[What kind of ridiculous plot twist? After all that work, I'm still going to die?]
The system fidgeted and explained: "Actually, the original book only mentioned it casually, as it was merely a setting to fill in the gaps in the world-building."
[Besides, in the original story, Lingzhen died at the age of nineteen, so the setting that he could only live to be twenty-five was really not very noticeable. I forgot about it when I got busy...]
Lin Zhenzhen got even angrier: [You're busy? Busy figuring out how to snore louder in my head, huh?]
Seeing that she was silent with her head slightly lowered, Xuanyuan Zhao thought she was frightened and was about to say something to comfort her.
Lin Zhenzhen casually tossed the book onto the table with an air of dominance, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Ha, that's all?"
Xuan Yuanzhao leaned against the table, his gaze deep: "At first, I also thought Xuan Kang was exaggerating, but I saw his illusion. This is a calamity for all Moon Spirit Roots. Only by staying here can you escape the cursed fate."
“Utterly absurd.” Lin Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes slightly, seemingly disdainful. “If it’s just because of this, you don’t need to worry at all. I have my own way of dealing with it.”
Xuan Yuanzhao's gaze was like a sharp sword, piercing straight into Lin Zhenzhen, as if trying to see through her heart.
"Even the Star Luo royal family is helpless against this blood curse, what method do you have to break it?"
"Actually, you went back for that man in white, didn't you?" Xuan Yuanzhao slowly approached her, his face flickering in and out of the light and shadow. "Unfortunately, his consciousness had already dissipated when he left. You can't save him, and no one can save him."
"What nonsense are you spouting?" Lin Zhenzhen frowned. The Wunianmu tree was a thousand-year-old tree, blessed with longevity and good fortune; it couldn't possibly be that fragile. Xuanyuan Zhao must have been trapped in an illusion and misread things.
Lin Zhenzhen said seriously, "Think about it carefully. With the rapid increase in spiritual power, the sudden appearance of the Moon Spiritual Root, and the Horned Weasel Divine Beast, I have many things that are beyond the common understanding of ordinary people. What is breaking a small blood curse? So don't worry, I have my own opportunities."
The system cheekily chimed in: "[This so-called opportunity, also known as: a gift from my ex-boyfriend—the chosen one of destiny]"
【roll! 】
Seeing that Xuan Yuanzhao's expression had wavered, Lin Zhenzhen pressed her advantage.
"Besides, I have been lying low for more than ten years, with only one goal: to revive Xingluo and avenge the Huan clan. You have also experienced the pain firsthand, so you should be able to empathize with me. Why are you so stubborn?"
Lin Zhenzhen paused for a moment: "Xuanyuan Zhao, I came to save you, but you insist on repaying kindness with enmity, forcing me to hate you."
The tall man in front of him seemed to have been struck by an invisible blunt object, and swayed heavily.
Xuanyuan Zhao looked at her and said, "Before you came, I wandered in the illusion and saw many scenes of our time together."
He smiled slightly, and the sharpness between his brows softened a bit: "I'm sorry, I seem to have treated you very badly before, always making you cry. I did have ulterior motives in hoping you would stay."
Xuanyuan Zhao silently took the dagger from his waist, the blade flashing coldly in the room.
He moved closer to Lin Zhenzhen and gently stroked her neck: "You shouldn't have come in. You've made yourself suffer like this."
Xuan Yuanzhao gently placed his palm on Lin Zhenzhen's eyelids, then pressed the cold iron against her neck. His voice was as gentle as if he were whispering sweet nothings: "My hand is quick, you won't feel any pain."
"I may not be able to go out with you to complete the mission you are meant to accomplish."
His hands were indeed swift; as soon as he spoke, Lin Zhenzhen felt a chill on her neck. When she woke up again, she was already lying at the Spirit Refining Conference.
"Little Black?" She cupped the fluffy head in her hands. "Where is Xuanyuan Zhaoren?"
The inner demon is broken, the illusion disappears, and he should be around here.
Xiao Hei gently nibbled at her sleeve, seemingly wanting to take her somewhere.
As expected, Lin Zhenzhen followed it and finally spotted Xuan Yuanzhao in a secluded corner.
"Xuanyuan Zhao, Xuanyuan Zhao? Wake up." But no matter how she called out or patted him, he didn't respond.
"What's going on..." Lin Zhenzhen slowly extended her finger towards Xuan Yuanzhao's nose.
Quiet, cold, and utterly silent.
【Aaaaaaaah!】
The system started yelling in her head.
What are you yelling about?!
[Waaaaah, what do we do? We haven't even maxed out the affection points yet, and the male lead has already died! Does that mean our mission has failed?]
【Shut up. 】
Lin Zhenzhen remained calm and said firmly, "He will not die."
"Little Black, take me to Piling Abyss."
Deep within Piling Abyss, countless spirit beasts gathered, forming a circle that enveloped the trunk of the Wunian Tree.
Lin Zhenzhen rolled off Xiao Hei, looking bewildered.
She slowly approached, her feet stepping on the half-meter-high pile of withered yellow leaves, her heart trembling slightly.
With each step, one could almost feel the decay and decay of the Wunian wood through the rustling sound.
The horned weasel behind him also let out a mournful howl, then walked to the dry trunk of the Wunianmu tree and joined the silent memorial service.
When I left, this giant tree was lush and full of life. How could it have suddenly...?
Lin Zhenzhen arrived at the spot where Wu Nianmu had waved goodbye to her when she left. The grass there was a more vibrant green than the surrounding grass, seemingly symbolizing some kind of hope.
A piece of dead wood lay on the ground, covered with a green leaf. When Lin Zhenzhen picked up the leaf, Wu Nianmu's voice automatically played in her ear.
His first words were: "Woman, what have you done to deserve this?"
Lin Zhenzhen frowned, but listened patiently.
"What merit do you possess to not only receive the two flowers that I have produced, but also to accept this sacred mission of passing on my seed?"
seed?
Oh, could it be this seemingly ordinary fruit pit? She thought it was trash.
“Listen to me carefully, I like cool weather and plenty of rain, but not too much…” Wu Nianmu said a lot, and finally emphasized, “Most importantly, the moonlight must last for a long time.”
"Oh, wait a minute, exactly forty-nine hours have passed since you entered the illusion. Time's up. What a pity, even if you bring him out, it's too late. He's already dead. My condolences!"
Lin Zhenzhen almost couldn't catch her breath, and her hand gripping the fruit pit tightened uncontrollably.
"Hey, aren't you abusing my seed right now? You woman, can't you be a little gentler?!"
Lin Zhenzhen slumped to the ground, muttering to herself as she looked at the withered tree trunk: "I can't be gentle anymore, let's destroy it, I'm tired."
The voice from inside the leaf continued: "Actually, there is a way to save him, but you can choose not to listen. I'll give you three seconds to make a choice."
"Three, two, one. Tsk tsk, humans are indeed loyal, but it's a pity that the two of you are destined not to be together."
Wu Nianmu's tone suddenly became serious: "To save him, you must take your heart's blood."
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