At this moment, Gu Qingying, leaning against the wall as she fell, felt as if every bone in her body was about to shatter.
The pain in her internal organs was so intense it felt as though they had been displaced.
Gu Qingying slid down the wall, guided by gravity, like a torn painting, blood continuously spilling from the corner of her mouth.
The system’s modification effect had already failed the instant she took such a heavy blow.
She slumped weakly in the corner, her face pale as paper, her aura wilting to the extreme.
Even lifting a single finger had become an extraordinary struggle for her.
The Love-String Sword, originally gifted to her by her master, had slipped from her grasp and fallen not far from her side.
The purple light on the blade dimmed along with it.
Gu Qingying painfully lifted her head.
Her vision blurred from the agony and weakness, barely able to make out the white-clad zombie steadily and heavily approaching her.
Those cold blood-red eyes were filled with the cruel playfulness of a cat toying with a mouse.
“Damn it… I never expected that I, a Future Ascension-Stage Cultivator reborn with memories of my past life, would meet my end at the hands of a filthy creature like you…”
“Ah… careless! So unwilling! This really is the end of all my schemes…”
Pain, panic, unwillingness…
All of it engulfed her, consumed by an unstoppable surge.
Ah…
I really can’t accept this!
Why does it have to be like this?
Why?
Why does it always end this way?
Gu Qingying widened her eyes and roared out loud!
And the white-clad zombie kept advancing toward her with unbearably heavy steps!
Damn it…
Is my life really going to end here?
Just like that!
After all the hardships and sufferings I’ve endured!
After sending off senior sister and suppressing my own inner demons!
I was so close… so close to living forever alongside master…
Damn it…
I really don’t want to die!
This is not the life I envisioned!
It hurts!
It hurts so much…
Gu Qingying howled in agony, her nerves burning as if scorched by cannon fire.
She recalled the helpless, painful feeling when Gu Hongchen killed their master in her previous life, realizing how fitting that helplessness was to her current situation!
She gripped her skull tightly, scratching her face fiercely until it was torn, yet still unable to ease the pain within.
Her mind was about to explode…
Damn it… damn it all!
Why…
Even though I’ve been given a second chance at life, even though I’ve suppressed my inner demons with memories from my past life, even though I have the modification system and should be able to stand on my own!
I’m supposed to be no longer weak and helpless like before!
I’ve supposedly seized my fate tightly!
I should be able to escape this powerless anger and unwillingness!
Yet reality keeps slapping me in the face again and again!
Gu Qingying realized she could do nothing.
Even though she had been reborn with the modification system, there were still things beyond her control!
Yes, the world is so cruel…
Even if you are a Future Ascension-Stage Cultivator, you cannot defy it!
No matter how you resist, it silently keeps moving forward!
The world will keep turning without you, no matter how furious your heart is.
You remain weak and powerless!
Even if your own inner demon kills your master, you can only silently endure it!
You can only watch as master and senior sisters perish!
Gu Qingying, now you remember, don’t you?
From beginning to end, you were nothing but trash!
No matter how smart you are!
No matter how outstanding your talent!
A genius who hasn’t matured is no genius at all!
Even reborn, your core remains that worthless waste!
You can’t do it!
You can’t do anything!
Do you remember now?
Remember those times dominated by anger and unwillingness?
Remember the feeling of helplessness?
“Ugh… It’s not like that! It’s not like that!”
Gu Qingying hated that weak, useless, trash-like version of herself so much—hated the girl who could only hide behind master and senior sisters!
Hated the foolish child who refused to listen to their advice!
Facing the slowly advancing white-clad zombie, Gu Qingying let out a final roar through her torn vocal cords, tears welling up.
“Master! I… really don’t want to leave you!”
The clouds in the sky had already been scattered by the wind…
Revealing the bright Blood Moon, its glow casting an eerie red over the distant mountainsides, spreading like crushed peach blossoms, crimson across the land.
In the darkness, it seemed as if a demon was laughing wickedly!
In that deep space of pitch-black darkness, a bored young girl tilted her head, propping her right cheek with her hand, legs crossed as she sat in a tall, straight-backed chair.
Opposite her was a glowing screen.
The surroundings resembled a private theater, and the girl was the only audience.
What was more interesting was that if one looked closely at the screen, they would be surprised to see that the protagonist on the screen looked exactly like the girl in the space, as if a reflection in a mirror…
Or rather…
That was her other self in reality!
The girl watched a movie starring herself.
Judging by her reaction, this film was evidently not very well made.
Suddenly, she angrily slapped the armrest of the chair beside her and complained with a headache.
“Sigh… so stupid! Even with that trash system’s help, you still can’t win? A waste is a waste!”
“Looks like I’ll have to step in, huh?”
With that, she waved her hand and walked straight into the screen…
“Hey… Gu Qingying, after all these years, you’re still the same waste you were back then!”
“Heh… to be bullied to this extent by a Foundation Establishment zombie…”
“See? Without me… you’re just a loser!”
“Who’s there? Who’s speaking?”
Hearing the mocking voice suddenly ring in her ear, Gu Qingying curiously asked.
Then she noticed time around her had stopped!
“It’s me…”
From the depths of darkness, a girl identical to Gu Qingying appeared before her.
Yet, from an outside perspective, it seemed Gu Qingying was alone, talking to herself.
“Gu Hongchen! How did you come out?”
Facing the born-again inner demon who had broken through the mental seal and emerged from her body, Gu Qingying shouted hysterically.
“Because you’re about to die, so I came to see you.”
Gu Hongchen smiled alluringly, tapping the Protective Talisman Shield around Gu Qingying that was about to shatter, smiling sweetly at her.
Gu Qingying stared at her for a moment, then decisively began meditating to restore her energy.
“What are you doing?”
Gu Hongchen asked confusedly.
“I need to seal you quickly! Gu Hongchen! Even if I die, I’ll take you down with me!”
Gu Qingying silently recited the Liuli Pure Heart Mantra, preparing to suppress the inner demon again.
“Don’t waste your effort. You can’t imprison me. And once you die, your body will belong to me!”
Gu Hongchen said, revealing a sarcastic smile:
“I can’t wait to use your body to relive the ‘good times’ with master from our past life~”
Gu Qingying roared, “Gu Hongchen! You’re asking for death!”
Gu Hongchen laughed, “You’re the one asking for death. Facing death and you’re busy fighting me inside instead of dealing with that damn zombie!”
Hearing this, Gu Qingying immediately realized there was more to her words.
“Hmph… Enough nonsense! Get to the point!”
“I don’t believe you came all this way just to mock me before I die!”
Gu Hongchen smiled coquettishly, then leaned close to Gu Qingying’s ear and whispered:
“Hehe… I just like dealing with clever kids like you, Qingying~”
Her voice suddenly paused, then she said mysteriously:
“Now~ Qingying, let’s make a deal~”