Chapter 1 Mei Xi (I) First time traveling through time [Cultivation]...

The darkness is like sticky ink, carrying a suffocating heaviness.

Lin Jiaojiao's consciousness was like a drowning person, struggling in the abyss of chaos. The biting cold and severe pain were like an icy poisonous snake, biting her right shoulder fiercely, and she suddenly opened her eyes.

"Ugh!" A suppressed cry of pain squeezed out of his throat, and then he started coughing violently due to the strong smell of blood.

A blur of light and shadow flickered before her eyes, and Lin Jiaojiao found herself lying on a hard couch covered with rough animal skins.

The air was filled with a disgusting mixture of smells: a strong smell of blood with a hint of rust, mixed with the bitterness of some heavy herbs, and a stench so strong it was a mixture of animal stench and the smell of decay.

Where is this?

Lin Jiaojiao struggled to sit up, but the tearing pain in her right shoulder made her gasp instantly. Her vision went dark and cold sweat instantly soaked her thin inner garment. She looked down and saw that she was wearing a rough linen gown. On the moon-white cloth, there was a large dark red bloodstain on her right shoulder, which was shocking.

Some fragments of memories that did not belong to her were like broken ice picks, piercing her mind fiercely, and everything reminded her that she was in a strange world.

[Mei Xi, the daughter of Youshi clan, the new favorite of Lugui (King Jie), suffered a horrible experience in Wolf Garden, where her shoulder blade was torn off by the claws of a giant bear...]

Fragments of memory flashed through her mind, along with the image of a giant bear pouncing on her, causing her entire body to tremble.

My spirit was also greatly shocked. Wolf Garden? Giant Bear? Lugui?!

Jie of Xia?! The legendary tyrant?!

She was completely stunned and looked around in panic, only to see a bronze wine cup that was so exquisite that it didn't look like an ordinary object placed next to her.

There was still liquid in the wine cup. Seeing this, she didn't care about anything else and brought the wine cup to her with her uninjured hand. A face was reflected in the amber liquid. The dark eyebrows were like distant mountains covered with smoke, the autumn-water-sharp pupils were shimmering, the lips were red without any makeup, the skin was whiter than snow and frost, and it was breathtakingly beautiful, enough to deserve the word "disaster" in later generations.

After confirming that she was really the historical Mei Xi, Lin Jiaojiao's fear was like ice water, instantly soaking her limbs and bones. Her heart beat wildly in her chest, almost bursting out of her chest.

Did she travel through time? And become the scourge of the nation, reviled for a thousand years by later generations and ultimately burned to death—Mo Xi?! Oh my god, why did it all start so utterly awful?! She's really beautiful, though.

Just then—

[Identity confirmed: Lin Jiaojiao, bound character: Xia Dynasty, Lu Gui's favorite concubine - Mei Xi.]

A cold, flat sound, like the grinding of metal, echoed without warning in the depths of her mind. Was this the system?

[Core Mission: Survive until the end of the Xia Dynasty. Countdown: 30 days (719:59:35).]

Current Environment Scan: Threat Level: High (Lingui Bioelectric Current Active). Recommended Action: Remain submissive and adapt to the environment. Energy Reserve: 100%.

Lin Jiaojiao's pupils suddenly shrank. Good news: she'd traveled through time and space and even had her own system. Bad news: could she still live for another thirty days? A new account, don't bother.

"My Lady! You're awake!" A young girl's voice rang out in tears, filled with great surprise and fear.

Lin Jiaojiao turned her head suddenly and saw a little girl about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a coarse linen short coat and with two buns on her head, running in from the door and kneeling beside the couch, with tears on her face and her eyes full of worry and fear.

This is Chun, Meixi's personal slave.

"Chun..." Lin Jiaojiao spoke unconsciously, her voice hoarse and dry, carrying the weakness of a survivor and the unconcealable panic. She looked at the fear in Chun's eyes, a fear that stemmed not only from her injuries but also from... this environment. "Don't be afraid... I... I'm fine..." She tried to comfort him, but her voice was trembling.

The heavy footsteps came from afar, carrying an unquestionable pressure.

Two soldiers wearing simple leather armor, with expressionless faces and looking like stone sculptures, appeared at the door and swept their cold eyes over the person on the couch.

"The king has ordered! Summon the concubine to go to the wine pool and palace immediately!" The voice was like the friction of rusty iron sheets, without a trace of emotion.

Wine pool? !

Lin Jiaojiao's heart sank. The starting point of the legendary wine pool and meat forest?! But she had just woken up, and her wound was still bleeding! Damn it, did Xia Jie like Mo Xi, or was he deliberately trying to harm her?

"But...but the concubine...she is seriously injured..." Chun was frightened by the soldiers and trembled all over. His voice was as thin as a mosquito as he tried to beg.

"The king's order cannot be disobeyed!" The soldier interrupted sternly. Like a thunderclap, a huge sense of oppression instantly enveloped the entire narrow side hall.

Lin Jiaojiao felt a chill running up from her feet to her head. She looked at the soldiers' calm eyes, as if they were two ice-cold killing machines. Resist? With her current severely injured body?

[Warning: Risk of refusing order: Extremely high (termination). Recommendation: Execute.]

The system's prompt sounded coldly, like a final judgment.

She had no choice, so Lin Jiaojiao forced herself to calm down. With Chun's support, Lin Jiaojiao stood up with difficulty.

But every time she moved, the wound on her right shoulder sent a piercing pain through her, turning her face pale as paper and sweat dripping from her forehead. This was the first time she had suffered such a serious injury, and she didn't know what the current medical conditions were like. Would she have any sequelae? In fact, Lin Jiaojiao was more afraid of the wound getting infected later.

Chun carefully put a thicker plain robe on her, barely covering the bloodstains and mess on her shoulders.

As I walked out of the side hall, an even stronger smell, a mixture of blood, sweat and the stench of wild beasts, hit me in the face.

In the courtyard, several ragged slaves were struggling to drag a huge, bloodstained wooden barrel. The barrel seemed to be filled with freshly peeled animal skins and internal organs, emitting a disgusting fishy smell.

In the distance, the low roars of wild beasts and the rattling of chains could be faintly heard. That was the direction of the Wolf Garden.

Lin Jiaojiao's stomach was churning, and she forced herself not to vomit on the spot. She could only comfort herself in her heart, Lin Jiaojiao, you can do it!

The sunlight was a little dazzling, but she just felt cold all over.

Two armored soldiers, one in front and one behind, took her and Chun as if they were escorting prisoners, through the rough palace walls built with huge stones.

The air became increasingly noisy, with the sounds of stringed instruments mixed with unbridled laughter and screams, like devilish music filling the ears. The smell of alcohol in the air became increasingly strong, mixed with the greasiness of the barbecue, pressing heavily on the chest, making it suffocate.

Finally, they arrived in front of a huge palace, and the scene before them made Lin Jiaojiao suffocate instantly.

A huge pool carved from a single piece of giant crystal, filled with golden turbid wine.

The water shimmered under the illumination of palace lanterns, emitting a dizzyingly strong odor of alcohol. Countless low tables were set up by the pool, and men and women in gorgeous clothes sat on the ground, drinking and chatting, laughing and talking without restraint. Strong men with bare upper bodies carried whole roasted beef, mutton and venison through the pool, and there were dancers dancing by the pool with bold and unrestrained movements.

Extravagant! Decadent! Disgusting!

Ahhh, isn't this so unsanitary?! And it's so lewd... Honestly, this is the first time Lin Jiaojiao has seen such a scene, and she is completely shocked.

Seeing someone taking a big gulp of the wine in the wine pool, Lin Jiaojiao felt her stomach churning even more violently. The strong smell of alcohol made her eyes dizzy and she could hardly stand.

Chun held her tightly, his body shaking like a fallen leaf in the wind.

"Your Majesty! The concubine is here." The soldier announced loudly.

The noisy music and laughter instantly died down.

All eyes looked over with curiosity, scrutiny, mockery, and gloating, like cold arrows, instantly focusing on the figure at the door who was supported by a maid, his face as pale as paper, and was staggering.

Lin Jiaojiao's heart nearly stopped at the sudden spotlight. Her embarrassment reached its peak, and she could only manage a smile. Her gaze subconsciously focused on the tallest and most magnificent jade couch by the pool, where a man, incredibly tall and burly, as imposing as a moving mountain, sat. She didn't notice the sunlight dancing on the corners of her slightly raised lips, casting a small, warm glow on her pale, bloodless skin.

Her long eyelashes drooped, casting thick fan-shaped shadows under her eyes, the tip of her nose was slightly red, and a few strands of hair, dyed light golden by the morning light, stuck playfully to her sweaty cheeks.

This faint smile was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, shocking everyone.

Only Lin Jiaojiao's attention was focused on the center of the crowd, the legendary Xia Jie.

He was not wearing complicated robes, but only a black tight-fitting suit with an open collar, revealing his muscular body and a claw mark on his chest covered with thick ointment but still hideous. His face was still drunk and had a kind of laziness and brutality like a beast after a full meal. His hawk-like eyes, sharp as knives, locked onto Lin Jiaojiao in an instant with undisguised amusement and exploration.

If this were modern times, Lin Jiaojiao would not be able to stand the aura of such a man, especially since he was a king in a slave society. You have to know that although they are addicted to drinking, hunting, singing and dancing, their ability to hunt and kill most wild beasts should not be underestimated, not to mention that they already hold the power of life and death.

Just as Lin Jiaojiao was daydreaming, a huge sense of oppression came over her like a real mountain, and a strong masculine scent mixed with alcohol and a faint smell of blood aggressively invaded her senses.

"My beloved," a deep voice sounded, with a hint of deliberately drawn-out, playful tone, like a venomous snake spitting out its tongue, "Are you feeling better? Come, come to me."

Without even glancing at Lin Jiaojiao's pale face and trembling body, he casually scooped up a handful of golden wine from the pool with his large hand and offered it to her, "My beloved concubine is indeed my greatest treasure. Only you are worthy of sharing this unparalleled joy. Come, drink this fine wine from the pool with me and share this blissful bliss in this world!"

The strong and pungent smell of alcohol hit my face, like a deadly poison.

Lin Jiaojiao's face instantly turned from pale to a sickly blue-gray. Her stomach was churning. Fear mixed with physical disgust hit her like a tsunami. She almost couldn't control herself from retching.

[Alert! Host behavior has seriously deviated from core instructions. Verification: Excessive risk aversion. Prepare for warning-level electric shock punishment—]

The system's alarm instantly soared to a shrill tone, and there seemed to be cold needles gathering deep in his brows.

Drink it? That's too disgusting, right?! Yue!

Fear and instinctive resistance overwhelmed everything. At the moment when the warning of the system's electric shock stung his temples—

Lin Jiaojiao moved.

Not stepping forward! Not submitting!

Instead, he instinctively took a half step back, his slender body trembling violently with fear and weakness. At the same time, his uninjured left hand, like a frightened little animal, with desperate resistance, struggled to push away the big hand filled with wine and held to his lips.

Crash——!

The cold and sticky wine splashed over Di Lugui's sturdy chest and Lin Jiaojiao's plain outer robe. The wine beads rolled down his chest and her lapels, sparkling with a dazzling luster under the luxurious palace lanterns.

The already quiet wine garden became even more silent.

All the music stopped, the talking and laughing stopped, the dancers froze in place, and everyone seemed to be under a spell, their eyes almost popping out of their sockets, their mouths wide open enough to fit an egg.

She...what did she do?!

The wine given by the king... was spilled all over the king?!

In front of everyone?!

This... this isn't just disobedience! This is blasphemy! Are you courting death?!

But when she stood there in a mess, soaking wet, with a few strands of hair sticking to her snow-white neck, and crystal wine beads sliding down her cheeks, which looked even more pitiful in fear, her big eyes filled with fear and tears looked at King Jie in panic like a frightened fawn.

At that moment, the violent fire in King Jie's eyes froze strangely.

The girl's soaked gown outlined her breathtaking curves. The aroma of wine mixed with her faint, refreshing scent that was completely different from the luxurious wine pool. Coupled with her tearful, beautiful face that was beyond imagination... This fragmented and breathtaking scene was a style that the emperor had never seen before.

He had seen Mei Xi's charm, pride, and even coldness, but he had never seen her so... fragile and pure, which made his fingers curl up involuntarily.

The rage of being rejected disappeared without a trace, replaced by a thicker, as if blocked by something... irritability and an indescribable feeling of... disappointment?!

"Hmph!" An extremely impatient and bloody snort came out of his nasal cavity like a muffled thunder.

He suddenly withdrew his hand, as if it was forcibly pulled back by an invisible silk thread, and clenched it into a fist, his knuckles turning white. He no longer looked at Lin Jiaojiao, and the murderous intent and suspicion in his eyes were as deep as a thousand-year-old cold pond, with no bottom in sight.

Just at this moment, someone handed over the stairs.

An aristocrat dressed in gorgeous clothes, who seemed to be of high status, bravely stood up and bowed to Emperor Lugui, saying: "Your Majesty, please calm down. Concubine Yuan... She must have been injured and confused, and she was drunk, so she made a mistake... She definitely did not intend to offend Your Majesty!" There was a barely perceptible tremor in his voice, but his eyes could not help but glance at Lin Jiaojiao's beautiful profile, which was still in shock and about to cry, and a trace of pity flashed in his eyes.

His words seemed to break some taboo. Another minister beside him quickly echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, Your Majesty's face is so pale, it's obvious that she's still seriously injured. The smell of the wine pool is so strong that even strong men like us can feel it, let alone a weak woman like Your Majesty."

The unfinished words woke up many people, and they all pleaded for Lin Jiaojiao. There was nothing they could do. The beauty's tears made them feel very sorry. Both men and women hoped that the king would let this beautiful princess go.

King Jie's gaze swept over these people who were begging for mercy, and the violent fire in his eyes jumped, seeming to make him even more irritated. He stared at Lin Jiaojiao's face, which was still covered with tears and looked like a frightened deer, and his chest heaved violently.

"Since your injury hasn't healed yet, go back and rest. Don't spoil the fun here!" He waved his hand irritably as if to shoo away a fly, and his wide black sleeves brought up a fishy wind.

The huge pressure suddenly disappeared.

Lin Jiaojiao felt as if all the bones were pulled out, her legs went limp, and she almost collapsed to the ground. Chun held her tightly, and the two of them were like frightened birds. Under the gazes of countless complicated people, they staggered away from the suffocating pool of blood-red wine.

It was not until she rushed out of the luxurious and noisy palace, and until the cold night wind, carrying the fresh air of grass and trees, rushed into her burning lungs, that Lin Jiaojiao felt her heart beating again. Every beat was accompanied by tearing pain and exhaustion after surviving the disaster.

She leaned against the cold palace wall, breathing heavily, cold sweat soaking her back.

Survived...

temporary…

[Penalty interruption… Cause analysis: The core instruction scene priority was disrupted by an unexpected event, preventing the execution environment from being locked. Redundant visual data cache cleanup initiated…]