
"Pwah!"
But Old Li still feigned agony, clutching his chest and falling backward dramatically, motionlessly cosplaying a dying general.
"Fuli!"
The kind-hearted girl fell for it immediately, crying out in alarm and leaning in anxiously to check on him.
The small hand reaching out was suddenly seized by a warm palm. Kiana was caught off guard and pulled into a solid embrace.
A soft, fleeting sensation touched her lips; a kiss light as a dragonfly skimming water landed gently.
"Now you should be reassured, right?"
Fuli looked down at her, his eyes holding a gentle smile.
"Hmph!"
The girl shot him a charming glare, looking like a big lazy cat that had been stroked comfortably.
Though her mouth was still grumbling, her body honestly relaxed.
She curled up in his arms, turning her exquisite little face away, the corners of her mouth quietly rising.
---||---
Leaving the Hyperion encampment, Incresion took a specialized vehicle provided by the Luofu authorities, arriving at the Seat of Divine Foresight without obstruction.
After layers of strict and tedious identity verification by the Cloud Knights, she was led to an extremely spacious conference room.
The design here was quite thoughtful; numerous seats were cleverly separated into independent, semi-enclosed cubicles.
It was difficult to see the true faces of others, clearly a special accommodation for participants who did not wish to reveal their identities.
And the sole reason for their presence was to use the superb cover of the Wardance to secretly discuss the deeply hidden, mysterious organization known as the World Serpent, obtaining intelligence and countermeasures.
The only person calmly bathing in the spotlight at this meeting was the host—Fu Xuan.
The Master Diviner General was dressed in solemn attire, her expression awe-inspiring, her posture upright, her demeanor exuding steady grandeur.
On the table lay a stack of important documents just delivered by her subordinates. She casually picked up the top one and opened it to read while waiting for all participants to arrive.
July 13, Playing cards.
Fu Xuan: ???
She read on.
July 14, Playing cards.
July 15, Playing cards.
July 16, Qingque, oh Qingque! How can you be so depraved! Have you forgotten all the plans you set before? I reflect on myself three times a day; I cannot go on like this!
The handwriting was slightly scribbled, seemingly carrying a trace of remorse.
July 17, Playing cards.
QING—QUE—!
A clear vein popped on the General's smooth, fair forehead. She almost shattered her porcelain-white teeth from grinding them.
"Ah... Achoo!"
The Little Sparrow, working overtime in the Divination Commission archives, rubbed her nose, wondering if someone was badmouthing her again.
I've already sent those important documents to the General. There shouldn't be any mistakes, right?
"Sigh..."
Looking at the mountain of files before her, the girl sighed deeply.
I can resist anything except temptation.
Any hardship can knock me down!