Chapter 100: A Second Chance at Life

Chapter 100: A Second Chance at Life

The sky was cloaked in a thick, gray mist.

The once brightly lit and bustling teaching building now stood eerily silent.

Following the power outage, the building was engulfed in darkness, with equipment and furniture scattered across the floor. Textbooks, documents, and exam papers lay strewn everywhere, laying waste to the area as though a brutal skirmish had unfolded.

On the sports field.

A makeshift bonfire crackled to life from a heap of gathered wood, becoming the only source of light and heat in the school. A few small stools were placed around the bonfire, but at this moment, they were empty, devoid of the usual liveliness.

A lone, injured girl lay prone, utterly still, her condition indistinguishable from death.

On her head, she wore a hairband adorned with a red bow.

Xu Qingran's eyes narrowed sharply, his breath catching in his throat.

The scene from many years ago reappeared, and a mix of heaviness, panic, and grief exploded in his chest. His heart began to race uncontrollably once more.

...Could it be that he had returned?

Returned to the world where he originally existed.

Xu Qingran quickly realized something was wrong.

The surroundings, Xu Qingyao's age and the manner of her death mirrored those from his memories. At that time, he was the same age as Xu Qingyao, but now he stood here as an adult.

He was clad in everyday attire.

Without a mirror, he couldn't discern which form he now inhabited, but there was no glove or spirit mark on the back of his left hand.

Thus, it was a dream—a recurring nightmare that had ensnared him for years.

Back then, Xu Qingran was only nine years old.

He and Xu Qingyao were twins, but their personalities were worlds apart. At that time, despite enduring over two years in a post-apocalyptic world and no longer crying easily, he was still relatively timid and shy, unlike Xu Qingyao, ever the vivacious and spirited soul, who was fearless and eager to try everything.

A few days before the incident, as they found themselves encircled by a pack of otherworldly creatures, they happened to encounter adults who were out searching for resources.

The group identified themselves as college students and had been traveling together since the disaster began. After helping them escape from the jaws of the alien beasts, they took them to their campus camp.

The label 'college student' somehow always evoked a sense of trust.

At least for children, it did. Plus, she and Xu Qingran hadn't had a place to rest for several days, so after some deliberation, they decided to trust these strangers. Holding Xu Qingran's hand, she followed them back to the school base, buoyed by the rare joy of discovering allies in a world of chaos.

In the first two years after the apocalypse broke out, many people who hadn't received special abilities or had died unexpectedly.

So during that time, external resources remained somewhat plentiful. Except for a few individuals with inherently negative mentalities, most people were able to cooperate and fight against the alien races in times of crisis.

Especially since Xu Qingyao and Xu Qingran were just pitiful children who had lost their parents. During that time, they received more kindness than hostility.

At that time, they clung, perhaps naively, to a somewhat optimistic view of human nature.

And during the days they rested, the adults who had rescued them genuinely cared for them.

They prepared meals, shared precious water and maps, and even engaged in playful activities with them. Xu Qingyao, ever the vivacious and spirited soul, got along very well with them during those days, and slowly began to lower her defenses.

They never expected these people to be demons in human skin.

That day, they received news that a wave of beast tide was heading towards the school.

So everyone began preparing, stockpiling food and water, and planning to leave the camp. Xu Qingran was helping Xu Qingyao to fetch water from a clean water source behind the school.

It was Xu Qingyao who sent him there.

Little did they know that upon returning from fetching water, the bonfire area was deserted, and everyone had fled. Only the severely injured Xu Qingyao lay there, barely clinging to life, waiting for his return.

It turned out that the ability users had discovered that others' abilities could be seized and transferred to themselves.

These people had targeted Xu Qingyao's powerful lightning ability during the beast siege, gaining their trust only to betray them by attacking Xu Qingyao before fleeing.

Xu Qingyao was just a child at the time.

As abilities grow stronger with age, she couldn't yet fully control or utilize her lightning ability. Facing a group of adults with equally formidable attack abilities, a child like her stood no chance.

They believed that by mortally wounding her, they could seize her ability.

But despite their efforts, they couldn't take it. As the beast tide approached and several of their companions were injured by Xu Qingyao's resistance, they fled before Xu Qingran returned.

They even stripped them of all their resources.

Before dying, Xu Qingyao proudly told him, "Ha, they're such fools."

"They don't realize abilities can only be transferred willingly..."

Xu Qingran was jolted back to reality.

Dazed by the familiar scene, he saw the seemingly lifeless girl weakly lift her head.

Despite her severe head injury and bloodied face, she managed her usual smile and called, "Brother."

Just like when he returned with two bottles of water.

But this time, Xu Qingyao's next words diverged from his memory.

She told him, "My death isn't your fault; stop carrying it with you."

·

"...The test results are in; it's one of the aphrodisiacs recently listed by the Kayan Empire."

In the familiar hospital ward.

Xu Qingran, who passed out after injecting himself due to emotional and physical stress, was quickly taken to the medical department by Shen Tingyu. Mu Zixuan, deeply concerned about Xu Qingran's health, rushed over without eating.

Fortunately, the starship's medical equipment was on par with a hospital's, allowing Mu Zixuan to quickly identify the substance Xu Qingran had injected.

Mu Zisheng, who came to check, was stunned.

He blurted out, "Why would Young Master Xu use this on himself? Is your love life... uh, fifth brother, not going well?"

Though Mu Zisheng saw Shen Tingyu as highly capable, at this moment, he couldn't help but suspect that Shen Tingyu might not be meeting certain needs, forcing Xu Qingran to resort to such measures to... numb himself?

Shen Tingyu gave Mu Zisheng a cold glance.

The latter immediately raised his hand and mimed zipping his lips, signaling he'd stay quiet.

"Second brother, don't pick on fifth brother," the sharp-eyed Mu Zixuan caught on. "Fifth brother and Colonel Xu's relationship is still platonic, right?"

Only a few close friends were in the ward, so they spoke frankly.

Everyone knew what 'platonic' meant in this context.

Shen Tingyu's silence spoke volumes.

Mu Zisheng, who'd just vowed to stay quiet, blurted out, "Haven't you two been an item for years?"

After a beat, he added incredulously, "How did you stand it?"

"Are you even human?"

Mu Zixuan clutched the medical tablet.

He opened his mouth, at a loss for words.

Two hours had passed since Xu Qingran slipped into a coma, with no signs of waking.

Shen Tingyu gazed at the hospital bed, his face grim and mind in turmoil.

In a single day, his emotions had rollercoastered from heaven to hell.

He'd thought that after returning from the asteroid defense station, baring their deepest secrets to each other had brought their relationship to a new level, promising brighter days ahead.

But at dinner, Mu Zixuan dropped the bombshell that Xu Qingran's life was hanging by a thread.

When he went to confront him, he discovered Xu Qingran had not only shouldered this burden alone but had also injected himself with... something at a crucial moment.

Shen Tingyu's fists clenched tightly.

He didn't dare touch Xu Qingran's hand, silently enduring alone, terrified of causing harm.

He couldn't claim to be completely unangry about Xu Qingran's reckless behavior.

But shock and heartache outweighed his anger.

He recalled Xu Qingran's deep-seated aversion to needles.

It had gotten so bad it took a toll on his mental health, yet he'd pushed himself to face his worst fear for something Shen Tingyu had refused.

A pang of sadness struck Shen Tingyu.

It wasn't his 'dominator' influencing him - this grief came from deep within.

He wondered if his own overprotectiveness and hesitation had driven Xu Qingran to such extremes.

He even feared Xu Qingran's mysterious decline might be tied to his own rejection.

"Fifth brother, I've got good news and bad news."

Mu Zixuan, across the hospital bed, spoke up suddenly.

He didn't ask Shen Tingyu to choose which one to hear first and directly said, "Let's start with the good news."

"I just retested Colonel Xu's soul and mental state - the signs of life failure are gone, and he's actually starting to recover."

When Shen Tingyu raised his eyes to meet Mu Zixuan's gaze, Mu Zixuan offered a comforting smile, "The observation period lasts about a week. If he can recover and maintain the level of a normal healthy person, then it means he will be fine."

Shen Tingyu's anxious heart finally eased a little.

But he still didn't dare to fully relax and proactively asked, "What's the bad news?"

Mu Zixuan glanced at Xu Qingran, who was still in a deep sleep, and the smile on his face, which hadn't fully faded yet, held a touch of resignation.

"It's the type of drug he injected himself with."

"I just finished verifying it, and it's confirmed to be the kind that was recently completely banned, which has a probability of causing damage to the mental reservoir."

At this point, Mu Zixuan coughed lightly before continuing, "That is, if there's no deep psychic connection with him during the drug's effective period, the drug-induced surge in psychic energy, with nowhere to vent, could likely cause internal damage instead."

Mu Zisheng was stunned.

—Colonel Xu, as ruthless as they say, doesn’t even spare himself.

Shen Tingyu fell silent.

After listening to Mu Zixuan's description, he had a rough idea of what it was.

Remembering the bar he and Xu Qingran had visited, Su Wenxu had collected several doses of this drug from there at that time.

Because it was very rare, there weren't many on the market.

Xu Qingran probably got it at that time.

During his dealings with Xu Qingan, Xu Qingan might not have had only one dose as he said, but actually had another spare one.

Shen Tingyu was so furious he almost laughed.

He raised his hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, holding this pose for a while, his palm shielding his eyes from view.

He was angry at himself, and also at Xu Qingran.

Angry that he hadn't noticed this matter.

Angry that Xu Qingran had been planning this for so long.

"Other than this, the drug has no other side effects on the human body," Mu Zixuan said.

But for psychic energy users, the mental reservoir is the most important thing; once damaged, it’s practically ruined.

Mu Zixuan put an oxygen mask on Xu Qingran.

He pushed over an instrument and explained to Shen Tingyu before administering the medicinal spray, "After seeing this drug in the news some time ago, my colleagues on the starship and I conducted research on related antidotes."

After all, even though the Empire officially bans the production and use of this drug, it's still difficult to control.

Moreover, its formula has already spread to other empires and alliances.

To avoid future exposure to this drug by our comrades on the starship or friends we frequently interact with, we hoped to develop a solution.

At this point, Mu Zixuan sighed regretfully, "We haven’t yet found a way to neutralize the drug's effects without the need for psychic bonding."

"However, we have developed a psychic suppressant to alleviate the effects."

Xu Qingran is still in a coma, and it’s unclear when he’ll wake up.

Shen Tingyu couldn't possibly take advantage of someone while they're asleep...

Moreover, Shen Tingyu is clearly quite concerned about their fusion.

Since he didn't speak, Mu Zixuan didn't ask either, just focused on his own tasks: "I will now administer the relevant inhibitor to Colonel Xu via a spray. With the inhibitor's help, the drug's effect on the spiritual pool can be temporarily mitigated."

Simply put, it reduces and slows down the drug's effect, which triggers a surge and confusion of spiritual power, through inhibition.

This method can buy Xu Qingran a few more days of relief, preventing immediate damage to the spiritual pool if no solution is found.

Mu Zixuan cautioned: "However, this is only a temporary solution."

"If the issue remains unresolved, the drug's effects will accumulate, and the inhibitor's effectiveness will decrease day by day... You should know this well, Fifth Brother. So, after Colonel Xu wakes up, you two should discuss and find a solution to this issue."

Mu Zixuan had already assessed Xu Qingran's current physical condition and had nothing more to add for now.

He pulled Mu Zisheng, intending to leave these two enigmatic men their space. Before leaving, he simply told Shen Tingyu to call him immediately if the small mechanical ball monitoring the patient's data showed any anomalies.

After saying that, he dragged Mu Zisheng out of the ward with him.

The room was suddenly left with just the two of them.

Shen Tingyu waited until his emotions had somewhat calmed down before gently holding Xu Qingran's hand. After a long moment of contemplation, he could only sigh helplessly.

He recalled the few words Xu Qingran had said before the injection and sank into deep thought.

It wasn't until the door was gently pushed open from the outside that he saw the white dog, sensing its contract partner's distress, walk in.

Whether it was Mu Zixuan's deliberate arrangement or a coincidence due to medical equipment needs, Xu Qingran's ward was directly across from the black dog's. The white dog had been standing across since he was brought in, watching through the transparent door.

Seeing that Mu Zixuan and the others had left, it entered.

When Shen Tingyu turned his head at the sound, he met its cold eyes.

A man and a dog, seeing helplessness in each other's eyes. It was as if they were lamenting that they both had partners who couldn't be left unworried.

The white dog had been staying in the black dog's ward most of the time, except for eating, resting on the spot when tired.

Seeing it walk to the other side of the bed, Shen Tingyu said to it: "He's okay."

"At least, he's temporarily out of life-threatening danger now," Shen Tingyu said calmly, "As for the rest... I'll handle it."

"Don't worry."

Perhaps the white dog understood.

It shifted its gaze from him and quietly watched Xu Qingran beside him.

The atmosphere in the ward was quiet, with a hint of heaviness.

Xu Qingran on the hospital bed, whether feeling uncomfortable due to the drug's effects or disturbed by nightmares, frowned slightly, his expression not looking good.

Shen Tingyu was about to use his other hand to check his temperature when a sudden sharp pain like a needle prick shot through his head.

At the same time, along with the pain, came a voice he hadn't heard in a long time.

"Zzz—"

Like the sound of a system's electric current.

In the next moment, Shen Tingyu felt his vision go dark, and his consciousness was abruptly yanked away.

Still holding Xu Qingran's hand, he slumped down beside Xu Qingran's hospital bed and fell asleep.

The white dog noticed the faint movement nearby and raised its head.

Seeing that he had been talking to it just a moment ago and now had fallen asleep so quickly, it tilted its head, puzzled.

Meanwhile, after being abruptly "shut down," Shen Tingyu was immediately drawn into a dream.

To be precise, he was drawn into a dream.

He saw a man clad entirely in black.

He looked exactly like the one in Xu Qingran's soul memory.

And in front of him stood a girl.

She looked to be about eight or nine years old, wearing a red bow headband that appeared slightly worn and a bit grubby.

Shen Tingyu's abrupt appearance drew the attention of both, and they turned their gazes toward him.

Xu Qingran seemed in a sour mood and was also somewhat stunned, gazing at him in silence.

On the other hand, the girl, who had never met him before, naturally strode up to him, peering up at him with a confident, almost proud air, studying him for a moment before saying, "Not bad at all. You didn't let me down."

After saying that, she gave him an approving nod.

Shen Tingyu: "?"

Shen Tingyu was baffled.

Xu Qingran, equally bewildered, was just as puzzled.

Although Xu Qingran was dreaming, he still had a very clear memory of what had happened before he lost consciousness.

He was fully aware that he wasn't in reality at the moment.

However, not only did the dream make him recall the most unforgettable scene from his past life, but why had it also gone and altered the plot?

And why could this Xu Qingyao in the dream even talk to him? Was his obsession so intense that it conjured up inner demons?

These questions only deepened his confusion when Xu Qingyao walked up to Shen Tingyu with the demeanor of an old acquaintance.

—What kind of twist is this?

After Xu Qingyao finished speaking to Shen Tingyu and saw his stunned expression, she pressed a fist to her lips, puffing out her chest as she introduced herself, "Uh... should I call you brother-in-law? Hello, my name is Xu Qingyao, and I'm your boyfriend's sister."

"Biological sister, just so you know!"

Xu Qingran: "..."

Although it was Shen Tingyu's first time meeting Xu Qingyao, her words "brother-in-law" and "your boyfriend" clearly struck a chord with him.

A warm and friendly smile appeared on his usually cold face as he greeted her, "Hello, little sister."

Xu Qingran: "..."

Watching the two of them, one tall and one small, oddly striking up a conversation in his dream, acting as if they were meeting family, Xu Qingran finally couldn't hold back anymore.

Clenching his fists, he shouted angrily at the girl's back, "Xu Qingran! What on earth is going on?!"

By now, if Xu Qingran still didn't realize something was wrong, he'd be a fool.

Clearly, this place is more like a dream world. Whether it was Shen Tingyu or Xu Qingyao, they were not illusions created by his dream, but real consciousnesses.

Hearing his shout, Xu Qingyao slowly turned around.

She clasped her hands behind her back, fingers laced together, until she saw Xu Qingran's expression turn extremely serious and stern, his breathing becoming somewhat labored, his eyes red with anger, which brought the mood back to its serious tone.

"Alright."

"It's a long story, let me think where to begin."

Xu Qingyao walked back to Xu Qingran, looking up to meet his gaze.

After thinking for a while, her almond-shaped eyes curved charmingly as she smiled: "Hey bro, it's been a while."

"I've been keeping an eye on you."

Hearing this, Xu Qingran looked stunned.

As Xu Qingyao spoke, she turned her gaze to Shen Tingyu, sighing with a faint smile.

Xu Qingyao had died before Xu Qingran.

When she died, she found out she had a very aloof system.

The system told her it had been hiding inside her for a long time.

Because their world was a post-apocalyptic novel, and she and Xu Qingran were characters with fates set from birth to death.

She read the whole novel.

She knew that both her and Xu Qingran's deaths were unavoidable.

Xu Qingran was the villain.

Her death was the trigger that would push him down that path.

After she died, he'd inherit her powers, and his personality would change completely, turning him into a ruthless villain bent on destroying the world.

Xu Qingyao shot back, "That's nonsense! My brother would never do that!"

The system replied, 「Right, your brother wouldn't.」

He'd kill, but not in cold blood.

He was full of anger, but he never wanted to destroy the world.

「That's why both of you have systems.」

The system said coolly.

「Because you two are characters who've suddenly become self-aware.」

When characters become self-aware, they naturally fight against the roles the rules have given them.

However, they are still mere mayflies in the grand world. Even with self-awareness, the laws will inevitably steer their fates back to the predetermined path, preventing the world from collapsing.

Similarly, other characters in the original text who are unaware of Xu Qingran's past and his conflicts with others will hold the most stereotypical impressions of him.

He has bloodied hands, with cruel and rampant methods, and is the great villain destined to destroy the world. The protagonist group is fated to oppose him, hunting him down until his demise.

The Time-Space Administration recognizes the unfairness of such arrangements to characters who have awakened consciousness.

While they cannot alter the trajectory of the original plot, they can provide these characters with systems, allowing them to start new lives. They can live the lives they desire, guided by their own will.

Unlike Xu Qingran's transmigration, Xu Qingyao is equipped with a rebirth system.

The system grants her the authority to be reborn into other characters in the original world, inheriting the abilities of the original character while also retaining her own lightning-based powers. The only restriction is that she cannot exist in the same world simultaneously as Xu Qingran.

—After all, if both siblings were to gain such advantages and still cause trouble together, wouldn't they turn the original world upside down?

Xu Qingyao is quite accepting.

For her, as long as Xu Qingran, her deeply beloved brother, is doing well, it doesn't matter if they are not in the same world.

Because she is worried about Xu Qingran, she has not yet undertaken rebirth.

She silently watches Xu Qingran struggle and grow alone in the original world, growing into a powerful but lonely adult.

She is deeply worried about his mental well-being.

Then, after pestering her aloof system, she finally secures its approval to take a look at the world Xu Qingran is about to transmigrate to.

But what she sees shocks her.

The great villain Shen Tingyu in that melodramatic and tragic world is even crazier than her brother, on the verge of destroying the entire empire.

Xu Qingyao angrily asks the system, "Are you serious?"

"Sending my brother to such a new world, how does it differ from letting him struggle in the apocalypse?"

The thought of her poor brother arriving in this new world only to face such world-ending chaos is heartbreaking.

What if he transmigrates directly after the catastrophe? Wouldn't he have to fight for survival amidst ruins and enemies?

The aloof system expresses rare confusion: "Logically, the development of this world shouldn't have taken such a turn..."

The original goal was simple: just defeat the demon horde, protect the empire, and thereby ensure Xu Qingran's survival in the new world.

Under Xu Qingyao's strong protests, the system escalates the issue to the Administration.

This interstellar world, unlike the apocalyptic novel of Xu Qingyao and her brother, is a place largely neglected by the Administration, with no task handlers intervening for now. After much deliberation, they finally arrange the following advantages for Xu Qingran, who is about to transmigrate:

"When the time comes, my disciple will automatically trigger a special task for your brother, aside from enhancing his spiritual pool."

"By completing the task, your brother will be able to use his lightning abilities to neutralize the psychics in this world. The special task isn't difficult; as long as he successfully joins the military, it will be considered complete. Of course, with all this given to him, the final outcome will depend on his own efforts."

Xu Qingyao frowns.

What an irresponsible statement! What if her foolish brother can't handle it? What if this place is ultimately destroyed? Even if he doesn't die, how is it any different from him staying in the apocalypse?

Xu Qingyao wishes for her brother to lead a more stable life.

She begins to think of ways to change or prevent this outcome. Moreover, she has learned from the system about everything Shen Tingyu has gone through, and she feels that his descent into madness is somewhat justified.

This tragic fate inevitably reminded her of Xu Qingran.

So, she ultimately decided to tackle the problem at its source.

"We can tweak the timeline of the crossing a bit, but it won’t alter the final outcome, right?"

"Based on the life paths and trajectories I’ve simulated, these two are unlikely to cross paths. One is locked away for life in the shadowy Tower 1, while the other is a wealthy young master. The only way they’d meet is if your brother does something reckless and lands himself in there."

The system replied coldly.

Over the years, as she waited for Xu Qingran to cross over, Xu Qingyao had devoured plenty of odd books.

This sparked a strange idea: "Didn’t you mention that the intern system attached to my brother is your disciple? The tasks can be tweaked, right?"

"Getting them to cross paths is easy! Just force some kind of mission or conquest task on them!"

"And that special task of yours—it should involve Shen Tingyu, so my brother has no choice but to interact with him!"

The system: "..."

Before the aloof system could even refuse, the sharp Xu Qingyao cut in, "We’ve known each other forever—don’t even think about pulling one over on me!"

"You’ve brought up modifying tasks before in our chats."

The system: "..."

"Permissions..."

"Don’t give me that ‘no permissions’ nonsense—you’re training disciples, so your rank in the management bureau’s system has to be high, and so do your permissions!"

The system: "..."

Xu Qingyao threw a dramatic tantrum, rolling around: "Look, the outcome’s the same either way—just tweak the task instructions for your disciple!"

She kept pushing the blame: "Look how miserable we siblings are, and this world’s a disaster because of your management bureau’s incompetence—you owe us this!"

The system was growing increasingly irritated by Xu Qingyao’s endless rambling.

After careful consideration, and confirming it wouldn’t disrupt the main mission, the system reluctantly agreed to her request.

However, the mission Xu Qingyao set up for Xu Qingran wasn’t about winning Shen Tingyu’s favor.

But about Xu Qingran developing feelings for Shen Tingyu.

Xu Qingyao reasoned it out: "My brother’s personality has warped over time—he’d be extremely selective about a soulmate."

"If Shen Tingyu is really worth it, he should be able to win my brother over."

As for whether Shen Tingyu would like her brother? That wasn’t even on Xu Qingyao’s radar.

—After all, her brother is so exceptional—wouldn’t it be natural for Shen Tingyu to fall for him?

Xu Qingyao was absolutely certain of it.

The system followed through as she expected.

But it still cautioned her: "Your brother’s crossing timeline can’t be altered much—even at the earliest point, Shen Tingyu would’ve already endured years of torment in Tower 1."

"It's not certain that we can successfully make contact, and even if contact is made, your brother might still face danger. The best-case scenario would be to end up with a paranoid, cruel, and perverted individual who enjoys imprisonment and bondage."

The provocative words were delivered by the aloof system in an emotionless tone.

Xu Qingran was silent for a few seconds, then said, "So, I've decided to give Shen Tingyu the rebirth opportunity you have."

System: "?"

"Hey, I genuinely think he needs it!"

"With memories of his past life, he can better plan his new life path!"

System: "It might also lead to the world being destroyed sooner."

"It won't," Xu Qingran said with unwavering determination. "This is clearly a passive outcome for him. If given a second chance, I believe he will understand what the best choice for survival in this world is."

"And besides, there's still my brother!"

"Since the crossover world can't be changed, and we'll have to face the bad situation anyway, why not let him decide his own future!"

The system calmly stated, "I only have one rebirth authority."

"If given to Shen Tingyu, you won't be able to return."

Xu Qingran was particularly carefree: "It's okay."

"I'm not really that eager to go back."

"I wanted to become stronger before because I wanted to protect my brother."

"But without him, the meaning of rebirth and gaining double strength in the apocalypse isn't that significant, and I'd still have to worry about my brother's fate in this awful place."

Xu Qingran made a bold decision: "So, I want to give Shen Tingyu a chance to change his fate of being tortured in Tower of Evil for many years."

"If they can become friends, then... at least after he goes mad, he might still spare my brother, considering he's his friend, right?"

Despite her young age, Xu Qingran made a big decision.

The absurd part was, the system had no choice but to comply.

So Shen Tingyu was reborn.

Back to when he was 12, just after being imprisoned in Tower of Evil.

From this moment on, the world's timeline would be completely locked.

No new reincarnators would appear, and time would no longer reverse in any form.

And Xu Qingran also received a strange conquest mission.

To the small intern system, it seemed like a mission to conquer Shen Tingyu on the surface. Who would have thought that beneath this task was actually Shen Tingyu's reverse conquest 'mission'?

That's why Xu Qingran always felt that the ascension of his spiritual pool occurred at very strange nodes.

He thought it was because Shen Tingyu had some strange preferences or fetishes, drawn to his violent aesthetics. Little did he know, those moments of spiritual pool ascension, upon closer thought, were actually changes in his attitude and perspective towards Shen Tingyu.

The final one percent.

What could better prove Shen Tingyu's complete conquest of Xu Qingran than Xu Qingran's willingness to cross his own threshold for Shen Tingyu?

Xu Qingran said, "Even if we have to arrange it, it should at least be someone I genuinely like."

Only in this way can the loneliness within Xu Qingran be erased, allowing him to find joy in the mission, rather than merely being forced to accept and cope with it. And given Shen Tingyu's personality, only someone he likes can make him put his heart into the pursuit.

Xu Qingran: "Oh, I'm such a genius!"

"This way, we can achieve a mutual connection!"

"Ah!!!"

The trainee system in Xu Qingran's mind suddenly screamed.

"Holy crap!"

"Oh right, I remember now that I had a mentor when I was given this mission!"

The system screamed.

This part of the memory was completely erased and sealed away, and it wasn't until today that it was released, and it remembered everything!

System: The mentor is too shady QAQ.

Xu Qingran remained silent.

After Xu Qingran finished speaking, seeing the person in front of her remain silent for a long time, still with red eyes, she felt a bit guilty.

She thought Xu Qingran would scold her—after all, her brother has become much harsher now, completely different from his soft and gentle self in the past.

So, when Xu Qingran reached out his hand, she instinctively closed her eyes, ready to accept the affectionate scolding from her dear brother.

But Xu Qingran didn't.

He just patted her head and said in a low voice, "...I can touch you now."

Xu Qingran had many dreams about Xu Qingyao.

Most of the time, they were memories. In his dreams, he could only observe their past like a bystander.

Whether they were good or bad.

Every time he instinctively reached out to touch, he could only pass through those images, feeling so powerless.

This time, he could finally reach Xu Qingyao in his dream.

Xu Qingyao was stunned for a moment, and then she saw Xu Qingran kneel down and hug her with both hands.

He held her close, holding her tight.

Xu Qingyao's smile faded, her lips pouted, and her little hands hugged him back, bursting into tears.

She wept uncontrollably, not caring about her image, sobbing as she cried, "I... I missed you so much too!!"

The reunion of the siblings was especially touching.

Shen Tingyu, who was watching from the side and had heard the whole truth, felt a deep sense of guilt.

...His rebirth was brought about by Xu Qingran's sister, Xu Qingyao.

Because of this, Xu Qingyao was forever denied the chance to be reborn.

Shen Tingyu felt as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt, leaving him in a daze.

Would Xu Qingran forgive him, a sinner like him?

Meanwhile, Xu Qingran and Xu Qingyao hugged for a full five minutes.

Suddenly, Xu Qingran raised his hand and gave his sister's butt a firm slap, putting some force behind it.

He laughed in exasperation, "Xu Qingyao, have you lost your mind?"

"Since when do you set up a man as a partner for your brother? What kind of novels have you been reading on Jinjiang?!"

Xu Qingyao paused her crying.

She silently pulled away from the hug and stammered, "Well, I just thought... you've been in the apocalypse for so long, and so many women have tried to seduce you, but you weren't interested in any of them."

Xu Qingran shot back, "Many men have tried to seduce me too, and I wasn't interested in any of them either."

"...But mainly, Shen Tingyu is a rare gem among men. I wanted to have another brother as handsome as him!"

Before Xu Qingran could settle the score with her, Xu Qingyao quickly changed the subject, "Oh, I remember you and General Shen have some even more important matters to deal with. Go handle them, and we can talk about other things next time we meet, hahaha!"

After an awkward laugh, the girl had the system forcibly eject the other two souls from the dream space.

In the hospital room, Shen Tingyu woke up first.

The white dog was still at the bedside.

A few seconds later, the man on the hospital bed slowly opened his eyes.

The oxygen mask on his face fogged up from his breath.

His eyes were glistening.

With the redness at the corners of his eyes, there was a lingering hint of emotion.

The warmth on his hand suddenly vanished.

He watched as Shen Tingyu got up from the bedside and walked out, saying, "I'll call Zixuan to come check on you."

The man's voice sounded heavy.

As if he wasn't too happy.

Xu Qingran struggled to sit up, removed the oxygen mask, and with great effort, called out before Shen Tingyu could open the door, "Shen Tingyu."

Successfully halting the other's movement.

Seeing that he didn't turn around to face him, Xu Qingran continued in a cool voice, "You sensitive and fragile dog of a man."

"Are you thinking right now that I blame you for not controlling yourself in your past life and hate you for taking away my sister's chance at rebirth?"

"And that I will therefore despise you, cut off all ties with you forever, and never forgive you—right?"

Shen Tingyu: "..."

He withdrew his hand from the door handle and silently turned to face Xu Qingran.

His expression was as bitter as if he had eaten coptis.

Clearly, his thoughts had been guessed spot on.

Xu Qingran laughed in exasperation, "Shen Tingyu, do I really come off as such an unreasonable person to you?"